Two beers with Ingeborg Berli Tuften
Two beers with Ingeborg Berli Tuften
It's the UKA vacuum at Samfunnet, and people are rushing past me as I sit in the office wing, while they prepare the building for UKA i Ås 2024. The first person I encounter is a smiling and enthusiastic woman. We set off on the journey from Samfunnet to QH - Qlturens Høiborg, also known as the Hunkatt Attic. It’s no surprise that this is where Hunkatten Ingeborg Berli Tuften wanted us to get to know her better and what she’s passionate about.
Journalist: Mathilde Runge Christensen
Translator: Vegard Sjaastad Hansen
Photographer: Malene Tangen
As we follow the white cat paw prints up the stairs to the top floor of Inferno, the conversation flows easily. We settle into the red and black-painted living room of Hunkatt Attic, where Ingeborg lived throughout last year. It’s morning when we meet, the coffee is brewing while a Ringnes Lite sits on the table. “This has become my favorite, it tastes good, and since there can be quite a lot of beer at times, it's nice to have something lighter,” she says with a laugh. I ask her what she thought when she was invited to join Two beers. She instantly responds that, first and foremost, she was excited to share what being the UKEsjef has meant to her and to talk about the work and historical significance of the festival. This conversation often led us to discuss what the “Ås bubble” is for Ingeborg.
“Oh, the coffee must be ready,” Ingeborg realizes, “do you want milk in it?” As she serves the coffee and settles back into the red couch surrounded by old and new pictures of Hunkatter on the wall, the conversation continues casually. Her first days in Ås were special: “I started during the pandemic, autumn 2020, and quickly realized that I couldn’t just sit in my dorm, so I signed up as a volunteer, working as a waiter during UKA in Ås 2020,” she says with a matter-of-fact tone, and Ingeborg quickly understood that this was all about giving everyone a chance to contribute. This opened her eyes to getting more involved and still inspires her in her role as UKEsjef today.
From that starting point, things quickly took off with positions in the student community, such as in Ordensvern, FA, and as Deputy for House Design for UKA in Ås 2022. A trait of Ingeborg’s that comes through during our conversation is her positivity, especially when she talks about how happy she is to be engaged and to have had the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people. As she reflects, she recalls a memory from when she was serving at Ringfest that made an impact. “I remember clearly how moved I was when everyone stood, stomped in unison, and sang ‘Studentenes kall’. The sense of community I felt in the room then made me think, ‘this is something I need to be a part of!’” she says with teary eyes and takes a sip from her Hunkatt-decorated coffee cup. This experience gave her a strong desire to give back to student volunteerism.
As we get deeper into our coffee and into Ingeborg’s wish to contribute to the student culture in the Agrarian Metropolis, we come to UKA i Ås 2024 and her role as UKEsjef. She has to pause a bit before explaining why she chose to run for the position, mentioning that she initially aimed to run for the UKA board, but was convinced and motivated by Hunkatter that UKEsjef would suit her: “It was tempting to be part of driving the festival forward and leaving my mark on it.” She describes being the public face of this year’s festival with a sense of reverence and adds that it has been a positive experience, even without prior experience: “We’ve been unafraid to change things, which has been a positive foundation. UKA i Ås preserves history while creating new traditions.”
When sitting at QH, it’s impossible not to talk about Ingeborg’s history with Hunkattene, which dates back two and a half years. “I poured my heart and soul into that application,” she says firmly. “And I’ve received so much in return; a deep dive into Ås culture, my best friends, people who share my values, along with fun and parties. This will stay with me for the rest of my life.” She is proud to be part of the first female student association founded in Norway and identifies with its feminist message.
Alongside her volunteer work in Ås, Ingeborg has been studying to become a teacher. She loves biology and was convinced by a friend at NMBU when she wasn’t sure what to pursue. “After my first year of teaching practice, I realized how exciting it was to get others interested in what I’m passionate about,” she recalls enthusiastically. Ingeborg’s creativity also shines through in her didactic master’s project, which explores how learning and creativity can be combined through drawing as a teaching method. Painting and drawing have always been a part of her life, as she grew up in a creative home filled with art, swing dancing, and folk music. Challenging herself is nothing new for Ingeborg. She explains that leading and speaking in front of a class was also challenging for her, and it was both intimidating and unfamiliar to apply for different positions here in Ås. “I was a shy little girl growing up in a small village, Luster, nestled deep in the Sognefjord, surrounded by national romantic landscapes. But my mom and dad have always been important and supportive in my life.” So, it was a shock to the system when she started in Ås, but she quickly fell in love with the sunsets.
Ingeborg continues, explaining that it was only when she joined the navy after high school that her comfort zone and extroversion got a push: “It was very healthy for me, even though I’ve always liked learning new things and had the competitive instinct to master things the first time.” At the same time, she smiles and adds that no one in her family now understands where her extroversion and confidence come from. When I ask Ingeborg how she would describe herself, she thinks for a moment before saying, “Growing up in a small village where the Law of Jante is strong, you’re not used to bragging about yourself.” She finally lands on four words that resonate with her: creative, fearless, enthusiastic, and caring. Joining the navy was a conscious choice to overcome her fear of boats after being involved in a boating accident as a child. Getting involved in associations, taking on roles, and starting teacher training all challenge her shyness. Like everyone else, Ingeborg has parts of her life that are difficult to handle, but it’s wonderful that life can also be so engaging and full of good things, which she feels she has experienced and continues to experience here in Ås.
Ingeborg brought the values of openness, care, and accessibility into her role as UKEsjef. She explains that the value of discussion cannot be underestimated, and everyone should have the chance to contribute and feel heard, even those who don’t speak up loudly. “I hope I’ve achieved this. Humble as I am, I know I wasn’t a good leader in the beginning. It was a steep learning curve, and I’ve learned a lot!” Personally, she has learned to handle criticism better by understanding what’s worth spending energy on and not letting everything get to her. Ingeborg is filled with pride when she reflects on the work for UKA i Ås’s 100th anniversary, with extra historical reflections and focusing on the UKErevy. She is an emotionally engaged leader, and she gets moved when talking about everyone who has contributed. “I’m very grateful for how naturally everyone has taken on their roles.”
As the coffee cups are empty and the beer is half-finished, we reflect on the Ås bubble, and she firmly states that the past four years have been the best of her life. Expanding her horizons and taking on the slightly scary challenges has shown Ingeborg that trying new things you’re passionate about is the least dangerous thing you can do—getting caught up in excitement and enthusiasm! “Ås is a prime example of not having more fun than what you make yourself.”
Greetings
Dear Tuften!
The last days have contained many heartfelt words from you to us, and it is now a pleasure to immortalise a few words from us to you in Tuntréet!
Because calling every department searching for a minister of state to attend the Urpremiere is no small task. It says something about your work ethic, to which there is NO end! You are clearly invested in UKA, and your involvement affects us and the rest of the organisation.
The last 1.5 years have gone by at an incredible speed, and we wouldn’t change a single thing. If you ask us, you are the Leader of UKA of the century! You have lead us with care, sympathetic looks and words – not to mention stubbornness. We can share both positives, negatives and frustrations about people in paid positions with you. It has been a pure joy to get to spend every Monday for the last 1,5 years with you, and we look forward to every Monday for the next half year.
Thank you for being you, we, the members of the board love you and we look forward to the rest of UKA i Ås with you
Greetings from your UKEboard <3
Cheers kittycat
We’ve been so lucky to live with you for a year in the world’s best attic. Everyday life isn’t the same without late nights spent knitting and watching vintage episodes of *Norge Rundt*. Whether it’s sleepy, tousled-hair morning encounters or you rushing off to and from meetings at Samfunnet with great enthusiasm, it’s always a joy to be in your company. You’re a resourceful woman with so much love to give. You walk into the living room like a ray of sunshine with positive energy, often with a hug to spare.
After our year as roommates, we’re left with so many good memories: the attic band, the Shrek family, “Kaffi B” pre-parties, and the cozy living room chats that make it hard to get to school. You may have moved on to greener pastures now, but the attic will always be here for you <3
Qultural greetings 301, 302, 303, 304 og 305/Birte, Aurora, Ingeborg, Marthe og Ingeborg
Attic inhabitants 15x4+3
Our dearest Ingeborg
We’re so lucky to have started both our lives in Ås and our teaching careers together with you. You’ve always got so much going on, so planning an evening with you isn’t always easy, but it’s always wonderful when we manage to make it happen! Even though we’re excited to see everything you’ve accomplished with UKA, we’re even more excited to spend more time with you when it’s over! We do understand, though, that such a kind, thoughtful, proactive, and fun person has to be shared with the rest of Ås. The students in Ås are lucky to have you.
We are so proud and impressed by everything you achieve! Looking forward to finishing our studies with you by our side.
Hugs from your lecturer babes <3
