Choreographer Elle Sofe Sara presents the transient beauty of Indigenous Sámi culture through dance, music, and joik

February 20, 2024 – OTTAWA (Canada) – NAC Dance and Indigenous Theatre have joined forces to present Vástádus eana / The answer is land, a production by Sámi choreographer Elle Sofe Sara. The company will grace the Babs Asper Theatre stage from February 28-29, 2024, presenting a striking and transitional performance.

Elle Sofe Sara, an Indigenous Sámi from Norway, delves into the intentions of movements, glances, and stage presence, drawing inspiration from demonstrations, Sámi spiritual practices, and group dance. Seven unique female dancers, each with their own stories, contribute diverse life experiences, bodies, and voices to the performance. Accompanying the choreography is a specially crafted polyphonic joik composed by Frode Fjellheim, known for his work on the 2002 song 'Eatnemen Vuelie,' featured in Disney's Frozen.

"Elle Sofe is the voice of the Sámi people, expressing their efforts to battle injustice and to retain and celebrate their culture, mirroring the experience of many of the world's Indigenous peoples, including here in Canada." — Kevin Loring, Artistic Director, NAC Indigenous Theatre

"This production is a unique experience for audiences, who join the procession of the seven women in the show, marching in unity as they invite us into an evening of polyphonic yoiking and powerful movement." — Caroline Ohrt, Executive Producer, NAC Dance

PERFORMANCE AND TICKET INFORMATION
 
As an integral artistic part of the show, the performance begins outdoors and the audience will make its way to the theatre, guided by the performers.

For more information and showtimes, please visit: https://nac-cna.ca/en/event/33703

THANK YOU TO OUR NAC DANCE PARTNERS

NAC Dance and the NAC Foundation would like to thank the donors and partners who have made the season possible. Thank you to our Hotel Partner, the Lord Elgin Hotel. The role of Executive Producer, NAC Dance is generously supported by an anonymous donor.

Thank you to the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Ottawa for their support.

THANK YOU TO OUR INDIGENOUS THEATRE PARTNERS

Indigenous Theatre at Canada’s National Arts Centre is made possible through the generous support of individuals and corporations from across the country. The National Arts Centre Foundation wishes to acknowledge the support of The Slaight Family Foundation, Presenting Sponsor BMO Financial Group, and Official Hotel Partner Ottawa Embassy Hotel & Suites. Thank you also to Meta, Presenting Partner of #ReconcileThis.

ABOUT THE NAC

The National Arts Centre (NAC) is Canada’s bilingual, multi-disciplinary home for the performing arts. The NAC presents, creates, produces, and co-produces performing arts programming in various streams — the NAC Orchestra, Dance, English Theatre, French Theatre, Indigenous Theatre, and Popular Music and Variety — and nurtures the next generation of audiences and artists from across Canada. The NAC is located in the National Capital Region on the unceded territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Alexandra Campeau
Communications Strategist, NAC Dance
National Arts Centre
(613) 668-2736
alexandra.campeau@nac-cna.ca

Ian Hobson
Communications Strategist, NAC Indigenous Theatre
National Arts Centre
(343) 588-0742
ian.hobson@nac-cna.ca