Related content
Sámi novel wins Nordic Council literature prize for first time in 35 years
Author Sigbjørn Skåden has won this year’s Nordic Council Literature prize for his Sámi-language novel Planterhaug (Láŋtdievvá).
It is the first time in 35 years that a Sámi-language novel has received the prestigious literary prize.
In its citation, the jury describes it as ”an original novel with rare playfulness and a deeply historical narrative that stands out in both Norwegian and Sámi contemporary literature”.
Norway swept the board, taking all five Nordic Council prizes. It is the first time in history that all winners of the Nordic region’s most prestigious awards have come from the same country.
”All of the adjudication committees work independently, so the Norwegian dominance is simply the result of each jury independently deciding to select Norwegian winners this year,” the press realese states.
The Sámi Parliament demands over 1,5 billion kroner from the Norwegian state
Today, the norwegian government will present next year's national budget.
In 2026, the Sámi Parliament received over 800 million Noregian kroner for the first time. Now the Sámi Parliament has decided that it needs an additional 767,5 million kroner, meaning a total of more than 1,5 billion kroner from the state in 2027, according to NRK.
This demand follows the historic report from the Truth and Reconciliation Commision. The Sámi Parliament is calling on the state to take responsibility for closing the gap between the formal rights of the Sámi people and what is actually implemented in practice.
Because the Sámi Parliament is an elected body, it is recuested that the funda not earmarked, so the Sámi community itself can decide what it needs most.
Among other things, they want to use the money for nred museum buildings, a Sámi language Commisioner, and efforts to rebuild in the aftermath of the Norwegiansation policy.
NOK 3 million to strengthen the Kven language
The Norwegian Parliament has allocated NOK 3 million for measures in the new action plan for the Kven language.
The Kven Institute will receive over NOK 1.3 million to strengthen work on Kven language technology and establish a mentoring scheme for Kven language users. The money will also be used to develop incentives to motivate young people to choose Kven as a second language.
Among the recipients of funds is also UiT the Arctic University of Norway, which will receive NOK 175,000 to facilitate more students completing studies in Kven.
"The situation for the Kven language is serious. There is no doubt that long-term efforts are needed to get more Kven language users. The allocation of NOK 3 million is an important contribution to following up on the goals in the action plan, says Norway's Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Bjørnar Skjæran (Labor).
Exhibitions about Sami and queer storytelling
For the first time, Britta Marakatt-Labba's embroidery Historjá is being shown in Bodø, Northern Norway. The work, which extends over 24 meters, tells Sami history through the artist's distinctive and detailed expression.
It will take place at the Northern Norwegian Art Museum from April 30.
At the same time, "When the Body Says Yes" by Melanie Bonajo opens, with three video installations about the body, intimacy and belonging in a digital era.