Tromsø–Gaza 25 år: Et løfte om håp og vennskap

Throughout 2026, Tromsø will show that we are a city that stands up, that is fearless, and that takes friendship seriously: Together we are strong! The arts and cultural scene is coming together to celebrate and strengthen ties to Gaza – with film, music, theater, exhibitions, conversations, and more. This is more than an anniversary. It is about humanity and making room for people who have lost everything. 

"This anniversary is about friendship, about taking friendship seriously and looking forward. It is also about protecting cultural heritage, which has no borders and is our common property. It is about humanity – giving people who lost everything a place. FANTASTIC THAT Tromsø has brought the team together. It is already 1-0 to Tromsø for its commitment, it will be exciting to see how far we can take it together during 2026." - Stina Högkvist, Director, Nordnorsk Kunstmuseum

The Northern Norwegian Art Museum will open an exhibition in June 2026, curated by Palestinian artist Carmel Alabbasi, project manager Charis Gullickson.

Art as a bridge builder

The twinning arrangement between Tromsø and Gaza was established in 2001 with the aim of promoting understanding, creating dialogue and maintaining mutual social and cultural contact. Over the past 25 years, the connection has been characterised by great activity: mutual visits, cultural exchanges for youth and young adults, as well as solidarity work – particularly through the exchange of health workers.

After two years of destruction and genocide, Gaza lies in ruins. Many institutions are gone, and the city must be rebuilt. The question we ask ourselves is: What can we do? How can art and culture contribute to the reconstruction – and how can the 25-year friendship be a resource in this work?

“I have lived in Tromsø for 11 years, and it gives me great hope to dedicate 2026 to Gaza and our friendship after the challenges of the last two years. This is a significant example of solidarity through art and culture, including film, music and theater. We must show the positive side of Gaza that we all envision. We will work hard to preserve this hope, and pray for a better reality, and I hope to one day celebrate the next anniversary in Gaza, where we can showcase Tromsø and its love for art and culture.”

-  Mohammed Aljabali, from the reference group for Tromsø – Gaza 25 years , resident of Tromsø and artist from Gaza; project manager for the Gaza project at Tvibit

Disse organisasjonene og institusjonene er med. Vi håper mange flere vil hive seg meg i løpet av 2026:
Arctic Pride
Arktisk filharmoni
Hålogaland Teater
Insomnia Festival
Kurant
Nordnorsk Kunstmuseum
Norges arktiske universitetsmuseum og akademi for kunstfag
Norsk Forfattersentrum Nord-Norge
Palestinakomiteen i Tromsø
Perspektivet Museum
Snakk for deg sjøl
TIFF Tromsø Internasjonale Filmfestival
Tromsø Kulturhus
Tromsø Kunstforening
Tromsø World Festival
True North 2026 – Europeisk ungdomshovedstasd
Tvibit
Her finner du logo
Referansegruppe for Tromsø–Gaza 25 år er:
Mohammed Aljabali, Tvibit
Marte Aasen, Insomnia festival
Tuva Johansen, Arctic Pride
Charis Gullickson, Nordnorsk Kunstmuseum