PROJECT
REACHING OUT TO SÁMI
The Sámi People Awareness Decade (2009-2019) is an initiative born in Southern Europe in the Republic of Croatia. It is designed to increase familiarity and understanding of the Sámi people among all the inhabitants of our planet. The focus of the decade is on the popularization of contemporary Sámi society, life and culture.
The idea for the decade came from Robert Kakarigi, founder of Ecogreen Europe, when he realized how little people around the world know about the contemporary Sámi way of life. Kakarigi and Ecogreen Europe, organization built around four pillars of sustainable development, reached out from Mediterranean Europe to the indigenous Sámi people living at the northern tip of Scandinavia and proclaimed the period 2009 - 2019 as The Sámi People Awareness Decade. The Decade is symbolically commencing on the United Nations’International Day of the World's Indigenous People, 9 August 2009.
THE DUODJI ARTIST
24.07.2009
Have a look at this photo of Sven-Åke Risfjell taken while he was working on his Sámi "duodji" piece in his workshop. Sven-Åke is a "duojar", someone who produces handicrafts.
JOKKMOKK- part 1
26.07.2009
A WINTER REINDEER SANCTUARY IN NORTHERN SWEDEN IN THE VERY HEART OF SÁPMI A group of Sami people, an indigenous nation of northern Europe inhabiting the informal state of Sápmi, traditionally keep their reindeer in the forests surrounding Jokkmokk during the winter season. This is a cradle of Sami culture and trading, where people harvest the advantages of modern living while still respecting their old ways.
JOKKMOKK- part 2
26.07.2009
Jokkmokk’s Winter Market, established by the Swedish King Karl IX, is a unique winter festival in Europe with 400 years of tradition. Even though the temperature can drop to -30˚C, most of the trading takes place outside along the main street.