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Vástádus Eana – The Answer is Land

Elle Sofe Sara (Guovdageaidnu/Norwegen)  

14 May 2025 | Potsdamer Tanztage 2025Dance / performance

Community, kinship, and our shared connection to nature and the earth are the central themes of Vástádus Eana – The Answer is Land, a soulful piece that blends polyphonic yoiks (Sámi traditional songs), spiritual practices, and dance.

Under the open sky, the audience witnesses a demonstration: Women dressed in black with traditional red hats chant yoiks (Sámi ritual songs) into their megaphones, as an act of resistance. The procession then moves into the performance space, where the dancers continue the evocative songs, allowing them to become the guiding thread of the performance. Song and dance merge into powerful moments of restraint, eruption, intimacy, and solace. Inspired by the poem of the same name, Vástádus Eana – The Answer is Land is a powerful manifesto, a living tribute to the Sámi people, where their unique songs convey profound emotional expression, interwoven with nature, humanity, and spirituality.

Afterwards: Talk with the artists

Lecture Demonstration
Yoik: Sámi Singing Tradition

Tues May 13, 2025 | 17:30–19:00 | T-Werk Probebühne
Participation free of charge. Registration required.

Images

Price info Ticket

Price group B
Advance booking: 26 € / red. 13 €
Box office: 27 € / red. 13 €

Price group C
Advance booking: 20 € / red. 9 €
Box office: 21 € / red. 9 €

Price group D
Advance booking: 16 € / red. 8 €
Box office: 17 € / red. 8 €

Dates

Credits

Performance: Sara Marielle Gaup Beaska, Kajsa Balto, Emilie Marie Karlsen, Vilja Tjemsland Kwasny, Nora Svenning, Grete Daling, Ingrid Eggen
Light technic: Anniell Olsen
Sound technic: Thomas Olsen
Tour management: Ingvild Kristin Kirkvik
Choreography: Elle Sofe Sara
Composition: Frode Fjellheim
Co-choreography: Alexandra Wingate
Costumes: Line Maher
Set Design: Elin Melberg
Light Design: Øystein Heitmann
Dramaturgy: Thomas Schaupp
Production: Maiken Garder, Ingvild Kristin Kirkvik
Costume Sewing: Caroline Bratt, Johanna Sutinen, Line Maher
Hat Sewing: Ellen Berit Dalbakk, Zoja Galkina, Unni Fjellheim, Sara Inga Utsi Bongo, Karen Inga Buljo Oskal, Jorunn Løkvold, Hilly Sarre
Njalfahtta design and sewing: Ann Majbritt Eriksen
Origin of the performance title: Rájácummá/ Kiss From The Border by Niillas Holmberg, Outi Pieski, Jenni Laiti
Funded by: Sámediggi, Norsk Kulturråd, Nordisk Kulturkontakt, Troms Og Finnmark, Fylkeskommune, Fond for Lyd Og Bilde, Dáiddafoanda, Sámiráđđi, Spenn
Co-producers: Arctic Arts Festiv Al, Norrlandsopraen, Tanz Im August
Collaboration partners: Da Vvi Centre for Performing Arts, The Sámi National Theatre Beaivváš
Tour funding 2025: Pahn, The Norwegian Consulate General in New York
Photos: Lars Opstad, Darin Gregson, Michele Monasta-Maggio Musicale Fiorentino
With the kind support of the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Berlin
Many Thanks to Hans Otto Theater
Internet: www.ellesofe.com
Duration: 70 minutes