The Nordic Council Literature Prize Nominees — Sámi Language: Mary Ailonieida Sombán Mari

See a discussion with Sámi author Mary Ailonieida Sombán Mari on her nomination for the 2022 Nordic Council Literary Prize, moderated by Lisa Monica Aslaksen! Awarded since 1962 alongside other prizes from the Nordic Council in music, film, and environment, the Literature Prize is selected annually for a work of fiction (poetry, prose, or drama) written in one of the Nordic languages. Created to generated greater interest in the sense of Nordic cultural community and to recognize unique artistic endeavors, each year’s prize is selected by the Nordic Adjudication Committee, made up of two members from each of the Nordic nations. This year’s nominee from the Sámi language areas, Mary Ailonieida Sombán Mari’s poetry collection "Beaivváš mánát" (Mondo Books, 2020) draws us into the Sami experience of abuse of power, racism, and contempt on the part of public authorities. Written in two languages — including Norwegian in the first part (Leve blant reptiler (Living among reptiles)) and Northern Sámi in the second (Beaivváš mánát) — the collection empowers Sámi readers while offering insight to non-Sámi readers through its portrayal of moments in time. The poems draw attention to the lack of humanism in the ideology of the past while tracing a line between it and the modern day. In this talk held virtually from Scandinavia House Online on October 20, In today’s discussion, the author discussed the collection with moderator Lisa Monica Aslaksen. Learn more about programming at Scandinavia House at www.scandinaviahouse.org #sámi #sámilanguage #booktalks