Kai Amberla

After graduating from university with an Master of Arts in world literature and musicology and completing conservatory training in classical guitar, Kai Amberla initially pursued a career in teaching. In 1990, he was appointed Editor-in-Chief of Rondo, Finland’s only professional classical music magazine. In 1995, he was invited to assume the post of Executive Director of the Association of Finnish Symphony Orchestras. In 2002, Amberla was appointed as the Executive Director of the Finnish Music Information Centre (Fimic). In 2007, he moved on to become the Executive Director of Finland Festivals, a collaboration forum of nearly a hundred of Finland’s leading arts events.

Kai Amberla is also a consultant to a number of Finnish music foundations and organisations. He is active internationally both at the Nordic Baltic Festival Platform and the European Festivals Association. Additionally, he serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA).

Finland Festivals

Finland Festivals Association brings together the country’s finest festivals, providing music for all tastes, together with the most fascinating dance, theatre, literature, visual art, film and children’s cultural events. Finland Festivals is a non-profit organisation that serves the culture and tourism sector, representing the collective interests of festivals, including promotion and public relations, information gathering, research and training. 

Finland Festivals works to improve operating conditions for festivals and to influence government policy in its sector by establishing close ties with parties that formulate relevant public policy.

Finland Festivals assists in promoting festival events in Finland and abroad and improving their expertise by organising training, consulting, networking events and brainstorming. Finland Festivals provides a collective voice for the festival sector and serves as a leading specialist and unparalleled information source to be consulted whenever policy decisions are taken that affect festival operations.

Vigdis Jakobsdottir

Vigdis Jakobsdottir is the outgoing Artistic Director and CEO of the Reykjavik Arts Festival, Iceland’s leading multi-arts event, which she has led since 2016. She is committed to the power of the arts to challenge perceptions, influence societal change, and celebrate humanity. Vigdis believes that access to the arts should be available to everyone, not just the privileged few.

Before leading the Reykjavik Arts Festival, Vigdis directed performances at the National Theatre of Iceland and with independent theatre companies. She also served as Head of Education and Outreach at the National Theatre, was a programme director for MA studies in Theatre Education at the Iceland Academy of the Arts, and founded two performing arts festivals for young audiences. Additionally, she served on the executive committee of ASSITEJ, including one term as vice president.

Driven by her passion for meaningful artistic exchanges, Vigdis has been sought after internationally for over 15 years as a speaker, facilitator and workshop leader.

Reykjavik Arts Festival

Founded in 1970, the Reykjavik Arts Festival is Iceland’s primary multi-arts event, showcasing a rich array of local and international talent across multiple disciplines and of varying scales. Celebrated as one of Northern Europe’s most significant arts festivals, it presents an eclectic mix of performances, exhibitions, and installations that push creative boundaries.

The festival serves as a vital platform for both established and emerging artists, offering them a stage to share innovative work with diverse audiences. Access and inclusion are core to the festival’s mission, ensuring that art is enjoyed by all sectors of the community. Under the leadership of Vigdis Jakobsdottir, the festival has reached a broader audience and fostered deep cross-cultural exchanges.

Dr. Joanna C. Lee (Moderator)

Dr. Joanna C. Lee has served as consultant and translator for such institutions as the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall and the New York Asian Film Festival. Since 2004, she is the regular host and interpreter at the Hong Kong International Film Festival and the Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum. She was a publicity consultant for the “Big Five” American orchestras on their Asian tours as well as consulting producer for San Francisco Opera’s Dream of the Red Chamber. She is currently serving as outreach consultant for multiple Broadway and Off-Broadway productions in New York. She has served as an on-stage interpreter for former US President Jimmy Carter, Chinese director Jia Zhangke and artist Xu Bing, as well as provided opera surtitles for the China National Centre for the Performing Arts and the Beijing Music Festival. She is the English surtitle author for the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre since 2007.

Photo Credit: Lia Chang

• Simultaneous interpretation is available in English, Cantonese and Mandarin.
• Holders of the HKPAX Full Pass, Day Pass and Student Pass can access all sessions of Conversations. Spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Online pre-registration is required.