Ulla Pirttijärvi & Ulda

Ulla Pirttijärvi & Ulda offer a unique concert bringing a fresh 2020s perspective on the art of Nils-Aslak Valkeapää (Áillohaš), a pioneer and icon of Sámi culture who was born 80 years ago. This carefully structured tribute concert includes new arrangements of Valkeapää’s compositions alongside new original works inspired by his art and poetry. The artists comment on Valkeapää’s art and tell his story through music and new lyrics.

The concert is performed by Ulla Pirttijärvi & Ulda, who have been playing together since 2009. The group has released two albums, Ulda (2012) and Roijk (2018) and performed around Finland as well as in Norway, France, Austria, Russia and the United States. Their debut album, Ulda, was nominated for the 2012 Ethno-Emma (‘Finnish Grammy’) prize. Their third album, Vuolgigoahtit, will be released in autumn 2023.

The members of the group are: Ulla Pirttijärvi (yoik vocals), Marko Jouste (guitar), Pessi Jouste (violin), Elias Nieminen (drums), Uula Jouste (bass and keyboards).

Áilu evening programme:

Presentation by Veli-Pekka Lehtola: Áillohaš – a man & mytography at 6 PM
Ulla Pirttijärvi & Ulda at 7.30 PM

The evening is hosted by journalist, writer Jorma Lehtola.

Production: Etnosoi! in collaboration with Music Museum Fame