Located in the heart of Inari, the Sámi Cultural Centre Sajos will organize Sámi handicraft workshops also this summer – workshops that have been organized for two summers now. Visitors have the opportunity to make their own Sámi souvenir to take back home and learn about the history and traditions from the instructor.

At the workshop visitors get to choose from variety of different handicrafts, and create their own handicraft with the help of workshop instructor. From the options can be found both traditional and more modern used handicrafts, such as a pouch made of reindeer leather or a bag for electronic gadgets made of traditional fabric used in Sámi clothing. Besides offering work instructors, the instructor tells about the history of Sámi handicrafts and about their own handicraft techniques.

Handicraft workshops are part of the development of cultural content production in Sajos. The purpose of the Sámi handicraft workshop is to enhance the recognition of Sámi handicrafts and thereby raise awareness of the Sámi as indigenous people. Workshops are produced is cooperation with the Duodji Shop at Sajos. Duodji Shop sells authentic Sámi handicrafts.

A wide range of handcrafted items

Sámi handicrafts have long traditions and generally by Sámi handicraft is meant functional items, such as clothing, tools, household supplies, traps and jewelry, which are made by hand. Also nowadays the traditions of handicrafts are in natural materials, handicrafts are made by following the old tradition but at the same time applying the new working methods and new use by regions.

Depending on how much time they can spend, visitors can make a tin or pearl bracelet, woven belt or a reindeer leather pouch. Arts and crafts workshops are arranged in the main foyer at Sajos for a fee. Groups should book their workshops in advance in case additional instructors are needed.

Sajos Sámi handicraft workshops are held on weekdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. between 1 July and 14 August 2015.

Summer opening times:

Sajos info:                          Mon - Fri 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Duodji shop:                       Mon - Fri 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Restaurant Lyeme:              Mon – Fri 10 .a.m. – 6 p.m.

Sámi library:                       Mon - Tue 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Wed-Thu 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Fri 10 a.m. -4 p.m.

More information:

Johanna Alatorvinen, Marketing Manager, Sámi Cultural Centre Sajos, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , tel. +358 10 839 3109, www.sajos.fi

Aune Musta, Managing Director, Duodji Shop, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , tel. +358 400-637178, www.samiduodji.com