Elle Sofe Company

Vástádus eana / The Answer is Land

The Norwegian Elle Sofe Company brings to Kuopio the powerful piece Vástádus eana / The Answer is Land, which focuses on the community and kinship between people with nature and with the earth we all share.

The choreography is inspired by demonstrations, Sami spiritual practices and formation dance.

Written specially for the performance by composer and professor of yoik, Frode Fjellheim, the polyphonic yoik works as a supportive pillar throughout the work. Fjellheim showcases the breadth of yoik and a new way of working with polyphonic yoik.

Elle Sofe Sara is described as one of the most interesting and important choreographers in her generation in Norway.

Sara’s work expands upon seemingly mundane, often overlooked areas of Sámi physicality— unspoken rituals that have escaped the vice grip of colonialism. Sara uncovers a space in which the past and the present coincide.

Elle Sofe Company, founded by Sara in 2022, brings to the forefront the experiences and traditions of the northern indigenous peoples, blending dance, joik, and music.

In addition to the performance, the group will bring their BIRRA concept to Kuopio, which includes workshops on dance and voice usage, post-performance discussions, and mentoring, among others. More detailed information will be available in spring 2025.

“In this piece, modernity and tradition, as well as sound and movement, are combined in a new way. When I saw the performance a couple of years ago, the audience was enthralled. I don’t know exactly what happened, but something in it touched me deeply.”

– Kenneth Kvarnström, the artistic director of the festival

© Michele Monasta-Maggio
© Lars Opstad

KUOPIO CAST
LÁVDDE ALDE/ ON STAGE

Sara Marielle Gaup Beaska, Grete Daling, Olga-Lise Holmen, Emma Elliane Oskal Valkeapää, Nora Svenning, Julie Moviken, Emilie Karlsen

ARTISTIC LEADER, CHOREOGRAPHER
Elle Sofe Sara

COMPOSER
Frode Fjellheim

CO-CHOREOGRAPHER
Alexandra Wingate

COSTUMES

Elle Sofe Sara

SET DESIGN
Elin Melberg

LIGHT DESIGN
Øystein Heitmann

DRAMATURGE

Thomas Schaupp

LIGHT TECHNICIAN
Anniell Olsen

TECH TEAM

Anniell Olsen, Eivind Steinholm, Ingvild Kirkvik

SOUND TECHNICIAN
Eivind Steinholm

HAT SEWING
Zoja Galkina, Unni Fjellheim, Sara Inga Utsi Bongo, Karen Inga Buljo Oskal, Jorunn Løkvold, Hilly Sarre

DRESS SEWING
Karen Inga Buljo Oskal, Ann Mari Sara

PERFORMANCE TITLE
Rájácummá/ Kiss From The Border By
Niillas Holmberg, Outi Pieski, Jenni Laiti

PRODUCERS
Maiken Garder, Nordberg Movement, Siri Børs-Lind

COLLABORATION PARTNERS
Davvi Centre For Performing Arts
The Sámi National Theatre Beaivváš

CO-PRODUCERS
Arctic Arts Festival
Norrlandsopraen
Tanz Im August

PRODUCTION FUNDED BY
Sámediggi
Norsk Kulturråd
Nordisk Kulturkontakt
Troms Og Finnmark Fylkeskommune
Fond For Lyd Og Bilde
Dáiddafoanda
Sámiráđđi
Spenn

Shows and tickets

6.6.2025
16:45
Kuopio City Theater, Minna stage
Tickets on sale in November
7.6.2025
17:45
Kuopio City Theater, Minna stage
Tickets on sale in November

Partners

Arts Council Norway

See also

Reijo KelaReijo Kela Dance Schools On StageDance Schools On Stage Miller de NobiliMiller de Nobili