A Powerful Finale: Celebrating 3rd Birgejupmi through Art & Duodji Seminar in Guovdageaidnu

The Birgejupmi through Art & Duodji seminar in Guovdageaidnu marked the third and final gathering in the Dáiddadállu seminar series, a unique journey that began in London last October and continued in Nuuk. Over three days, the seminar created a shared space where artists, researchers, and knowledge holders came together across knowledge systems, artistic practices, Indigenous cultures, and generations.

Watch our Day 1 seminar video here to experience the energy, conversations, and artistic moments that set the tone for this vibrant gathering:

Day 1 – Birgejupmi through Art & Duodji Seminar in Guovdageaidnu

Dáiddadállu’s CEO Dine Arnannguaq Fenger Lynge opened the seminar with a warm welcome, setting an inspiring tone for the days ahead. Our Birgejupmi project ethics mentor Asta Mitkija Balto, together with Harald Gaski, followed with a powerful and engaging talk on “Birgejupmi in a Sámi Indigenous context: connections to land, duodji, and artistic practice” grounding the gathering in lived knowledge, responsibility, and relational understanding.

Throughout the day, artists reflected on their practices through the lens of birgejupmi, while inspiring panels brought together leading voices in visual art and duodji from Sápmi and Kalaallit Nunaat, including Máret Ánne Sara, Susanne Hætta, Lisbeth Karline Poulsen, Kim Kleist, Jouni Laiti, Ivínguak Stork Høegh, and others. Another vibrant panel on performing arts and film, moderated by Sara Margrethe Oskal, featured Elle Sofe, Rawdna Carita Eira, Elle Márjá Eira, and Ululinannguaq Olsen, sparking rich dialogue across artistic fields.

Maiken and Elle Sofe also introduced the Oaván (“brave”) talent programme, highlighting this year’s talent Emma Elliane Oskal Valkeapää, whose moving joik performance captivated the audience. The day closed in a true spirit of celebration, as music and artistic expressions carried the conversations forward into a shared cultural space ending in an unforgettable evening of art, sound, and relations.

Watch our Day 2 seminar video here to explore discussions on Indigenous futures, capacity building, stewardship of Circumpolar Indigenous art, and the closing concert that brought the day to a powerful and joyful end:

Day 2 – Birgejupmi through Art & Duodji Seminar in Guovdageaidnu

The second day hosted at Sámi Allaskuvla expanded the horizon of the seminar, turning attention to the broader realities and futures of Indigenous communities across Sápmi and beyond. With a strong focus on capacity building, the programme brought together key partners and institutions including Sámi Allaskuvla, Elle Sofe Company, Talent Norge, Riddu Riđđu, NANU, and others, highlighting the collective work needed to strengthen Indigenous artistic and cultural infrastructures.

Throughout the day, powerful contributions reflected both the challenges and the  resilience, creativity, and self-determination shaping Indigenous cultural life today. The programme created space for reflection on how artistic and cultural practices are embedded within decolonial processes, education rooted in community, and wider social and political conditions. Panellists including Heather Igloliorte, Ivínguak Stork Høegh, and Liv Meier Larsen offered inspiring perspectives that connected local realities to global Indigenous dialogues.

A vibrant discussion, moderated by Alysa Procida and Maria Utsi from the Arctic Arts Summit, brought together Heather Igloliorte, Harald Gaski, Dine Arnannguaq Fenger Lynge, Nivi Christensen, and others to explore the acquisition and stewardship of Circumpolar Indigenous art. The conversation underscored the need for Indigenous curatorship, production structures, international training programmes, and long-term talent and apprenticeship pathways.

The day concluded in true celebration, with a concert that gathered participants in a shared atmosphere of energy and joy. Closing the day with music that echoed the strength and vitality of Indigenous artistic futures.

Day 3 – Birgejupmi through Art & Duodji Seminar in Guovdageaidnu

The final day moved into a smaller, reflective setting at Dáiddadállu. Here, the focus shifted toward dialogue on future directions, possibilities for collaboration, and how the conversations from the seminar might continue to grow beyond the event itself. The closing discussions emphasized continuity, how artistic and cultural practices are not isolated events, but part of ongoing relational processes.

This 3rd seminar concluded the Dáiddadállu Birgejupmi through Art & Duodji series in London – Nuuk – Guovdageaidnu: a unique journey celebrating Indigenous art, duodji, and collaboration across places and communities.

Giitu buohkaide! Thank you all!

The journey continues as stewardship of Circumpolar Indigenous art, relations, creativity,  and artistic practices carry forward into new futures together.