Music as shared ritual, nature as the womb of its birth. A space where the ancient human yearning for connection finds new life through rhythm and sound. Within the luscious greens of the Forgotten Valley in Numedal, Norway, we dive into a four day gathering where primal instincts and contemporary yearnings come together as one.
But Monument is not only a festival. It was born in 2013 as a digital platform and podcast series with the goal of making techno more accessible to a broader and more diverse audience. Initially focused on promoting Norwegian artists, the platform quickly expanded as international contributions poured in, sparking the growth of a global community united by a shared love of music.
From platform to festival: connecting community at the core
Their early ventures into the physical realm saw its founders experimenting with local events and over time, a vast network of enthusiastic contributors formed, each bringing unique skills to the table—from building stages to creating visual art. And as a natural consequence of their strong desire to form and nurture a community of knowledge and engagement, in 2019 came the first edition of the festival. Today, the close-knit gathering counts a little less than two thousand people. Consisting of a considerable amount of loyal returning visitors, new communities, and solo-travelling music enthusiasts, this crowd grows together like one big family throughout the festival.
And this call for deeper connection goes even beyond the festival itself. Monument’s mission has always centered on providing practical forms of education and fostering engagement, a commitment exemplified by their recent collaboration with Immersions—an initiative supported by the European Union’s Creative Europe programme. This project aims to create a European hybrid music network that bridges geographical and economic divides.
'We walk the festival attendees' journey pretending to be guests'
A collective ritual in nature’s womb
Whether through the podcast connecting listeners or the festival itself uniting dancers, every element is designed to foster a shared experience. Every year, Norway’s forests witness the revival of a collective ritual where diverse cultures, influences, and realities converge in the name of music. The festival isn’t just a gathering of dancers and artists; it’s a consciously crafted experience driven by founder Henning Karwowski and his team. ‘When we design and set up this space, it takes about one and a half weeks, but we plan for it a year in advance’, says Henning. After each festival, the team takes a brief one-month break before jumping back into planning the next edition. Years of experience have taught the Monument crew that preparation is the key to a smooth flow. During the festival, daily planning sessions allow the team to assess logistics and refine the guest experience: ‘We have meetings every day on how to organise everything. We walk the festival attendees' journey pretending to be guests to test the whole area and really understand if something is missing.’
This attention to detail ensures that Monument remains a skilfully adaptable institution imbued in an immersive environment, where everyone feels both engaged and cared for. Something that becomes apparent when entering the Forgotten Valley. A sense of peace and unity strikes upon you as you enter the organically set-up areas. And of course, the artists themselves are integral members of this community, with Monument’s core foundation being laid on showcasing talent across various formats, from visual art to sound. Undeniably, ‘Monument is all of us together’, the founder adds with a smile. The festival's stunning natural setting only deepens this communal spirit, creating a harmonious backdrop where music, lights, and nature merge effortlessly: ‘Here, music is our brush and nature is our canvas.’
Crafting synchronous experiences through diverse sonic worlds
As the first brush strokes dip into that palette of greens, so our journey begins. Nestled among pine trees is the Varden stage, almost as if nature itself forms a protective cocoon. Its comforting touch comes alive in the morning through downtempo and dub fantasies of artists such as Henrii Havaas or Parisian D.K., but also Tikiman & Richard Akingbehin. And as the day progresses, the music evolves in tandem with the atmosphere, flowing naturally from softer, meditative sounds into darker sonic realms. Here, Sunju Hargun, DJ MARIA., and Timnah soak their brushes into textural territories and brimming low ends, accompanying our minds and bodies into crepuscular mysticism. As the night falls, a transformation occurs. The space you remembered doesn’t seem to exist anymore: everything mutes into an illusion of light and colour.
Crafting synchronous experiences through diverse sonic worlds
As the first brush strokes dip into that palette of greens, so our journey begins. Nestled among pine trees is the Varden stage, almost as if nature itself forms a protective cocoon. Its comforting touch comes alive in the morning through downtempo and dub fantasies of artists such as Henrii Havaas or Parisian D.K., but also Tikiman & Richard Akingbehin. And as the day progresses, the music evolves in tandem with the atmosphere, flowing naturally from softer, meditative sounds into darker sonic realms. Here, Sunju Hargun, DJ MARIA., and Timnah soak their brushes into textural territories and brimming low ends, accompanying our minds and bodies into crepuscular mysticism. As the night falls, a transformation occurs. The space you remembered doesn’t seem to exist anymore: everything mutes into an illusion of light and colour.
Yet the festival’s organisers understand the need for variety and downtime. Enter the Haven stage, a smaller space offering ambient, experimental, and house-oriented sets—ideal for those moments when festival-goers need a break from the main stage’s intensity. ‘It’s important for people to have a place to rest, connect, and recharge without missing out on quality soundscapes’, Henning notes. The festival’s flow is meticulously planned, with each day’s programme designed to match the audience’s energy levels. For example, Thursday serves as a “community day”, with relaxed performances that ease attendees into the festival’s atmosphere, while Sunday is all about emotions, so music and lights will aid this mood and accordingly bring the journey to a soulful close.
'Here, music is our brush and nature is our canvas.’
This broad but punctual curation ties into a deeper idea: rhythm as the pulse of humanity. From acoustics to electronics, rhythm has connected us all across generations and cultures. “Humans have always found a way to create a beat. Primitive humans in caves likely produced repetitive rhythms to induce trance states. It’s in our DNA,” Henning reflects. This blend of the primal and the modern is vividly showcased in performances like that of Iranian percussionist Mohammed Reza Mortazavi, a true master of drums—one of the oldest and purest forms of creating a beat.
‘We’ve always been open-minded about music, from house to techno, and over time we’ve found our niche while remaining flexible’, the initiator concludes. Genres can be limiting, and despite finding their niche, Monument embraces the full spectrum of electronic music refusing to be confined by restricting titles. The festival’s musical journey has clearly proved to reflect this openness.
Wellness and wholeness: nourishing body and mind
However, Monument as a festival goes beyond the music itself; it’s a holistic experience designed to nurture both body and spirit. The festival’s wellness offerings, from saunas to cacao and chai tents, are integral to creating a balanced environment. In the mornings, local expert Tuva Bjørnstad facilitates practices such as laughter-breathwork, walking meditation and eye gazing. Ground Tactics step in to enhance the festival’s focus on well-being by introducing Ultra Heaven, a Berlin-based team specialising in tuning forks for human tuning. Throughout the whole event, their practitioners provide, teach and conduct ‘Light Body Activations’- personal somatic sessions that integrate sound for a deep and harmonious inner experience.
‘We’ve always focused on making this a constructive event’, Henning asserts. ‘We focus on providing healthy choices and activities that encourage self-care.’ By emphasising wellness alongside music, Monument offers a space where to reconnect with themselves and others; it is a place of discovery and growth where the mind and body can be nourished in harmony with and in support of the festival’s communal ethos.
With an educational purpose at its heart, Monument becomes a true collective ritual celebrating the diversity of culture and art. Henning and his team have succeeded in creating an honest experience where the festival experience translates into a form of community building, a place where people come together not just to dance, but to experience a deeper connection to each other and the world around them. Because in the end, music has always served as a bridge between the individual and the universal.
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