Two hours of calm – the singer repaired frayed nerves

Nahome Kreutzmann Pedersen, an exceptional singer, mended several frayed nerves when she was one of the names for Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq's quickly put together fun event at the Katuaq cultural center in Nuuk on Sunday.

The foyer was set up with chairs, there was chocolate and dream cake, coffee, tea and water. The small hall of the cultural center was also transformed into a play and drawing room for children.

Mayor Avaaraq Olsen began by saying that the event had been established at short notice because the need for togetherness and normality had been clear. She gave a rather brief welcome in Greenlandic and Danish, urging people to remember children, young people and the elderly during this time, but finally addressed the foreign press:

- You are welcome to be here, but please keep a respectful distance from the residents of Nuuk today. We are tired and just want to have a nice and fun day.

The event lasted from 2 to 4 p.m. and after the welcome, John Hansen on guitar and Glenn Møller on accordion came on stage. They opened the event with a joint singing of “Nuna asiilasoq”. The atmosphere becomes solemn and the audience stands up.

When the crowd has clapped John and Glenn off the stage, an extremely well-mannered Piitannguaq Alaufesen storms in. He has energy for anyone who may have lost their breath. Refreshing and funny – and occasionally flat. Exactly how comedy should be.

Then it was Ivaana's turn. It was simple. So strong. So sensitive. She sat on a high chair with her guitar and ended her time on stage with her ukulele.

- If you know the songs, sing along, she said, adding that she herself uses music to find peace in troubled times, just as she highlighted the importance of having a place to give space to thoughts and feelings.

And then it was that Nahome came in together with Hans Jukku Noahsen, and they were joined by Glenn on accordion on some of the last songs.

There was dancing in the chairs and lips all around singing along, never very loudly, but it was clear that both her own songs from her debut album from two years ago and the cover songs that were sung were carefully selected, because they were all audience favorites. Hans Jukku got the energy up when he sang “Tamatta pigersupparput”.

All in all, a fantastic afternoon. The hours felt almost completely normal in a world that has been abnormal for far too long.