PRELIMINARY PROGRAM (subject to changes) 

Note: Several seminars are scheduled at the same time. 

The program is available as a PDF file at the bottom of this page.

 

THURSDAY, June 26 

7:30 PM Evening Prayer at the Northern Lights Cathedral, Alta Church. 
Participants: Church Service Committee, local staff, and the Department of Sami Church Life in the Church of Norway. 

 

FRIDAY, June 27 
(Official opening day of Sami Church Days 2025) 

10:00 AM Exhibition opening with Anna Stina Svakko and Girkugiisá. Art Association, Alta City Center. 

11:00 AM Exhibition opening with Per Ivar Somby – old photographs. Alta City Square. 

1:00 PM Opening Service at the Northern Lights Cathedral, Alta Church. 

3:00–4:30 PM Seminar: Sacred Landscapes. Northern Lights Cathedral, Alta Church. 
3:00 PM Film (title forthcoming). Alta Cinema. 
4:00–4:45 PM Photo Lecture: A young Skolt Sami man’s life as a hunter. Meeting Room Sautso (Scandic Alta). Presented by Vesa Orassalo. 

Break until 6:00 PM. 

6:00–7:30 PM Film More Than Just Mountains. Alta Cinema. Discussion with filmmaker Johannes Vang. 
6:00–7:00 PM Sydisdans. Meeting Room Vest-Finnmark (Scandic Alta). 
6:00–7:30 PM Ságastallamat/Conversation: Reconciliation, Yoik, and Christian Faith. Lavvu in the church park. 
Presenter: Kristian Paulsen. Moderator: Risten Turi Aleksandersen. 

7:30–8:30 PM Break. 

8:30–9:30 PM Hymn Singing Evening with Pia Holmgren, Maria Smeds, and Åvla Lifjell. 
Northern Lights Cathedral, Alta Church. 

9:30–10:30 PM Break. 

10:30 PM Bus departure from Alta City Center to Jiepmaluokta (Hjemmeluft). 
11:00 PM Midnight Sun Service at Jiepmaluokta Beach. 

 

SATURDAY, June 28 

8:30–10:00 AM Orthodox Morning Service. Northern Lights Cathedral, Alta Church. 

10:30 AM–12:00 PM Main Seminar: The Role of the Church in Future Reconciliation Efforts. Meeting Room Vest-Finnmark (Scandic Alta). 
Presenters: Lovisa Mienna Sjöberg, Mari Valjakka, and Kaisa Huuva. 

12:00–1:00 PM Break. 

1:00–1:45 PM 

• Seminar: Sami Musical Expressions in the Church – How can Sámi church music contribute to reconciliation? Meeting Room Vest-Finnmark (Scandic Alta). Presenter: Karin Nelson. Panel: Kristian Paulsen, Hanna-Maaria Kiprianoff, and Åvla Lifjell. 

• Seminar: Mental Health and Reconciliation. Meeting Room Sautso (Scandic Alta). Organized by SANKS, Uvja, and Church SOS. 

• Seminar: Sami Bible Translation. Alta Library. In collaboration with the Norwegian Bible Society. 

1:45–2:00 PM Break. 

2:00–3:00 PM 

• Bargobadji/Workshop: Yarn and Handicrafts. Limited to 15 participants. Meeting Room Sautso (Scandic Alta). Led by Ida Mara Marakatt. 

• Ságastallamat/Conversation: Racism against Sami – How can the church and local communities collaborate? Meeting Room Vest-Finnmark (Scandic Alta). 

• Traditional Hymn Singing. Lavvu in the church park. Led by Johan Máhtte Skum. 

3:00–3:30 PM Break. 

3:30–5:00 PM 

• Seminar: Girkugiisá. Northern Lights Cathedral, Alta Church. Concludes with a walk to the exhibition room at the Art Association. Presented by Anna Stina Svakko. 

• Sami Church Life and LGBTQ+. Meeting Room Sautso (Scandic Alta). 

• Seminar: Repatriation of Sami Remains. Meeting Room Vest-Finnmark (Scandic Alta). Presenters: Fredrik Juul and Erva Niittyvuopio. 

5:00–6:00 PM Break. 

6:00 PM Youth Service. Alta Church, Kirkeveien 1 (10 minutes walking distance from the Northern Lights Cathedral). 

8:00 PM CONCERT – Kajsa Balto. Northern Lights Cathedral, Alta Church. 

 

SUNDAY, June 29 

9:30–10:15 AM Youth Appeal to the Churches in Sápmi. Northern Lights Cathedral, Alta Church. 
Response from Bishops. 

11:00 AM Closing Service with the handover of responsibility for the next Sámi Church Days to Sweden. 
Northern Lights Cathedral, Alta Church.