Sámi Folktales from the Near and Far Worlds: Fall 2026 Readings and Talks

I'm excited to share my schedule this fall for a mix of in person and virtual talks about my translation of Sámi folktales. These stories were originally collected in Northern Norway by the linguist Just Knut Qvigstad and the Sámi politician and folklorist Isak Saba at the turn of the 19 century. It's the first time these 300 traditional stories are being told in English, as they're often overlooked in other folktale books from the Nordic countries. With stories of the ogre Stallu, hidden folk and talking animals, younger sons and wise old women, the folktales are a treasure trove of magical fairytales and eerie legends set among the coastal and mountain landscapes of the high north. 

Three of the readings will be in the Pacific Northwest and one will take place virtually through Scandinavia House in New York. I'll be joined then, on September 22, by Amy Swanson King, a Sámi-American PhD student in Seattle. Amy and I have had occasion to be conversational partners a few times before in person in connection with earlier books, so I'm looking forward to reuniting to discuss Sámi folktales online. 

Here's the full schedule. Hope you can be there or join us on Zoom!

In person

Jefferson Country Library

Port Hadlock, WA

September 9, Wednesday, 5-6 pm

https://www.jclibrary.info/event/sami-folktales-near-and-far-worlds-author-barbara-sjoholm-17838

 

Online, in conversation with Amy Swanson King

Scandinavia House

September 22, Tuesday, 7 pm (EST); 6 pm (CT); 4 pm (PST)

https://www.scandinaviahouse.org/sh/lectures-literary/sami-folktales-from-the-near-and-far-worlds/

 

In person

Nordia House

8800 SW Oleson Road

Portland, OR 97223

October 11, Sunday, 4 pm

https://www.nordicnorthwest.org/upcoming-events

 

In person

Third Place Books Ravenna

6504 20th Ave NE

Seattle, WA

October 22, Thursday, 7 pm

https://thirdplacebooks.com/event/barbara-sjoholm-sami-folktales

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sámi Events at Scandinavia House in New York and online, April 2023

First of all, a quick reminder that I'm doing a virtual talk with slides from my new book, From Lapland to Sápmi TUE—April 18—7 PM EST from Scandinavia House in New York. It's a free on Zoom, but you'll need to register at https://scandinaviahouse.org/events/from-lapland-to-sapmi/. It will later be available on their YouTube channel.

 

 This is a big week for Scandinavia House in their efforts to highlight Sámi and Indigenous people. On April 15 the exhibition, "Arctic Highways: Works by by Twelve Indigenous Artists from Sápmi, Canada, and Alaska opens there. Running through July, the exhibition is curated by Indigenous artists Tomas Colbengtson, Gunvor Guttorm, Dan Jåma and Britta Marakatt-Labba, the exhibition includes their own works alongside those of artists Matti Aikio, Marja Helander, Laila Susanna Kuhmunen, Olof Marsja, Máret Ánne Sara, Sonya Kelliher-Combs, Maureen Gruben and Meryl McMaster.

As a special opening event on Saturday, April 15,there will be a performance and film screening. Greenlandic dancer Elisabeth Heilmann Blind will  perform “UaaJeerneq – the Greenlandic Mask Dance,” followed by a screening of Historjá – Stitches For Sápmi (dir. Thomas Jackson), depicting artist Britta Marakatt-Labba’s battle for her culture against the threats of climate change. Next, Sámi Yoiker Lars-Henrik Blind will perform, followed by a panel with Britta Marakatt-Labba, Thomas Jackson, Elisabeth Heilmann Blind and Tomas Colbengston. Learn more and register.

On April 21 & 22, American-Scandinavian Foundation and the Arctic Indigenous Film Fund AIFF present a special film event “Climate Action — Future Changes,” exploring the Arctic Indigenous peoples’ fight against climate change through films and media. The program will begin with a panel discussion and reception on Friday, April 21, followed by film screenings on Saturday, April 22.

[From their website] "Arctic Indigenous peoples have a vivid and active storytelling tradition, with stories that have played an essential role in maintaining sustainable living in the Sámi and other Indigenous people’s traditional living areas. By telling their own stories and being in charge of their narratives, they create a new future for their people. This is why all Indigenous peoples must have the ultimate right to tell their own stories about climate change in the Arctic tipping points — ice caps melting, permafrost collapsing, and changing the Oceans and vanishing the snow. How we can fight back?

"In this two-day program held in coordination with the UN Permanent Forum for Indigenous Issues 2023, tonight will feature a panel discussion with film director Elle Máijá Tailfeathers (Sámi/Blackfoot, Canada), film producer Emile Hertling Péronard (Inuk, Greenland), director Anna Hoover (Unangax̂,  USA), and AIFF’s Liisa Holmberg (Sápmi), moderated by Jason Ryle (Canada). Welcoming notes to the program will be provided by Dariio Mejia Montalvo (Chair of the Permanent Forum for Indigenous Issues), Aslak Holmberg (President, Saami Council), and Petteri Vuorimäki (Ambassador for Arctic Affairs, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland). The discussion will be followed by a screening of the documentary short Salmon Reflection (dir. Anna Hoover, Alaska, 2022), and a reception. "