The theatre firm travels a number of instances a yr all through the Sámi areas in Norway, Sweden and Finland, generally additionally Russia. It additionally frequently excursions outdoors the Nordic nations to focus on Sámi tradition. Its base has been in Kautokeino Kulturhus, however a devoted constructing has been wanted for a while. The theatre now has a luxurious 220-seat auditorium, altering rooms, a inexperienced room and make-up room at its disposal.
Pictures by Lars Petter Pettersen / Snøhetta
The constructing’s kind additionally serves outside actions. Its branching form naturally kinds three outside areas. One is for the primary entrance, one other is given over to a round house with an árran (a hearth pit), sitting stones and an amphitheatre and the third, which is much less seen to guests, is meant for the varsity’s workshops.
To the north of the constructing, giant areas have been put aside for reindeer enclosures, that are instantly linked to the herding division inside. The reindeer is so central to the Sámi that the animal and all its makes use of has knowledgeable the considering behind the venture. Even the title of the constructing, Čoarvemátta, comes from the Sámi phrases for horn and root, referring to the strongest and innermost elements of reindeer antlers – the symbolism is that regardless of completely different traits, there’s a unifying high quality to the venture.
As Stangnes concludes: ‘We preferred the concept that our constructing is sort of a device that has been formed to create this hub for information and storytelling. It’s an attention-grabbing merger of the 2 [institutions], and hopefully they are going to profit and get stronger by being mixed.’
