Ulla Pirttijärvi & Ulda

Folk Music of the Far, Far North: Sámi Joik Singer Ulla Pirttijärvi & Ulda

Living high above the Arctic Circle, herding reindeer while wearing fantastic costumes of electric blue and fire-engine red, the Sámi -- once known as "Laplanders" -- are among the world's most mysterious peoples. For centuries, outsiders knew little about the "Lapps" aside from garbled legends of battles with trolls and magic drums that could cast spells. Now esteemed Finnish Sámi singer Ulla Pirttijärvi-Länsman and her ensemble Ulda present a concert of Sámi "joik" music, one of Europe's oldest musical traditions. Though deeply steeped in her unique culture, Ulla's haunting compositions plug into something deeper and older than any one tradition. Pulsing with a force that is ancient, even timeless, her music is impossible to forget. Experience the profound richness of Sámi art through this contemporary folk concert at Scandinavia House.