SONIC DIPLOMACY LAUNCHES TO FOSTER CULTURAL EXCHANGE BETWEEN DENMARK AND JAPAN 

Bridging cultures through art, democratic dialogue and technology: Introducing Sonic Diplomacy

Building on the Strategic Partnership and the Joint Strategic Work Program between Denmark and Japan, the cultural project Sonic Diplomacy – initiated by the Danish Embassy in Tokyo – is set to move the cultural exchange between the two nations forward. This project brings together artists, cultural operators, and public actors from Denmark and Japan to explore the intersections of technology and democratic dialogue in an artistic frame.

Sonic Diplomacy
Sonic Diplomacy offers a diverse array of activities including concert lectures, participatory performances, audio-visual experiences, behind-the-scenes concerts, hybrid workshops and the use of social media as an interactive platform for cultural exchange. These formats aim to inspire dialogue from multiple angles, highlighting resonance between Danish and Japanese approaches, challenging existing perspectives, and discovering dissonance where it exists as ways to deepen the understanding between the two countries.

Ambassador Peter Taksøe-Jensen says:
“In a world where technology and democracy are ever-evolving, Sonic Diplomacy is an original initiative that fosters understanding and collaboration between Denmark and Japan. It is my hope that this project not only strengthens our cultural ties but also encourages mutual reflection on the role of technology in democratic societies.”

Project highlights and activities:

The project encompasses a variety of unique cultural activities, each designed to explore the intersections of democracy, art, and technology:

·         Sing Along: Social media campaign with Danish artists’ covers of their selected favourite “højskolesang”. This campaign will highlight the democratic qualities of the Danish Folk High School movement through “Højeskolesangbogen” in a Japanese context.

·         "Jazz – The Perfect Democracy": World-renowned Danish jazz musician Niels Lan Doky and his trio bring their acclaimed concert lecture to Japan, using jazz as a metaphor for democracy and collaboration.

·         AI and Democracy: The innovative group Kemaca Kinetic will challenge the growing trend of AI-generated music, showcasing the beauty of human connections and creativity over algorithms.

·         Technology’s Voice: Johanna Sulkunen investigates how emerging technologies can amplify marginalized voices, fostering new spaces for democratic dialogue.

·         Creating platforms for future collaborations: JazzDanmark and Tempi will support the above activities on the theme, while building the foundation for future international cultural collaborations between Denmark and Japan. Their work will result in an event in Denmark, where relevant Danish stakeholders are invited to learn from their findings in Japan.

Sonic Diplomacy aims to use different cultural forms of expression and cultural exchanges as facilitators to engage in conversations about democracy and technology. The different Danish and Japanese points of departure are considered a positive trigger for intriguing activities in a joint cultural space. The overall objective is to contribute towards a development where the use of technology is responsive to societal norms and objectives, as well as to contribute to enable a democratic dialogue at different levels of society – not limited to the formal democratic institutions.

What’s next?
As Sonic Diplomacy launches, the project will actively engage communities in both countries, promoting wide-reaching participation and collaboration. Highlights of Sonic Diplomacy include concert lectures, workshops, audio-visual installations, performances and much more. Local governments in Japan that already share Memorandums of Understanding or sister city agreements with Denmark will play a pivotal role in this effort, reinforcing the growing diplomatic and cultural ties between the two nations as well as furthering the border transcending democratic debate.

Make sure to follow the social media channels of the Danish Embassy in Tokyo to stay updated.

This press release marks the beginning of a collaboration with our project partners, JazzDanmark and Tempi, whose expertise in their respective genres will serve as the foundation for selecting and inviting handpicked Danish artists. These artists will compete by presenting their musical interpretations from the Danish Folk High School Songbook – the winners’ covers to be shared with the embassy’s Japanese audience on social media platforms.

The project is supported by the Ministry of Culture and The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Denmark.

For further information and updates on Sonic Diplomacy, please contact: [email protected]