Horizon Foundation is a member of The European Mela Network, which is a network of individuals and organizations arranging Melas in Europe. Its purpose is to promote the development of artistic quality and to expand knowledge and experience. For instance was the performances of the Rang Puhar Group at the Oslo Mela a result of network cooperation, facilitated by Edinburgh Mela. Rang Puhar went on a tour in Europe and performed at different Melas and festivals. Horizon will in 2005 also try to facilitate such series of performances. It is worth mentioning that London Mela will take place only a few days before Oslo Mela 2005. Our experience is that it easier to obtain funding for groups going on tours than for just one or two performances.

Tourism and Mela as an Information Centre

By giving organizations and institutions within the fields of culture, leisure, education and media an opportunity to meet with the public, Horizon Foundation wanted to strenghten the experience of Mela as a meeting place of knowledge. At Mela 2002 at City Hall Square, the public could meet with representatives of various public institutions as well as private organizations. Travel agencies were also present, and Horizon would like to extend this part of the festival to include more information on travel to cooperating countries. The potential for tourism from Norway should not be underestimated. Though Norway is a small country, its inhabitants are at the top of the world list when it comes to travel abroad.

Much more than music

It should be emphazised that Mela is much more than a music festival, and that Horizon Foundation works in many fields. Theatre has a big place, and traditional as well as modern arts and handicrafts are presented. We have even had fashion shows presenting modern Asian-inspired bridal gowns!

In November 2004 we embarked on another project in cooperation with Norwegian Railways, namely to show a photo exhibition in Oslo Central Station which consists of portraits from the Islamic world and is intended to counter prejudices against Islam. Around 80.000 people walk through the station area every day. The exhibition is now touring the country, especially aimed at schools.

Media coverage

The media coverage, both nationally and internationally, has been extensive. Through a cooperation with international TV companies, reports from Oslo Mela have been aired both in Europe, America and Asia. Norwegian national TV brought reports in their main news programmes.

The public: A wide range

At Mela 2004, it is estimated that 40% of the audience was ethnic Norwegians. Around 60% of the audience were women and children. Media as well as social researchers have characterized Mela as one of the first successfull venues where people meet unconditionally to experience a programme which is composed to appeal to a wide range public. Through this, Horizon has refuted the tendency to socially exclude minorities from the main-stream arenas.

Horizon at the UN

It is this context that Horizon was commissioned by United Nations Habitat in its World Forum last year in Barcelona to present our project ”Reclaimin Public Spaces – Mainstreaming Minorities.” Our initiative in Barcelona to launch a cooperation between Norwegian, African and Canadian hip-hop artists was highly appreciated by international media.

Multi-Mela 2005

When Horizon Foundation was established i 2001, the idea was that Norwegian-Pakistani cultural exchange should be the first step in a process which should develop new methods for international cultural exchange, also with countries in other parts of the world. In 2005, Norway celebrates its 100 years as an independent nation. Horizon feels that the jubilee is an excellent occasion for emphasizing the importance of minorities in the society which has emerged during those 100 years. A "Multi-Mela" will therefore take place in Oslo in August 2005, in which minorities from several countries will be able to make their voices heard in the Norwegian society.

The Multi-Mela 2005 will include artists from among other countries India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Somalia, Turkey, Vietnam and Iran. Our aim is to reach as many of the main immigrant groups in Norway as possible.

Funding and Financing

Horizon is partly financed by Parliament and Government. In addition, Oslo City and various institutions contribute. It has, however, been a struggle ever since the start to obtain adequate funding. For instance, hundres of volunteers have been working without pay, artists have reduced their fees, foreign governments have covered travel costs and airline companies have reduced ticket prices. The Multi-Mela 2005 also suffers the same constraints. Even though Horizon is likely to become a permanent post on the state budget, we are dependent on contributions from many sources, not the least being the goodwill of the states from which the participants come.

Other activities 2005-07

Horizon is in the process of organizing a variety of workshops aiming at empowering minority artists, furthering their cooperation with ethnic Norwegian artists and arranging a number of activities for young people and children. Horizon´s aims for the period of 2005-2007 are:

To obtain premises where studio facilities can be available for regular workshops and artistic cooperations;

Establishing a venue for bi-monthly seminars;

Starting a resource development project: A guiding and information service in order to enhance the participation of minorities in mainstream cultural activies This includes writing applications, developing plans, networking and facilitating the enactment of projects; and

To plan and carry through Melas 2005 and 2007.