Perhaps you have seen a video of the Ukrainian soldier singing the song "Stefania" in the Azovstal bunker during the Russian siege, while the bombs fall during an attack in Mariupol. One of many powerful examples of how singing is used in times of crisis to express both resistance and unity. Now, a new research project led by Katrine Frøkjær Baunvig will teach us more about how community singing affects social resilience in times of crisis across the Baltic countries and Scandinavia.

The project is called "CRIES - CRIses Established Singing. Investigations into the Inherent Potential of Collective Singing in Times of Social Crises in the Scandinavian and Baltic Regions" and is supported by a HERA grant (Humanities in the European Research Area) of DKK 10.1 million.

"This project is a further development of a research project that Lea Wierød Borcak and I are working on, where we examine the Danes' views on community singing historically and today. We are often met with statements that it is a characteristic of Danes that they sing. But it is not. Many other peoples appreciate and find identity in singing together. And we have long wanted to take a comparative look at the material. We will have the opportunity to do that now with the new project," says Katrine Frøkjær Baunvig and elaborates:

"The CRIES project investigates whether – and if so how – community singing can help communities stand stronger in times of crisis. By examining how singing affects both unity and exclusion, we hope to provide new knowledge that both academics and public decision-makers can use. In addition, we want to create a digital library where all results will be available so that both future researchers and the public can benefit from them."

Urgent need for research on how communities can be built and strengthened
The new project focuses on the historical and contemporary significance of community singing in Scandinavia and the Baltic States in the period 1800-2027. The project combines history, digital and computational methods, as well as musicology and ethnography to understand the complex role of community singing in society.

In connection with the research project, collaboration will also be initiated with a large number of external partners such as the major national libraries and civil society organisations with a focus on song culture, including a collaboration with Europe's largest choral festival, European Choir Games Aarhus 2025.

"Europe today faces complex challenges ranging from geopolitical conflicts and the climate crisis to social isolation. In light of these challenges, the need for research into how we can build and strengthen communities is more urgent than ever. It is precisely in this context that the CRIES team wants to explore the importance and potential of community singing in today's society," says Katrine Frøkjær Baunvig.
 

Contact

Katrine Frøkjær Baunvig, Head of Center, Associate Professor
Center for Grundtvig Studies
School of Culture and Society
Aarhus University
Mail: baunvig@cas.au.dk
Mobile: +45 9352 1770