A collaboration between Fondazione Fabbrica Europa and Fondazione Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino

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

‘The Answer is Land’ is a poem that I came across a few years ago.
The poem is part of an artwork called Kiss From the Border by Jenni Laiti, Niillas Holmberg and Outi Piesku, where eight lines of poetry were placed along the Deanu river valley, on the border between Finland and Norway. The Kiss From the Border project caught my attention because it is political and activist art that is driven by love rather than anger.

Love and connection to nature, our surroundings and people are important to me, as I live in a Sámi village and society. I had an urge to create a dance and yoik experience where connection to the place (the land, nature) and togetherness are the main themes. That’s the starting point of this project.

The yoiks (Sámi traditional songs) are mountain yoiks and yoiks relating to nature. Some are from archives, some composed by Frode Fjellheim, one of the yoiks performer Sara Marielle and I have learned from an elder, and one of the yoiks is composed by me. It feels truly extraordinary that these yoiks, that come from all over Sápmi, are yoiked, heard and get a space in the public each time we meet an audience.

Often people ask me how they should define or look at my work: is it dance, is it a performance concert, theatre or what? In my opinion there is no need to define.
Vástádus eana – The answer is land is its own.
Let yourself be carried away, feel and experience it!

– Elle Sofe Sara

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.
Her 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, she 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 indigenous contemporary art collective.

artistic leader, choreographer: Elle Sofe Sara
co-choreographer: Alexandra Wingate
performers: Kajsa Balto, Julie Moviken, Olga-Lise Holmen, Sara Marielle Gaup Beaska, Emilie Marie Karlsen, Nora Svenning, Grete Daling
composer: Frode Fjellheim
costumes: Line Maher
set design: Elin Melberg
light design: Øystein Heitmann
dramaturge: Thomas Schaupp
light technician: Anniell Olsen
sound technician: Eivind Steinholm
tour leader: Ingvild Kirkvik
dress sewing: Caroline Bratt and Line Maher
origin of the performance title: Rájácummá/ Kiss From The Border by Niillas Holmberg, Outi Pieski, Jenni Laiti
participants preproject: Katarina Barruk, Maya Mi Samulensen, Alexandra Wingate
producers: Maiken Garder and Nordberg Movement
collaboration partners: DAVVI Centre for Performing Arts, The Sámi National Theatre Beaivváš
collaboration partners 2022: Hålogaland Teater, Davvi Senter For Scenekunst, Det Samiske Nasjonalteatret Beaivváš, Dansenett Norge
co-producers: Arctic Arts Festival, Norrlandsoperaen, Tanz im August
funded by Sámediggi, Norsk Kulturråd, Nordisk Kulturkontakt, Troms Og Finnmark, Ylkeskommune, Fond For Lyd Og Bilde, Dáiddafoanda, Sámiráđđi, SPENN
tour 2022 funded by Sámediggi, Bergens Stiftelsen, Fond For Lyd Og Bilde, Troms Og Finnmark Fylkeskommune, Norsk-Finsk Kulturfond, Arctic Arts Festival, Dansenett Norge, PAHN
development grants from Troms Og Finnmark Fylkeskommune, Norsk Kulturråd
video documentation: Antero Hein/ Hein Creations

photo: Antero Hein