CULTURALITY Gathers in Arvika, Sweden for Fifth Consortium Meeting
Subtitle
Between May 18th and 22nd, 2026, the CULTURALITY project held a Consortium Meeting in Arvika, Sweden. Organized by the Cultural Department of Region Värmland, the schedule combined internal project reporting, methodology workshops, and regional site visits.
The core work sessions took place at the Ritz Conference Centre, starting with a reception by representatives from the Arvika Municipality. During the first day, partners presented Work Package updates on completed, ongoing and future tasks. The reporting sessions concluded with a discussion on the topic of CULTURALITY Living Labs.
On the second day, the agenda was mainly dedicated to special presentations and workshops. Region Värmland researcher Susanne Johansson Sadri conducted a photography workshop. Catherine Cassidy (University of St. Andrews) and Stefan Barkman (Region Värmland) presented the current state of the Alstret app prototype (which had been initially developed in partnership with the BrobyGrafiska school, and later iterated at a session in Universidade de Aveiro). Additionally, Frida Henriksson (Finnforest Museum) and Samuel Nilsson (Skildra Värmland), delivered a presentation on storytelling through geo-data.
Region Värmland researcher Maja Westerlund during her introductory presentation.
Samuel Nilsson (Skildra Värmland) during the presentation on storytelling through geo-data.
Region Värmland researcher Stefan Barkman presenting updates to the Alstret app prototype.
The week program included visits to regional sites, to observe local heritage practices. The group toured Arvika Konsthantverk, focusing on the Swedish applied arts tradition, and subsequently visited Brunskog Hembygdsgård (Folk Museum), a site containing more than 40 historical buildings dedicated to arts and craftsmanship. Activities at the museum included a lecture titled “Slöjd: What Is It?” by Frej Lonnfors and Karin Edlund, a visit to the workshop of linen artisan Therese Henner, and a tour through the site, guided by Folk Museum coordinator Mia Brodin.
Ceramist Joel Stuart-Beck during his introduction at the Arvika Konsthantverk.
Brunskog Hembygdsgård chair Mia Brodin showing the Folk Museum facilities.
Musician Lovisa Lundmark showcasing traditional Värmland music.
The CULTURALITY team visits the Västanå Musik och Teater (The Music and Theatre of Västanå).
Frej Lonnfors demonstrates his craft at his and Karin Edlund's workshop.
Chef Bibbi Kringlund's presentation for the CULTURALITY team, at Kulinarika.
The meeting concluded with a field trip across the Värmland region. Partners toured Västanå Musik och Teater (The Music and Theatre of Västanå) in Rottneros. The group then visited Kulinarika in Västra Ämtervik for a guided tour of Värmland’s culinary traditions, followed by a final visit to Karin and Frej’s studio.
Photography: Stefan Barkman and Susanne Johansson Sadri (Region Värmland).
(External evidence link)
