Reminiscing the extraordinary experience it was being part of the opening of Čoarvemátta – the building housing the Sámi National Theatre Beaivváš & Sámi High School and Reindeer Herding School / Beaivváš Sámi Našunála Teáhter & Sami joatkkaskuvla ja boazodoalloskuvla.
From its very first day Čoarvemátta proved to be truly “the house of magic and knowledge” as expressed by the theatre director Rolf Degerlund.
We have still barely landed after the opening ceremony back in August:
The ambience, the strong and touching speeches, the fantastic concert-performance, the food by the arctic gastronomy students, the truly amazing art and duodji – and of course the people, many of whom have worked for years for the realization of this building.
Some highlights from the day:
Welcoming by Sara Ellen Anne Eira representing the school and Rolf Degerlund the theatre.
Official opening by Silje Karine Muotka, President of the Sámi Parliament
Compères: Marte Fjellheim Sarre & Inger Marie Nilut
Symphony performance “Beaivi áhčážan. Eanni eadnážan / The Sun, my Father. The Earth, my Mother.” by Arktisk Filharmoni & Beaivváš theatre based on poems by Áillohaš, Nils-Aslak Valkeapää
Composer and music supervision: Frode Fjellheim
Conductor: Anna F. Hartmann
Director: Rolf Degerlund
Choreography: Marte Fjellheim Sarre
Text selection and translation: Rawdna Carita Eira
Soloists: Ulla Pirttijärvi Länsman & Adrian Angelico
Actors / yoikers: Egil Keskitalo, Mary Sarre, Iŋgor Ántte Áilu Gaup, Nils Henrik Buljo
Light: Øystein Heitmann
Sound: David Solheim
Grand drape: Máret Anne Sara
Sámi anthem Sámi eatnan duoddariid by Áillohaš sung in unison summed up the heartwarming and soul lifting experience 
Ollu giitu!
Architecture team: Snøhetta, Joar Nango & 70°N arkitektur
Photo: 70°N arkitektur
