ARCTICulators: Soetkin Baptist
Foto: Martin Losvik
What exactly is an ARCTICulator? The innovative people of the Arctic who live life in creativity, and much more…
We met up with artist Soetkin Baptist. Soetkin is originally from Belgium, now based out of Bodø. How did you end up moving here?
It is a story that started in 2013. It has been a very intense, exciting, sometimes tiring and scary journey. I came to Norway without a ‘plan’. I didn’t have work here, didn’t speak the language. I ended up in Steigen; I learned to speak as soon as possible and soon got many friends, took over the lovely Steigenchoir and started in the local music school. Although I lived in Steigen I was still working (performing) on a regular basis in Belgium and Europe. I was – and still am – convinced it is possible to live and work up here and keep my network and concerts (for which I have been working over many years) in Belgium. After a year in Steigen I wanted to spread my contacts in Norway and get into Bodø cultural life. I auditioned to be part of Vocal Art and I got to work with pianist Sveinar Aase. Musikkfestuke gave me the opportunity to perform with my own project. From there on the work kept accumulating. I felt there were many opportunities in Bodø. In the end I moved to town.
In all honesty, it has been possible for me to thrive here both because I love working here, but also because I got to keep singing in Belgium and Europe. I think the combination works perfectly as I once in a while need to get out of the Arctic, in order to enjoy coming back.
Culture is a big word, and in Bodø2024 we believe culture is in everything we live and breathe. Can you point out what it is in Arctic culture that inspires you most in your daily work?
I think there is one thing that always strikes me up here: space. It is everywhere. In nature of course (that’s a given), but also in daily life. It is everywhere: at the airport, in the shops, on the train, at the doctor’s, in a café, at the harbor, in the sauna… There is just less people than where I grew up. Belgium is packed. Lovely but packed. For me it feels as if here, I am surrounded by air and void. Also the working rhythm is as slow or as fast as you want it to be. Gives also the feeling of space. I really like to be busy, I absolutely love my work, yet when I have a busy schedule here it still feels more relaxed than when I lived in Belgium. And I feel that I can also choose to slow down when I feel the need. That is luxurious.
What type of cultural acitivites in the region do you enjoy personally, and what makes you feel connected to your surroundings?
I love taking part in the small town atmosphere . I enjoy most watching people walking by while I have a coffee in between rehearsals, meetings, concerts… It inspires me. I enjoy watching colleagues play or sing concerts a lot of course! The library is my favorite spot to hang with my daughter. Through my profession I am in constant touch with culture. I love traveling by boat to Steigen to conduct the choir on Wednesday evening. This is my job, but I love both the trip and the fact that there is such a fantastic bunch of motivated singers in Steigen that I get to work with. This is culture in Norway for me. Remote places and possibilities to enjoy culture at its best.
Bodø2024 defines you as a portrait of ARCTICulators, joining the new northern movement. What advice would you like to give to other international movers joining the Arctic culture?
Learn the Norwegian language and you get friends! They’ll take you out on hikes, and are so inclusive. I learned most of Norwegian lifestyle by talking Norwegian. I felt that it was the key to my happiness here. People were instantly charmed and I felt welcome. Over the last two years I have also been very busy building ‘bridges’ between my cultural activities in Belgium and my work here. I invited Vocal Art on a tour in Belgium and I get as many projects that are touring in Belgium up here to do concerts as well. Big Bang Festival wil soon come to Stormen, Ratas Del Viejo Mundo wil join Vocal Art in January 2022 etc. I think culture is something that runs in every direction. In my life it is from Belgium to Norway and vice versa. I look very much forward to keep on doing this and I am totally overwhelmed and grateful when I think of all the possibilities I got by moving here.
Who should be featured next as a good ARCTICulator in the region? Let us know by messaging us!