We have been incredibly busy processing all this year’s applications – we received approximately 260 applications in total! The vast majority, 207 to be exact, were for BIRCA Eco MATTER, and they truly came from all over the world. BIRCA Kids and Senior, which were only open to Denmark-based performing artists, also received a significant number of applications, making the selection process challenging.

 

I have personally read all the applications and felt both deeply humbled and moved by the many artists who took the time to share their artistic visions and saw BIRCA as the ideal place to unfold them. Our three Danish consultants – Tora Balslev (who received the most applications), Camilla Stage, and My Grönholdt – had to make difficult decisions, carefully considering the composition of the groups to ensure inclusivity. We even managed to squeeze in an extra Kids residency in an open week and offered duo applicants free space in two additional weeks. Our Island Connect applications were reviewed together with our project partners – those who will be hosting and working with the artists.

 

Island Connect Participants

• Tanya Montan Rydell, together with Esther Wrobel and Lucia Jaen Serrano, will participate in our Artistic Residency. In addition to BIRCA, they will travel to Ireland and receive support in developing aerial dance at the IACC center in Limerick.
• Camilla Siddu, a hip-hop dancer, will join the Co-creation residency in Mallorca. Based in Copenhagen, she interestingly grew up on Sardinia – another of our partner islands.
• Christina Jonsson, a visual artist based on Bornholm, will take part in the Islander Focus residency in Madeira and Vis, continuing her research into toxic masculinity and queerness on the islands.

All three will first participate in our Springlab in April on Tenerife – a week of learning and international exchange.

 

BIRCA Eco MATTER

Held from 28/4–11/5–25 Facilitated by Tora Balslev.

 

Selected participants:

• Alicja Czyczel / Poland
• Camilla Brogaard / Denmark + Germany
• Meline Saoirse / France + Portugal
• Oliver Sale / Norway + UK
• Robert Lisek / Germany
• Francine Dulong / Canada

Reading the applications has been an inspiring process that has given us new ideas for future initiatives.

 

BIRCA Kids

Expanding to three weeks this year. Once again, facilitated by My Grönholdt.

 

Selected participants:

• June 30 – July 6: Carolina Bäckman with Jan, Kim (10), and Ilon (5), plus Andrea Deres with Kristian and Lau (3).
• July 7 – 13: Sara Vilardo with Sonja, Sofie, Thelma (4), and Nemo (4), plus Sophie Grodin with Max and Alvin (5).
• July 14 – 20: Katrine Karlsen with Viktor and Rita (12), plus Rebecca Arthy with Hugo (12), and Sif Hymøller with Mads, Solveig (10), and Folke (7).

BIRCA Kids is currently being developed as part of a European collaboration where we aim to exchange experiences in supporting parents in the performing arts while focusing on children’s creativity in a supportive framework. The first phase includes funding from Perform Europe for a performance on this theme, which will be presented during Bornholm’s Culture Week.

 

BIRCA Senior

Launching for the first time 1–14/9-25. Facilitated by Camilla Stage.

 

Participating artists alongside Camilla:

• Ellen Kilsgaard
• Katrine Faber
• Line Svendsen
• Pernille Koch
• Peter Vadim

We are eager to gain insights and see how this new initiative unfolds.

 

Other exciting projects in 2025

We are also excited to welcome artists as part of the Icodaco project, which focuses on developing dance and choreography, as well as a special residency collaboration for performing artists from the SWANA region.