Anna Näkkäläjärvi-Länsman & Jaime Belmonte present "Ráidu": A Profound Exploration of Sámi Culture through Music
World Premiere of an Expanded Version in Collaboration with Earth Ears Ensemble
Performance: Anna Näkkäläjärvi-Länsman & Jaime Belmonte – Raidu
Date: 16th December 2023
Time: 19:00
Location: Helsinki Music Centre (Black Box)
Renowned Sámi musician and luohti artist Anna Näkkäläjärvi-Länsman joins forces with Spanish-Finnish composer Jaime Belmonte and the Earth Ears Ensemble to unveil "Ráidu," a unique collaborative piece blending the ancient art of yoiking with Western contemporary music. The piece offers a poignant exploration of the troubling history surrounding the wrongful theft of Sámi human remains for racial studies in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Commissioned by Hetta Music Days, "Ráidu" was premiered in April 2023 with Anna Näkkäläjärvi-Länsman and the Norrbotten Neo Ensemble. This expanded version marks the first doctoral concert for Jaime Belmonte, exploring the intersection of luohti and Western contemporary classical music.
A yoik, or luohti in Northern Sámi, is a form of vocal expression deeply rooted in the Northern Sámi-speaking Sámi culture. It is a communicative style that serves as an extension of spoken language, preserving the rich heritage of the Sámi people. This ancient Sámi tradition, deeply intertwined with cultural identity, becomes a powerful vehicle for conveying the troubling narrative of stolen Sámi ancestors, their journey southwards, and the ongoing struggle for repatriation.
The narrative unfolds through various elements, each meticulously crafted to capture the multidimensional aspects of the story. From the symbolic reindeer caravan, representing the transportation of looted remains, to the spirits of Sámi ancestors and the gods witnessing the desecration, "Ráidu" weaves a rich tapestry that explores themes of grief, justice, and the enduring connection between the living, the departed, and the Sámi motherland.
The collaborative process has been a transformative experience that challenges the prevailing Western classical structures and contributes to the decolonisation of music creation with a circular, non-linear musical discourse inspired by the nature of luohti. Beyond compositional techniques, this collaboration underlines the importance of respectful collaboration and acknowledges the power dynamics inherent in cross-cultural encounters.
"Ráidu" stands as a testament to the resilience of Sámi culture and the power of artistic collaboration in challenging colonial structures. This co-creation serves as a unique musical expression that transcends boundaries, fostering a space where the luohti can exist authentically, free from constraints.
As the performance unfolds, audience members are invited to embark on a journey into the heart of Sámi culture, witnessing a powerful fusion of tradition and innovation. "Ráidu" serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing repatriation process and the need for respectful dialogue in the face of cultural exchange.
About the Artists
Anna Näkkäläjärvi-Länsman is a musician from the Arctic indigenous people, the Sámi. In recent years, she has been researching her family's yoik tradition by studying old archival records. This as a starting point, Näkkäläjärvi-Länsman is doing artistic PhD research at Sibelius Academy's MuTri doctoral school. Anna Näkkäläjärvi-Länsman is also known by her artist name Ánnámáret and her many collaborations with various ensembles have appeared on three albums, the latest of which is Nieguid duovdagat (2021), in which yoik, finnish bowed lyre and live electronics combine different worlds. Näkkäläjärvi-Länsman draws inspiration for her music from the nature of Sápmi, as well as from Sámi culture and the Sámi way of life. She makes music and lives in the fells with her reindeer herding family. Anna Näkkäläjärvi-Länsman's strength as an artist comes from growing up between two cultures and through that, understanding these cultures and their clashes and similarities. As a researcher, Anna Näkkäläjärvi-Länsman, trained as a classical musician and as an expert in yoik, is at a meeting point where new methods can be used to discover new knowledge about yoik
Jaime Belmonte is a Spanish-Finnish composer, conductor and researcher based in Helsinki. He works as an independent composer and collaborates with different artists exploring transculturality, transdisciplinarity and new ways of expression using technologies. His music strives to create refined and captivating sound worlds employing a blend of traditional, extended techniques and electronics. Jaime holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in composition from the Sibelius Academy, where he is currently conducting doctoral artistic research focused on intercultural and interdisciplinary collaboration. Jaime’s music is heard regularly in Europe, Asia and America, appearing in numerous festivals and performed by leading contemporary music ensembles. In addition, his music has been awarded in competitions such as the 42nd Irino Prize, and his artistic work is currently supported by the Finnish Music Foundation, the Otto A. Malm Foundation, and the Arts Promotion Centre Finland. Jaime’s compositional and academic life is combined with the artistic direction of Ruamjai and Järvenpää Chamber Choir.
The Earth Ears Ensemble was founded in 2021 with the goal of enlivening contemporary music performance with focus on experimentation and presenting lesser-heard ideas and voices in new concert settings. Earth Ears is inspired by Pauline Oliveros’ piece of the same name and her concepts of deep listening and sonic awareness. Turning our attention to the human in the musician and in the audience member, and amplifying the sonic qualities of a simple breath and a presence of each other in the same space, Earth Ears Ensemble wishes to inspire the enjoyment of a present moment. The ensemble hopes to engage with the community not only in the traditional concert settings but through workshops, concerts in unconventional spaces, and by choosing pieces meaningful to its members. The ensemble consists of flutist Livia Schweizer, clarinetist Lucy Abrams-Husso, cellist Iida-Vilhemiina Sinivalo, pianist Helga Karen, and sound artist Tuukka Tervo. Each member of the ensemble brings their own interest and passion to their programmes, thus providing opportunities for the rest of the members to explore themselves outside of their comfort zone, discover something new, and find new ways to engage the audience through music exploration. Earth Ears Ensemble is looking forward to being a part of the lively new music scene in Finland and to develop it further alongside other ensembles and artists.
