Sápmi crosses four national borders, encompasses several Sámi languages, four national languages, and minority languages such as Kven and Meänkieli. Although the national borders are relatively modern, the cultures, kinships, the Sámi verdde tradition, and the stories arose in the originally borderless landscape. After many years of state assimilation policies, colonization, and poor conditions for language and culture, we have in recent years seen a resurgence in literature based in Sápmi and Nordkalotten. The contemporary Sámi and Kven literature encompasses everything from historical novels, fantasy/mythology, poetry, children’s and young adult literature, and political/activist literature.
Silje Solheim Karlsen is Professor of Nordic Literature, Department of Teacher Education and Pedagogy (ILP), UiT – The Arctic University of Norway, campus Alta and Adjunct Professor of Nordic literature, Department of Sámi Teacher Education, Sámi University of Applied Sciences.
