Emil Kárlsen joins forces with up-and-coming Northern Sámi singer-songwriter Elina Ijäs from Gáivuotna and Guovdageaidnu. The single is the magical and uplifting “Giđa ávašta”, which means “one senses spring,” marks the first collaboration between the two young Sámi artists. Kárlsen will release his first solo debut album Nannámii September 25.

It is no coincidence that “Giđa ávašta” is set for release on April 3rd. March and April are when the season of giđđadálvi (spring-winter) truly begins to fill polar winter-weary souls with optimism again. It is not only the time when the sun has returned, but also when it gently starts to warm the land and melt the snow.

The enchanting song has a strong metaphore: the return of the sun represents the return of the Sámi language – especially in the coastal area of Gáivuotna/Kaivuonon/Kåfjord. Both Emil and Elina have family there, and that is where the assimilation of the Sámi people almost was complete. Rays of sunlight are now reaching further down between the tall mountains, and the ice where Sámi words have been frozen inside is finally melting, after a long winter lasting for several decades.

Emil explains: 

– This is a positive and empowering song for everyone who needs motivation through their struggles. Giđa ávašta is a very symbolic song with many layers in the way it tells our story from the past, while upliftingly leading us toward the present and onward into the future.

LISTEN TO THE SINGLE HERE

Elina Ijäs is an emerging artist from Guovdageaidnu and Gáivuotna, Norwegian Sápmi. Growing up in a Sámi community, yet with roots from the coastal areas of Sápmi where colonization and Norwegianization were among the harshest, her family – like many others – was deeply affected and nearly lost their language and identity.  

Emil Kárlsen was born and raised in the multilingual community of Omasvuotna/Omasvunon/Storfjord near the borders between Norway, Sweden and Finland. He infuses his artistic practices with his family’s story and the history of his region. Having grown up in a heavily Norwegianized part of the coastal Sámi community, he has been a notable voice of reclaiming language and revitalizing the Sámi culture, through his own music combined with the traditions of yoiking.

Nannámii is out September 25

The long-awaited upcoming solo debutalbum from Emil Kárlsen is out this September – Pre-sales have started!