GÏELEJEANOEN BALKA
THE LANGUAGE PATH
In Norway, the Sami language was forbidden to be spoken in public from 1880 to 1959. The Sami children were sent to boarding schools to become ‘good Norwegians’ – to forget their language – the Sami song ‘Joik’ was forbidden in schools and churches. Today, the South Sami language is on the UNESCO red list of languages to be lost.
Concept by:
Research and recordings by Ada E. Jurgensen
Field recordings and soundscapes – Johan Sara Jr.
A special thanks to all of you who have lent your voices, language, and thoughts to us & the “GÏELEJEANOEN BALKA” – project.
Supported by:
The Sámi Parliament (N) | The Norwegian Arts Council | Nordland County, Fritt Ord (Free Speech)
In collaboration with: Helgeland Museum
For: Festspillene på Helgeland og Galleria Kunstfestival
In Norway, the Sami language was forbidden to be spoken in public from 1880 to 1959. The Sami children were sent to boarding schools to become ‘good Norwegians’ – to forget their language – the Sami song ‘Joik’ was forbidden in schools and churches. Today, the South Sami language is on the UNESCO red list of languages to be lost.
1609 | The Costal/Sea Sami people at Helgeland, Nordland County, were forbidden to wear their traditional clothing.
1720 | School for Sami children in Sjøgata, Mosjøen, for 70 Sami families in this area. Run by the missionary.
1880-1959 | Sami language and songs are forbidden in the counties of Nordland, Troms and the coast of Finnmark.
1997 | HM King Harald of Norway declares that the Norwegian state is founded on the land of two peoples: Sami and Norwegian.
The Gïelejeanoen Balka (The Path of The Language River) is an innovative art project to take back the forbidden language, hear its beautiful sounds and thoughts and reclaim its status.