Festivals & Events

1. Sámi álbmotbeaivi

   Sami National Day (6 February)

   Usage

   Every year on 6 February, in memory of the Sami meeting held in Trondheim on 6 February 1917

   Grammar Note

   A compound: álbmot ("people, nation") + beaivi "day". Dates are written as the genitive of the month plus the day with a full stop (guovvamánu 6. beaivi = 6 February)

2. Beassážat

   Easter

   Usage

   The main Christian feast, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus; it is the oldest and biggest festival of the church year. Easter Sunday is the first Easter day (vuosttaš beassášbeaivi)

   Grammar Note

   A noun used in the plural. The singular stem beassáš appears in compounds such as beassášbeaivi "Easter day"

3. Sámi beassášfestivála

   Sami Easter Festival

   Usage

   A Sami festival held at Easter. The annual music contest Sámi Grand Prix is part of it and takes place in Guovdageaidnu (Kautokeino)

   Grammar Note

   A compound: beassáš ("Easter") + festivála "festival". Sámi means "Sami"

4. Juovllat

   Christmas

   Usage

   The main day is 25 December (vuosttaš juovlabeaivi). In the Nordic countries the celebration begins on the evening of 24 December (juovlaruohta)

   Grammar Note

   A noun used in the plural. It appears in compounds such as juovlamánnu "December"

5. Ođđajahki

   New Year

   Usage

   The New Year. January is ođđajagimánnu, "the month of the new year"

   Grammar Note

   A noun: ođđa ("new") + jahki "year". The genitive form ođđajagi appears in compounds such as ođđajagimánnu

6. Riddu Riđđu

   Riddu Riđđu Festival

   Usage

   An annual music and culture festival in Gáivuotna (Kåfjord), northern Troms. It aims to showcase and develop the culture and identity of the Sami and other indigenous peoples, and indigenous artists come from all over the world

   Grammar Note

   A proper name; use it as spelled. The letter đ sounds like the th of English "this"

7. Márkomeannu

   Márkomeannu (Sami culture and music festival)

   Usage

   A culture and music festival in the coastal Sami communities of Ofoten and South Troms, northern Norway, held every year at the end of July. Over five days it offers exhibitions, seminars, children's workshops and concerts

   Grammar Note

   A proper name; use it as spelled. Mind the á in Márkomeannu

8. Sámi Grand Prix

   Sámi Grand Prix (music contest)

   Usage

   An annual Sami music contest held since 1990, with a joik section and a song section. The winner takes part in Liet Lávlut. It is held at Báktehárji in Guovdageaidnu

   Grammar Note

   A proper name; Grand Prix is kept in its borrowed spelling

9. Goas festivála álgá?

   When does the festival start?

   Usage

   Asks when a festival begins

   Grammar Note

   Composed sentence from known words and a known pattern. Goas ("when") + festivála ("festival") + álgá ("begins", 3sg). The question word comes first

10. Gos festivála lágiduvvo?

    Where is the festival held?

    Usage

    Asks where a festival takes place

    Grammar Note

    Composed sentence from known words and a known pattern. Gos ("where") + festivála ("festival") + lágiduvvo ("is held", passive 3sg of lágidit "to organise")

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