Elle Sofe Sara (Norway)

Elle Sofe Sara

Choreographer

Elle Sofe Sara is described as one of the most interesting and important choreographers in her generation in Norway. She grew up in and lives in Guovdageaidnu Finnmark. In addition to working as a choreographer, she has also made several award-winning short films and documentaries. She is currently working on a feature film, which will be the first feature film musical in Sámi language.

Sara’s work expands upon seemingly mundane, often overlooked areas of Sámi physicality— unspoken rituals that have escaped the vice grip of colonialism. Sara uncovers a space in which the past and the present coincide. While her choreography is known for its playful approach, she also delves into taboo subjects such as trauma, abuse, and suicide. As an Indigenous artist, Sara seeks to create work that resonates as strongly for her community as it does for the art world.

Internationally, Sara has created work with Liu Chi (China), Wimme (Finland), and Lana Hansen (Greenland) among others. She is also the co-founder of DÁIDDADÁLLU, a Sámi indiginous contemporary art collective. When she is not working with choreography or film, or traveling for work, Sara can be found marking reindeer calves with her children or reading animal tracks in the snow.

Frode Fjellheim

Composer

Frode Fjellheim lives in Trondheim, Norway and is a Norwegian musician (piano and synthesizer), composer and yoiker (performer of the traditional Sámi vocal tradition). He is best known for his band Transjoik and for being the composer of the opening theme of the Disney movie Frozen. Fjellheim was educated as a classical piano teacher, but has developed his own style as a performer and composer, combining elements from the traditional Sámi tradition with elements from classical music, jazz, pop and rock. He has released several albums both as a solo artist, with his band Transjoik, and through various collaborations. Fjellheim also heads his own music company called Vuelie (www.vuelie.com). He holds a professorate in music at Nord University.

Alexandra Wingate

Co-choreographer, dramaturg

Alexandra Wingate works as a choreographer, producer, and process facilitator.

As a choreographer she works with performance for stage, dance film, performance installation and participatory performance. She does this as part of a non-hierarchical collective, as the leader of a team and sometimes as a co-creator in someone else’s project.

Improvisation and score building are the main techniques for developing and performing her work as well as a strong focus on co-authorship with the dancers. Several of her works explore how culturally conditioned symbols, icons, ideas, ideologies, etc. are internalized and become an invisible part of a human being and of a society.

Wingate also works as a producer and process facilitator for interdisciplinary, intercultural and community art processes. Mainly through her own workshop format Kind of like this and as a co-founder of the art centre Ställbergs gruva. She is currently working with the Sámi Arts Collective Dáiddadállu as project manager for their 10-year jubilee.

Wingate collaborates with Sara as co-choreographer, dramaturg and sometimes as dancer generating movement materials. Their collaboration and friendship started in 2003 while studying to become dancers together in London. Most notably Wingate has been a part of creating Beatnaga ii galgga gulgii geahččat- Don’t judge the dog by its fur (2010), Jorggáhallan (2012), Vástádu eana – The answer is land (2021) and Birget; ways to deal, ways to heal (2023).

Based in Skärkäll in Bohuslän on the northwest coast of Sweden.

When not working she likes to “dega” (to be a dough, a Swedish term for seriously and unpurposefully relaxing), listening to podcasts and exploring the landscape with the dog Ilja.

Grete Daling

Singer

Grete Daling works as a senior lecturer at Nord University and is a freelance singer, singing coach, teacher and conductor. Has particular experience from the genres of classical singing, Cuban music and joik, works mostly with voice use, especially in relation to ensembles such as vocal groups and choirs. Darling has experience as a singer from Vokal nord, Trondheim vocal ensemble, Embla, Frode Fjellheim/The orchestral Joik.

Darling collaborates with Sara as a singer and as a co-creator vocally. Their collaboration started in 2021 during the production of Vástádu eana – The answer is land.

Darling is based in Trondheim.

Darling likes flowers, coffee and “koselige folk” (Norwegian expression meaning warm, genuine and fun people).

Sara Marielle Gaup

Yoiker

Sara Marielle Gaup is a yoiker, composer and artist. She grew up in a home with a living, unbroken yoik tradition, and is thus a traditional yoiker.

Gaup has worked as a professional yoiker/artist/vocalist full-time for the last 17 years and has extensive experience in the field. She is one of the most known artists within Sámi music in Sápmi and internationally. Gaup is known from her musical project Adjágas (former band, together with Lawra Somby) and Arvvas (together with double bass player Steinar Raknes), and also does, among other things, traditional yoik concerts and yoik courses, film music and guest appearances in other people’s music projects. Together with her sister Risten Anine Gaup she has the multimedia project OZAS, and has played together with Terje Isungset in his ice instrument project since 2007.

Gaup puts a lot of effort into preserving the Sámi vocal tradition which has almost died out due to the strong process of assimilation, Norwegianization and Christianization to which the Sámi were and still are subjected to.

Gaup collaborates with Sara as a singer and as a co-creator vocally. Their collaboration started in 2021 during the production of Vástádu eana – The answer is land.

Olga-Lise Holmen

Singer, yoiker

Olga-Lise Holmen is a freelance musician/artist. She is a sea-sámi and has taken back her indigenous roots during the last years.

Holmen is an ensemble-singer in the professional vocal ensemble Vokal Nord and has cooperated with several Norwegian and international composers and artists. Right now she is working on her own project recording an album with traditional Kven/Finnish folk music. She enjoys exploring different vocal techniques through styles as baroque, traditional folk music, contemporary music and ethnic sound.

Holmen collaborates with Sara as a singer, yoiker and as a co-creator vocally. Their collaboration started in 2021 during the production of Vástádu eana – The answer is land.

Based in Skibotn in Sàpmi / Northern Norway.

In addition to her artistic work, she is working as a physical therapist and emphasizes human movements as therapy for better health and a way of expression. She is also a hunter, dog-keeper and enjoys mountaineering.

Vilja Tjemsland Kwaśny

Dancer, project coordinator for Birra

Vilja Tjemsland Kwaśny is a Norwegian/Polish dancer. She has worked as a freelance dancer with choreographers such as Roza Moshtaghi, Simone Grøtte, Karen Eide Bøen, Tormod Midtbø, Hege Haagenrud and Shi Pratt. Vilja has worked with the dance company Nagelhus Schia Productions since 2019 and was employed as a dancer in Carte Blanche – The Norwegian National Company for Contemporary Dance in 2021.

Tjemsland Kwaśny collaborates with Sara as a dancer and with generating movement material. She also serves as a project manager for Birra. Their collaboration started in 2022 when she became a dancer in Vástádu eana – The answer is land.

When she is not working, she enjoys traveling, getting to know new cultures and flavors, and learning various crafts such as baking, ceramics and painting.

Julie Moviken

Dancer

Julie Moviken is a performer and creator. She is drawn to collective workspaces where she can unfold in many present beings. She has worked with choreographers such as Kristin Helgebostad, Ingri Fiksdal and Janne-Camilla Lyster.

Together with Harald Beharie and Charlott Utzig she is a part of the performance collective De Naive. The group mainly works with dance practice as soft activism – inviting and invading public space with social performances.

Moviken collaborates with Sara as a dancer and with generating movement material. Their collaboration started in 2021 during the production of Vástádu eana – The answer is land.

Based in Oslo, Norway.

She also has a passion for ice hockey and plays for the Ringerike Panthers women’s team.

Emma Elliane Oskal Valkeapää

Yoiker

Emma Elliane Oskal Valkeapää is a Sàmi artist and actress from Guovdageaidnu. Growing up with traditional Sámi music and yoik, Oskal Valkeapää creates contemporary music where she combines her own yoiks and songs with modern elements. Working in her mother tongue, North-Sámi, she released her first album Dovddut eai gielis – Feelings don’t lie at 16 years old. As an actress Oskal Valkeapää loves to tell stories through music, joik, dance and acting. She is currently working on her second album.

Based in Guovdageaidnu, Sápmi / Northern Norway.

Oskal Valkeapää collaborates with Sara as a yoiker. Their collaboration started in 2023 when she became a yoiker in Vástádu eana – The answer is land.

Nature keeps her grounded, and she likes to run and walk without following a path exploring and reconnecting with her environment.

Nora Svenning

Dancer

Nora Sveninng is a contemporary dancer with a background in classical ballet. She has worked with choreographers/companies such as Panta Rei Dance Theater, Sølvi Edvardsen, Astrid Serine Hoel, Frikar, and has toured nationally and internationally. Svenning also creates her own work, most recently the full-length piece Liminaria in 2023.

Svenning works with Sara as a dancer and with generating movement material. Their collaboration started in 2017 during the production of Jielemen Aavoe.

Svenning is based in Oslo, Norway.

Nora loves seeking out knowledge and perspectives through traveling, connecting with people, nature and reading. She enjoys occasionally dabbling in photography, and is aiming to take up the hobby og wind-foiling when summer comes around.

The Dancers of Damelahamid

The Dancers of Damelahamid is an Indigenous dance company from the northwest coast with a rich history of masked dance. The Dancers of Damelahamid has produced the annual Coastal Dance Festival since 2008, presenting Indigenous dance from the northwest coast as well as hosting guest national and international Indigenous artists. The company’s full-length works include Setting the Path (2004), Sharing the Spirit (2007), Visitors Who Never Left (2009), and Spirit Transforming (2012). Newly created works include Flicker (2016) and Mînowin (2019). 

Margaret Grenier

Margaret Grenier is of Gitxsan and Cree ancestry. She is the Executive and Artistic Director for the Dancers of Damelahamid. She has produced the Coastal Dance Festival since 2008. Margaret’s multimedia choreographic works bridge Gitxsan and Cree dance forms with current expressions. Her works have toured internationally and include Setting the Path (2004) and Spirit and Tradition (2007), and Visitors Who Never Left (2009), Luu hlotitxw (2012), Flicker (2016), and Mînowin (2019). Mînowin premiered at the Mòshkamo Festival, National Arts Centre, Ottawa (2019) and at the Festival Internacional Cervantino in Guanajuato, Mexico. Margaret holds a M.A. from Simon Fraser University and a B.Sc. from McGill University. She was a sessional instructor for Simon Fraser (2007) and faculty at the Banff Centre (2013). She received the Reveal Award (2017) and the Walter Carsen Prize for Excellence in the Performing Arts (2020).

Lobi bivdit/ Asking for permission

(luohteálgu, pre-yoik)
Luohtedáhkki/ Composer: Sara Marielle Gaup Beaska
Dajahusat/ Text: Elle Sofe Sara, Sara Marielle Gaup Beaska

Vuollegašvuođain bivddán lobi
Báikkis bivddán lobi leahkit
Attán lohpádusa báikái, eatnamii
guođđit nu mo gávdnen

Asking for permission with humbleness
Asking this place permission to be here
Giving a promise to this place and land
To leave it as I found it

Vástádus eana/The answer is land

Komponista/ Composer: Frode Fjellheim
Dajahusat/ Text: Jenni Laiti, Niillas Holmberg, Outi Pieski
(Rájácummá divttaid vuođul)

Gažaldat eana, vástádus eana
Váldit dušše maid dárbbaša
Álo álmmastit miehterávdnjái,
miehtemurrii álo njáskat
Johka ieš min šaldi
Buhtes čáhci, sáivaluohti

Land is the question, the answer is land
Only take what’s needed
Scoop the water along the stream, cut the
branches along the grain
Let the river be the bridge
Clean water, the sacred song

Dálvi/ Winter

Komponista/ Composer: Frode Fjellheim
Dajahusat/ Text: Elle Sofe Sara

Dálvi bohtos ain
Let the winters still come

Leaibejoga gájanasat/ Eccos from the Leaibe river

Komponista/ Composer: Elle Sofe Sara
Arr.: Frode Fjellheim

Luukin vää´r/ The Lukin mountain

Árbevirolaš leudd maid Anfisa Ivanova Gerasimova oahpahii.
Traditional leudd taught by Anfisa Ivanova Gerasimova.
Arr.: Frode Fjellheim

Luukin vää´rr lij go ceerkavena da
Luukin vää´rr lij go ceerkavena.
Suu´pp má´te lij go paappáena,
suupp máte lij go paappáena.
A suála- vää´rr lie go vooltárena,
A suála- vää´rr lie go vooltárena.
Kuózz ååuśa lie go tuóvvásena da
kuózz ååuśa lie go tuóvvásena.

Luukin- vaara on kuin kirkko.
Haapapuu on kuin pappi (papin kaapu).
Saarivaarat ovat kuin alttari.
Kuusenoksat (-kävyt) ovat kuin
tuohuskynttilöitä.

The Lukin Mountain was like a church,
an aspen tree was like a priest.
The Isle Mountains were like an alter,
the cones of spruce were like candles.

Gabba heargi/ The white driving reindeer

Komponista/ Composer: Frode Fjellheim ja árbevirolaš luohti maid oahpahii Anna Nilsson Lasko Árjjetpluovis eret (voksarullabádden Karl Tirén).
Frode Fjellheim and traditional yoik by Anna Nilsson Laskos from Arjeplog (wax roll by Karl Tirén).

Stoerre vaerie/ The Great Northern Mountain

Árbevirolaš vuelie maid Gaebpien-Njaita Charlotta oahpahii.
Traditional vuelie as taught by Gaebpien-Njaita Charlotta.
Arr.: Frode Fjellheim

Stoerre vaerie
Söökes leah kraesieh
Aaltoeh miesieh gåatoeminie
Daate lea stoerre vaerien vuelie

Umbesámegillii/ Ume Sámi original:
Stuora várrie
Sügs leäh krásieh
Álduoh miesieh l’ guahtuominne
Dáhta leä stuora várien vuöllie

The Great Northern Mountain
Lush is the grass
The female reindeers and the calves grazes
This is the yoik of The Great Northern Mountain

Báhcet dearvan Beahcán duoddarat/ Farvel Beahcán-viddene
Árbevirolaš luohti maid Ivvár Niillas rohkki oahpahii.
Traditional yoik as taught by Nils I. Porsanger.

Báhcet dearvan, báhcet dearvan Beahcán duoddarat
Dál mii fertet din maid guođđit
Ii lean ruoktu, ii lean ruoktu gosa bođiimet
Buot lei amas, buot lei vieris gosa bođiimet.

Boardat ala čuoččahii ja juoiggadii dan luođi
go fertii vuolgit, fertii guođđit
Báhcet dearvan ráhkis duoddarat

Farevel Beahcán tundras, farevel Beahcán tundras
Now we have to leave you
No home, no home where we arrived
Everyhing was unknown and strange where we arrived

She stood on the stairs and yoiked the yoik
When she had to leave, had to leave behind
Farvel dear tundras