Revitalising Skolt Saami Culture: visit to the Valamo Monastery in Finland strengthens heritage ties

02.10.2025

In September 2025, Ä´vv Skolt Saami Museum (Neiden) in cooperation with the Interreg Aurora Oummu rââst raaj project arranged a study tour to the Valamo Monastery, situated in Heinävesi, Finland. The tour gathered Skolt Saami community members from Finland and Norway as part of the broader efforts to revitalise Skolt Saami culture and language, reconnecting communities across the borders.

The Valamo Monastery in Heinävesi - one of the most important centers of Orthodox culture in Finland - holds special significance for the Skolt Saami, whose cultural heritage has been deeply connected with the Orthodox faith for centuries. For many participants, the trip was not only a spiritual retreat but also a chance to explore the lesser-known aspects of Skolt Saami religious history and their historical ties to the Orthodox Church, dating back to the Pechenga (Petsamo) region.

Hanna-Maaria Kiprianoff, manager of the Ä´vv Skolt Saami Museum and main organizer of the tour, emphasized the role of such trips in language revitalisation efforts: “Bringing the language into meaningful, lived contexts — whether in religious ceremonies or in personal reflection — is vital. It reminds us that the language is not just for textbooks; it is for life.”

The group was warmly welcomed by Archimandrite Mikael, head of the monastery. During the program, participants engaged in a variety of cultural and educational activities, including:

• Introduction by the Valamo Monastery “From Petsamo Monastery to Valamo – in the footsteps of Saint Tryphon of Petsamo”, followed by a visit to nearby cemetery to honor the graves of monks who once lived in the historic Petsamo Monastery;
• Moleben (prayer service) in the Skolt Saami language;
• Presentations by Hanna-Maaria Kiprianoff and Irja Jefremoff, who explored Skolt Saami history, family lineages, and evolving identity;
• A joyful Skoltquadrille dance performance, which brought movement and music into the program

The cultural highlight of the visit was a concert by Suõmmkar, a band known for blending traditional Skolt Saami music with modern influences. To conclude the program, participants gathered at the traditional Skolt Saami tea table, enjoying informal discussions at Restaurant Trapesa.

Picture: concert by Suõmmkar 

For many, the trip to Valamo was a deeply emotional experience — a reconnection with ancestral roots, sacred traditions, and living language. “The monastery visit reminded us of the resilience of our traditions, and it gave us space to speak, sing, and pray in our language.”, said one of the participants of the study tour.

Ä´vv Skolt Saami Museum and Oummu rââst raaj project (funded by the Interreg Aurora Program) will continue to arrange activities aimed at revitalising Skolt Saami culture and language in the coming months. Skolt Saami language course and cultural café in Neiden, seminar on Skolt Saami history and heritage in Inari, winter and summer camps for the Skolt Saami community and many other exciting events are being planned in cooperation with relevant actors. Follow us on Facebook and stay informed!

Links:

Ä´vv Skolt Saami Museum: https://dvmv.no/en/vv-skoltesamisk-muse/avv-skoltesami-museum/, https://www.facebook.com/skoltesamiskmuseum

Oummu rââst raaj (People cross the border) project: https://dvmv.no/en/vv-skoltesamisk-muse/oummu-raast-raaj-project/project-activities/, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572079001822, inari.fi/oummu

More about the history of the Valamo Monastery: https://valamo.fi/en/Monastery/history

Picture: participants of the visit

More information from Oummu rââst raaj project's project manager Joni Gauriloff joni.gauriloff@inari.fi