How and by whom is the Sámi cultural heritage collecter? How can I access the collected material? Can I participate in the collecting work?
In September, we will gather around the living Sámi cultural heritage and its collecting work. During the event, you can learn more about different collecting projects, such as the Sámi Museum Siida’s VISA Project (Virtual Sápmi), and the Finna.fi Search Service’s Northern Sámi interface. Additionally, you can hear about the activities of the Giellagas Institute of the University of Oulu, the Sámi Cultural Archive, and the student organization Gieku’s news. During the evening, the Sámi Psychosocial Support Unit Uvjj – Uvjâ – Uvja will introduce themselves. Also, representatives of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Oulu Sámit organization will be attending.
The event is open to everyone, and coffee will be served.
Oulu Art Museum’s Satula Space, first floor
Tuesday September 10, at 16.00–19.00
The museum evening is organized together by Oulu2026’s Borderless Sámi Culture project, the Giellagas Institute of the University of Oulu, Sámi Museum Siida, Museum of North Ostrobothnia and Oulu Art Museum. The event is continuation for the Communal Sámi Evening held in January which launched dialogue and cooperation between Oulu’s museums, the Oulu Culture Foundation and the Sámi community.
Oulu2026: Oulu is the European Capital of Culture in 2026. Sámi culture is a significant part of the cultural program, and the Oulu Art Museum will be filled with Sámi art and duodji immediately in January 2026. Sámi cultural cooperation that crosses country and Sámi region boundaries began in 2023, and diverse events will be organized even before the European Capital of Culture year.
The Giellagas Institute is a unit of the University of Oulu which holds national responsibility to teach Sámi languages and culture, as well as research in Finland. The Institute teaches Skolt Sámi, Inari Sámi and Northern Sámi, as well as Sámi culture. The Giellagas Institute also houses the Sámi Cultural Archive where abundant cultural and research material is stored. The Archive serves the Sámi language and cultural education and research. Additionally, the collections serve the regeneration and revitalization of Sámi languages and culture.
The Sámi Museum Siida operating in Inari is a national heritage museum specializing in Sámi culture. The mission of the national heritage museum is, among other things, to implement national museum activities in its specialized field; develop and promote cultural heritage work and museum cooperation in its specialized field; act as a national cultural heritage specialist; and oversee and promote international connections in its specialized field. The Sámi Museum Siida’s goal is participatory communal work outside of the Sámi regions. This year, the Sámi Museum has been chosen as the European Museum of the Year, and the Finnish Museum of the Year.
The Northern Ostrobothnia Museum is a cultural history museum operating in the Oulu region and the regional responsibility museum of North Ostrobothnia. Many special museums also operate in connection to it. The Museum staff currently work in temporary facilities as renewed exhibitions will be opened in the new Museum building in Oulu’s Myllytulli in 2026. The Museum’s BestBeloved Museum Project invites diverse people to participate in the planning of new museum activities. The Museum’s Sámi items have been gradually returned to the Sámi Museum Siida starting from January 2024.
The Oulu Art Museum’s exhibition programme focuses on regional and contemporary art. The exhibitions are accompanied by a rich and varied programme of events for all ages. The collection of Oulu Art Museum emphasises contemporary art. In addition, Oulu Art Museum maintains the art collection of the City of Oulu and manages several smaller donated collections. As the regional art museum, Oulu Art Museum provides services and assistance to cities, municipalities, local museums, communities and private citizens in the Northern Ostrobothnia and Kainuu area in questions related to visual art and visual cultural heritage. The Art Museum and Oulu2026 will be hosting the 2026 Sámi Art Exhibition in close cooperation.