We Have the Fire Inside Us
At the opening ceremony of ISFiT 2011, the host of the evening declared that we need no torch carrier to open this arrangement. We have the fire inside us.
Text: Eline Hansen Næset
Photo: fg.samfundet.no
Date: 2011-02-12
When participants and volunteers entered Storsalen in Studentersamfundet Saturday night, there were smiling faces, colorful garments and cameras flashing all over the place. This was the moment that everyone had been waiting for: ISFiT was about to start for real.
Foto: fg.samfundet.no
Professor Kyra Gaunt
-We Are Busy Saving the World Here
Mads Bones is a well known actor in Trondheim, and hosted the evening. He described how the idea of an international student festival became a reality 20 years ago. The crowd agreed heartily to his comment that “we are busy saving the world here”.
The first cultural performance was the first scene of a production called “Grass” by the dancers Kine Kvarme and Luis Della Mea. It was received with laughter and wondering.
Global Health Unites Us
Then it was time for the official opening, and a seemingly pleased President, Jørgen Westrum Thorsen, entered the stage. -The energy and anticipation in this Grand Hall is unique, he stated. – We create the ideas and attitudes that will change the future. Global health affects all of us, from the day we are born to the day we die. It unites us. We should recognize the problems, but focus on the solutions.
The President thereby declared ISFiT 2011 open, with great expectations, joy and pride.
Foto: fg.samfundet.no
Team Me
-You’re already great
The men’s choir Pirum’s performances are always appreciated by Studentersamfundet’s regular visitors. Also the participants from all over the world enjoyed their singing at the Opening Ceremony.
After them, Dr. Kyra Gaunt was handed the microphone. This teacher and award-winning author and journalist first shared with the audience a song called “Peace”, about changing the world by starting with oneself. She said that she was supposed to talk about the importance of collaboration amongst students, but as she gazed at the crowded hall, she declared:
-I think you’ve already got that handled. And you’re already great. She went on by urging all students and participants to listen to each other. Listen for greatness. As she said, listening is the best gift to give another human being.
Team Me Entertained Team ISFiT
It was getting close to the end of the ceremony, and Bones made everyone in the hall hold hands with the ones beside them, lift them towards the ceiling and say that “we are ready to make a change”.
The Norwegian, energetic pop band Team Me certainly raised the mood to even higher levels of excitement and joy. At the end of their performance, people left their seats to join the dancing crowd on the floor in front of the stage.
When the official program was over, the ISFiT logo was shown on the ceiling, accompanied by the sound of a beating heart. The audience was ecstatic, and spontaneously people started to shout “ISFiT” rhythmically, which then turned into singing.
Is this what they call the ISFiT feeling?
