Celebrating Sámi Creativity in Oulu: Ovllá and Eanangiella – Voice of the Land

From Dáiddadállu artists, Hilda Länsman’s and Ann-Sofie Kallok’s work are featured in the Eanangiella exhibition.

In addition to the Eanangiella exhibition, Sápmi Triennale exhibition is also visiting Oulu Art Museum, filling the entire museum with Sámi art and duodji.

Below, you can browse photos from the exhibitions.

1. Ládjogahpir/Horn hat by Hildá Länsman. ©Photo: Ruska Haavisto
2. Art work by Helena Lagerqvist Kuoljok. ©Photo: Ruska Haavisto
3. Duodji by Jouni S. Laiti. ©Photo: Ruska Haavisto
4. Art work by Keviselie/Hans Ragnar Mathisen. ©Photo: Ruska Haavisto

The first Sámi opera Ovllá had its World Premiere in Oulu in January 2026. The opera is written by Sámi playwright and author Siri Broch Johansen (Juho-Sire) a member of Dáiddadállu, one of our valued BIRGEJUPMI consortium partners. Ovllá tells the story of a young Sámi man struggling with his identity, scarred by his experiences in boarding school that strongly affect him in his adulthood. The opera was a deeply moving experience, presented as a beautifully performed ensemble that blended traditional opera singing with yoik and integrated Sámi duodji into both the staging and costumes. We want to warmly congratulate Juho-Sire and Dáiddadállu for their remarkable work in bringing Ovllá to the stage.

Experiencing Ovllá alongside Eanangiella – Voice of the Land is unforgettable.  The opera Ovllá masterfully combines storytelling, music, and performance to bring Sámi culture, identity, and creativity to life on stage, while the exhibition Eanangiella offers a rich exploration of Sámi artistic innovation, heritage, and profound interrelations to the land.

Seeing both the exhibition and the opera in Oulu has left our team excited and inspired. Together, these cultural works resonate strongly with the themes of our BIRGEJUPMI project, bringing Indigenous and Western knowledge systems into dialogue, and nurturing relational ways of knowing, linking people, culture, identity, and land-seascapes.