This week, Jay Reum and Todd Kramer head out to the fringe—literally—to chat with Helena Bunker, the dynamic force behind the Stockholm Fringe Festival (STOFF) and a key figure in developing fringe festivals across the Nordic and Baltic regions.
Over 15 years ago, Helena set out to create something bold and experimental in a cultural landscape that didn't even understand what a "fringe festival" was. Today, she and her partner Adam Potyrkus are shaping the fringe scene across Northern Europe—championing alternative performance, outsider art, and the kind of work that challenges the mainstream.
Thinking of starting your own festival? Curious what it really takes to go full-on fringe? Helena shares candid insight into the highs, lows, bureaucratic headaches, and artistic joys of building a creative movement from the ground up.
This one's for the rebels, the weirdos, and the future festival curators among us.
🎟️ Learn more: https://stockholmfringe.com
00:00 – Welcome to the fringe
01:40 – Who is Helena Bunker?
03:10 – From artist to festival founder
05:30 – Starting Stockholm Fringe Festival (STOFF)
08:00 – What is fringe, anyway?
10:45 – Creating space for outsider art
13:00 – Early hurdles: funding and recognition
15:20 – Working with Adam Potyrkus
17:10 – Expanding to Nordic and Baltic scenes
19:30 – Cultural clashes and creative diplomacy
22:00 – Artist selection and festival curation
24:15 – Advice for starting your own fringe
26:45 – Memorable fringe moments
28:20 – Fringe fatigue: staying inspired
30:00 – Why the fringe still matters
32:10 – What's next for Helena and STOFF?
34:00 – Final reflections from Todd & Jay
🎧 Podcast & more: https://offstageacting.com/podcast
📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/offstageacting
❌ X: https://x.com/OffstageActing
📘 Facebook: https://facebook.com/offstageacting
🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@offstageacting
🌐 Todd's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/toddkramer
🌐 Jay's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jayreum
🎟️ Stockholm Fringe Festival: https://stockholmfringe.com
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