A million kroner from Danish state

The grant is an important recognition of years of work at Tønder Festival to strengthen  Danish and European folk musik, focussing on mediation, talent development and international cooperation.

"We are very grateful for this support from Christiansborg. Our thanks go to Minister for Culture, Jakob Engel-Schmidt, and the parliamentary political parties, several of whom have voted for this donation to ensure better conditions and increased visibilty for folk music," says Tønder Festival's artistic director, Maria Theessink.

Member of the Tønder Festival Foundation board, Poul-Henrik Jensen, shares the leadership's gratitude for the Ministry for Culture's gift. He says, “This support for setting up of a European office for minority music is a major recognition of on-going labours. This year's Tønder Festival will show the first fruits, and the autumn will see the project continue. The Danish parliament gave funds in 2024. Now this work has a future with this grant for a musical culture that often lives in the shade. The music of minorities represents cultural values and tells stories that must not be forgotten."

Folk Spot Denmark – an international launchpad

Since 2012, Folk Spot Denmark has offered Danish and Scandinavian folk and roots musicians international exposure. The project, set up in cooperation with the SPOT Festival, has again been selected for financial backing from the Danish Parliament, thanks in particular to the efforts of Charlotte Broman Mølbæk (SF). The grant means that Folk Spot Denmark 2026 will sail full steam ahead at next year's Tønder Festival.

This year, Folk Spot has a strong line-up with both tradition-based and contemporary music from today's folk music scene, including ULD, VÍÍK, Elias Rønnenfelt, Trinelise Væring, Thorbjørn Risager & The Black Tornado and Sunbörn.

Folk Spot is a magnet for music branch people, festival bookers and international media from all over the world, opening new doors for Danish and Nordic musicians.

Minority music from Europe

Financial support to establish an office for European minority music in Tønder will help ensure an audience for this music. The office is so far the only one of its kind, and will function under the aegis of Tønder Festival.
The office will have a mission: to register, communicate and underpin the musical culture heritage of national and ethnic minorities in Europe, and the grant from the Ministry for Culture will provide the means to continue and expand these activities both locally and  internationally.

Note:

• Folk Spot Denmark 2025 will be held 29th - 30th August during Tønder Festival.

• The project is supported by Denmark's Ministry of Culture and is run in tandem with SPOT Festival.

• The European office for minority music was conceived in Tønder in 2024.
  Folk Spot musicians in 2025: ULD, VÍÍK, Elias Rønnenfelt, Trinelise Væring, Thorbjørn Risager & The Black Tornado og Sunbörn.

• The money comes from the The Grant Pool (Udlodningspuljen.) The relevant law states that the Ministry of Culture shall distribute the funds for cultural goals. The money originates in the Danish State gambling company (Danske Spil A/S). All the political parties in the Danish Parliament are behind the agreement.

Tønder Festival 27th, 28th, 29th and 30th August 2025

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