[fse-esf] Sami people and culture at the ESF

[Doug Holton]

I haven't been involved in EPA's so far this time so i am afraid that I 
am not very well informed. Unfortunately I am not able to attend this 
EPA.
Are there any plans to have a cultural/artistic input? I do hope so but 
I haven't heard of anything.
Last week I was involved in a series of workshops with, among others 
Harriet Nordlund, former Artistic Director of  Beaivváš Sámi Teáhter – 
The Norwegian National Sámi Theatre Company. Harriet is a significant 
practitioner with a growing reputation. She would like to be involved 
in the ESF and it appears to me that she would bring something quite 
spoecial to enrich the event.
The Sami people are among the indigenous inhabitants of Arctic Europe. 
Their treatment at the hands of the various states has been outrageous. 
Their land has been plundered and in quite recent times Sami children 
were forcibly removed from their parents and taken to boarding schools 
and indoctrinated in the ways of 'civilised' society. Their resistance 
has resulted in an improvement in their position. Harriet's work has 
been significant in this process. Her contribution to the Theatre goes 
further than that. Her production of Lorca's "Blood Wedding" has been 
widely acclaimed. she pioneered 'snow and ice theatre' which literally 
used snow and ice to construct theatre spaces.
I hope that this ESF will find a space for culture and art and 
certainly for Harriet's work and that of indigenous peoples. I hope to 
be able to attend the next EPA to advocate this position. As always I 
am happy to be of what assistance I can.
Best wishes in solidarity
Doug Holton