Elle Sofe Sara, Vástádus eana – The Answer is Land

In the organizer's words:

[VÁSTÁDUS EANA - THE ANSWER IS LAND]

VÁSTÁDUS EANA - THE ANSWER IS LAND is a work about community and kinship between people and with nature. With dance and polyphonic Joik singing (composed by Frode Fjellheim), the Sámi choreographer Elle Sofe Sara creates a touching choreography with seven performers - inspired by political demonstrations, spiritual practices of the Sámi and formation dance. As an indigenous community, the Sámi are still forced to defend their habitat, their culture and their identity against state violence. With traditional clothing and colourful textile sculptures on stage, the aesthetics of VÁSTÁDUS EANA - THE ANSWER IS LAND oscillate between strict formalization and naturalness, between mourning and consolation, between loneliness and solidarity. Elle Sofe Sara is considered one of the most interesting and important choreographers of her generation in Norway; her works tour internationally with great success.

[English]

VÁSTÁDUS EANA - THE ANSWER IS LAND explores the deep connections and kinship between humans and the natural world. This powerful work by Sámi choreographer Elle Sofe Sara combines dance and polyphonic joik singing, with compositions by Frode Fjellheim, to craft a poignant performance featuring seven performers.

Inspired by political demonstrations, Sámi spiritual traditions, and formation dancing, the choreography highlights the struggles of the Sámi people, who continue to defend their lands, culture, and identity against state oppression. The performance's aesthetic, featuring traditional clothing and vibrant textile sculptures, shifts between formal structure and natural flow, evoking a spectrum of emotions-from grief to solace, isolation to unity.

Elle Sofe Sara, recognized as one of Norway's leading choreographers, has gained international acclaim for her evocative works.