International contemporary art platform23.03.1943–26.11.2001
Nils-Aslak Valkeapää
Nils-Aslak Valkeapää (1943–2001) was a Finnish Sámi writer, artist, musician, and poet, creating mainly in the Northern Sámi language. He received the Nordic Council Literature Prize in 1991 and contributed extensively to Sámi culture.
Biography
Nils-Aslak Valkeapää was born on March 23, 1943, in Enontekiö. He was a prominent representative of the Sámi culture of Finland and Norway. Valkeapää was a versatile artist: a writer producing works in the Northern Sámi language, as well as a painter, musician, poet, and singer. His creative work spanned genres including poetry, jazz, and traditional Sámi joik. Beyond his artistic pursuits, Valkeapää worked as a teacher, journalist, actor, composer, and studio musician. For his contributions to literature, he was awarded the Nordic Council Literature Prize in 1991. Nils-Aslak Valkeapää passed away on November 26, 2001, in Espoo.
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