From Karelia to the Skolt Sámi Lands: Cross-cultural sharing through music

‘From Karelia to the Skolt Sámi Lands’ (Karjalasta kolttien maille) is a project by Emmi Kuittinen, Amanda Kauranne, Anna Lumikivi and Erkki Lumisalmi. Through years of artistic research and collaboration, this collective of musicians has explored the similarities between Karelian and Skolt Sámi traditions, which have received surprisingly little attention in the past.

The histories of these two peoples share notable parallels. To begin with, both were relocated to Finland as evacuees in the aftermath of war. Karelia has long been divided between Russia and Finland or their historical predecessors, and during the Second World War, more than 400,000 people from Karelia were resettled across Finland. Similarly, the Skolt Sámi were relocated from Petsamo, Suonikylä, and other Skolt Sámi areas to Nellim, Sevettijärvi, and the region surrounding Lake Inari. 

Today, the descendants of these evacuees are discovering common ground through art. The years of collaboration in the ‘From Karelia to the Skolt Sámi Lands’ project culminated in an album release in November 2024. Finnish Music Quarterly interviewed Amanda Kauranne and Anna Lumikivi to discuss their project. 

Traditions passed across generations

Amanda Kauranne, a folk musician and music journalist, has roots in Karelia and Päijät-Häme. Many Finns know her from the Sydänjuurilla radio series, which focused on various types of folk music in Finland. Anna Lumikivi, a Skolt Sámi singer, musician, and cultural worker, captivated audiences during the latest season of The Voice of Finland. Perhaps more importantly, she has brought Skolt Sámi music to children through the award-winning Sävelpesä programme.

The ‘From Karelia to the Skolt Sámi Lands’ project began when Kauranne stumbled upon old publications on Skolt Sámi music traditions in various archives. These included recordings of Skolt Sámi leu’dd – traditional singing and oral storytelling – alongside dance songs and lullabies. 

“A lot of my work begins with exploring archives; they form the foundation of what I do,” Kauranne explains. While delving into these materials, she experienced a eureka moment. “I realised how many similarities there are between Karelian culture and music,” she says.

Kauranne and Lumikivi first connected when Kauranne interviewed Lumikivi about her music-making and her Skolt Sámi band, Suõmmkar. This conversation inspired the ‘From Karelia to the Skolt Sámi Lands’ project to take shape. Soon, folk musician Emmi Kuittinen, an expert in Karelian music and lament singing, joined the team, followed by Lumikivi’s father, Erkki Lumisalmi.

“It has been rewarding to have intergenerationality in the project; it’s rare in this profession. The tempo is different, and we always take time for coffee and a chat before rehearsals,” Kauranne says. She explains how each member of the collective contributes their unique talents, enriching the group with intergenerational wisdom and fresh perspectives.

Shared roots in song

The similarities between Karelian and Skolt Sámi cultures are evident in their traditional clothing, storytelling through song, and lament singing, which expresses grief and sorrow through music. It is worth noting that Karelian culture encompasses various dialects and regions on both the Finnish and Russian sides. In contrast, the Skolt Sámi are a smaller, more homogenous community, albeit with some regional differences.

The project began with lullabies, which revealed shared themes across these cultures. For Lumikivi, lament singing, another common element, was entirely new. With Kuittinen’s invaluable guidance, she has now embraced this tradition.

“Lament singing was completely new to me, even though it’s part of our heritage,” Lumikivi says. With few recordings available in the archives, she turned to her community for knowledge and has since started performing laments publicly.

For Kauranne, the project has been a journey of discovery. She has uncovered new information about her family, including recordings of her great-great-grandmother. Similarly, Lumikivi has deepened her understanding of her roots, as she also has Karelian heritage through her mother.

“The Karelian side of me has always felt more alien, perhaps because of the physical distance,” Lumikivi says. “It’s been wonderful to discover how much we share – I hadn’t even realised it before,” she adds. Her grandfather’s first language was Suvikarelian, and the group has taken courses to learn this endangered language.

A journey of respectful cultural sharing

The project has involved extensive cultural exchange within the group and the wider community. Lumikivi has consulted the Skolt Sámi Siida Administration (Saa’mi Siidsååbbar), a key body in Skolt Sámi self-governance, to ensure the project aligns with the community’s values. 

“We discussed what aspects of Skolt Sámi heritage could be shared and what should remain within the community,” Lumikivi explains. “It was clear to me that this was the correct way to do it, and it was great to get to discuss this with the community,” she adds.  

Kauranne agrees, emphasising the project’s commitment to cultural respect. “We’ve talked about this as a journey of discovery – getting to know our own culture and other cultures sustainably by mutual sharing,” she says. The collective has hosted open workshops on handicrafts and dance traditions, where tradition bearers have shared their knowledge, embodying the spirit of mutual sharing.

Their artistic collaboration began by exchanging vocal traditions within the group and creating music for concerts across Finland. This year, they’ve also offered public workshops on Karelian and Skolt Sámi music traditions.

Building an enduring cultural bridge

Both Kauranne and Lumikivi agree that sharing their music in concerts has been an emotional and rewarding experience. “The music itself is part of the exchange, and our connection with the audience is non-hierarchic – sometimes even a little rowdy,” Lumikivi says.

Therefore, collaboration between artists from Karelian and Skolt Sámi communities has provided a unique opportunity for artists and audiences alike to learn something new. The ‘From Karelia to the Skolt Sámi Lands’ project has built a musical bridge between these cultures. The foundation of this bridge is collaboration, grounded in trust, cultural sensitivity, and respect for tradition.

What next, then? As the group continues workshops and album launch concerts into next year, the album release marks a grand finale for the project. After that, new projects await – possibly carrying forward the spirit of ‘From Karelia to the Skolt Sámi Lands’.

Featured photo: Mikko Malmivaara