Áhčča

By Sarakka Gaup/Ellána Birehá Áillu Sarakka
In Collaboration with Dramatikkens Hus and Ibsen Scope.

Ailo Gaup, Aslak Nilsen, Aslak Nilsen Gaup, Ellána Bireha Áilu, Nige Nillasa Áilu, Store-Ailo, Stuorra-Áilu, Oslo-Ailo.
Novelist, poet, journalist, teacher of shamanism.A Sami. Who was supposed to become Norwegian. Who became Sami again.
Victim of Norwegianization.
Victim of colonization.
But this is far from a victim story.

I write about a part of Norwegian history known to few. And I feel a big responsibility to tell this story, and also a deep meaning when doing it.
This story needs to be told. And it needs to be told by me. For he who experienced this, is the one who gave me life. My father.

Welcome to the story of a long life told in 15 minute: a theatrical version of my testimony to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s report.

With pride, with grief, with anger, with hope.

Sarakka Gaup
Sarakka Gaup/Ellána Bireha Áillu Sarakka is a Norwegian-Sami actor and playwrite from Oslo and Kautokeino/Guovdageaidnu, Norway.
Sarakka Gaup is an MA-student at Oslo National Acadamy of Performing Arts and has worked at several Norwegian theatre institutions like Det Norske Teatret, Hålogaland Teater, Det Samiske Nasjonalteatret Beaivváš, Kloden Teater and Riksteatern and Giron Sámi Teáhter – Det Samiske Teatret in Sweden. She has also worked in film and tv.

Sarakka Gaup has been awarded several awards, including Sametingets Kultur- og idrettsstipend og Sparebankstiftelsen Nord-Norges Talentstipend.

At the Sami House in Oslo, Gaup works with Sami language, art ansd culture and she also works as a dramaturge and consultant for Unge Viken Teater in collaboration with Kvääniteatteri, Åarjelhsaemien Teatere og Beaivváš Sámi Našunálateáhter.