The Nordic Heritage Museum in Seattle opened a multilayered exhibition that explores the rich culture of the Sámi, the indigenous population of northern Europe, on August 31. On view through November 4, “Eight Seasons in Sápmi, the Land of the Sámi People” is a collaborative effort among Danish-American photographer Birgitte Aarestrup; Ájtte, the Swedish Mountain and Sami Museum; and Sámi Duodji, the Sámi Handicraft Foundation; both institutions located in Jokkmokk, Sweden.
In conjunction with the exhibition, the Museum will offer several related programs through October. See below for more details.
The Sámi People
The Sámi are the indigenous group in northern Europe, and like other indigenous peoples around the world, they have a traditional culture, language, and customs distinct from larger society. Sápmi, the land of the Sámi, extends across Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia, encompassing a vast area of mountainous and forested country, tundra, and wetlands.
The earliest traces of Sámi culture are 8,000 years old and go back to a hunting, fishing, and gathering culture, which later shifted to reindeer husbandry. Reindeer are so important to Sámi culture, in fact, that the Sámi year is divided into eight seasons, each relating to the changing nature so important for the traditional life-style and for the reindeer. The upcoming exhibition at the Nordic Heritage Museum will tell today’s stories about traditional Sámi reindeer herding life and handicraft.
About the Nordic Heritage Museum
With over 55,000 visitors annually, the Nordic Heritage Museum is a cultural treasure in the Pacific Northwest. It is the only museum in the United States that represents the cultural heritage of all five Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. The Museum’s mission is to share Nordic culture with people of all ages and backgrounds by exhibiting art and objects, preserving collections, providing educational and cultural experiences and serving as a community gathering place. The Nordic Heritage Museum presents a wide range of vibrant programs including contemporary art exhibitions, outstanding concerts, lectures and films and a variety of special events throughout the year.
Museum hours: Tues-Sat 10 am to 4 pm; Sun 12 noon to 4 pm; Mon closed
Admission: $6 general; $5 seniors & college students; $4 children over 5 years;
FREE for children under 5 and Museum members; free on first Thursdays
The Museum is located at 3014 NW 67th Street, Seattle, WA 98117.
The Exhibition
”Eight Seasons in Sápmi, the Land of the Sámi People” includes nearly 40 photographs taken by Birgitte Aarestrup during her personal journey among the Sámi people. Aarestrup’s photographs capture her experiences when she lived with the Sámi reindeer herders, listened to their stories around the fire in their traditional kåta tents, traveled to the 400-year-old Winter Market, and visited the homes of well-known artisans still creating arts and crafts in the way of their ancestors.
Ájtte Museum, the principle museum of Sámi Culture in Sweden will exhibit a colorful expose of Sámi culture. Artifacts, text, and photographs will illustrate Sámi history, traditional life, reindeer herding, and oral tradition. Visitors will also learn about Laponia, the UNESCO World Heritage Area in northern Sweden, which protects and preserves 9,400 km2 of traditional Sámi land.
Sámi handicrafts, known as Duodji, from the collections of the Sámi Duodji, the Sámi Handicraft Foundation, will show the importance of these crafts to Sámi society and the richness of these continuing traditions. Created by prominent craftsmen, the artifacts are made from reindeer, root, pewter, and textiles. The exhibition will be enhanced with Sámi artifacts from the collection of the Nordic Heritage Museum.
Sámi-Related Programs at the Museum
In conjunction with the exhibition, the Museum will offer several related programs throughout the fall. Here is a guide to the programs:
Wednesday, September 26
Thursday, October 11
Lecture: An Account of the Sámi: 100 Years Later, with Thomas DuBois
Tuesday, October 23
Photograph by Birgitte Aarestrup.
Exhibition support is provided by The Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation, the Swedish Council of America, Ájtte Museum, Sámi Duodji, Birgitte Aarestrup, and by Jokkmokk Municipality, Norrbotten County Council, and the Swedish Arts Council. Local support provided by 4Culture, Artsfund, and Seattle Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs.
