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- [00:10]
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How can a building help to create a stronger sense of belonging for Europe's last remaining indigenous community, the Saami Cultural center in Finland, while also acting as a parliament hall for the Saami people? You're listening to Tall Stories, a Monocle production brought to you by the team behind the Urbanist. I'm Andrew Tuck. In this episode, Petri Bourzov takes us to SAOs in Finland's northern Lapland.
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In the far north of Finnish Lapland, several hours north of the Arctic Circle, at the edge of a vast wilderness defined by boreal forests and freshwater lakes, stands the Sami Cultural center. It opened in 2012 following decades of discussion about the need for a central gathering place for the Sami, northern Europe's original inhabitants, and the continent's last remaining indigenous people. The center was created to bring together political decision making, cultural activities, and daily interactions for Sami people who are scattered across northern Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia and have often been neglected by their governments. A central gathering place provides a sense of cohesion that geography has long made difficult. From the outset, architects Yohani Palasma and Anstey Laslap involved the Sami community in the design of the building. They incorporated Sami building traditions in a way that intentionally avoided pastiche. Viewed from above, the structure curves in forms and that resemble a coiled lasso or reindeer horn. At ground level, the building presents a low horizontal profile. It appears to embrace the earth rather than dominate the landscape. Timber in warm tones clads the exterior, shifting with the Arctic light as it moves across the seasons. In winter, snow accumulates along its gentle slopes, causing the building to appear partially absorbed into the terrain. Inside, the materials reflect the northern environment. A large wooden hull forms the heart of the complex, with a ceiling that rises and bends like the interior of an upturned boat. Light enters through high windows, illuminating the timber grain. The acoustics of the space are well suited to political debates and talks, as well as the traditional Sami singing. Joik Sayos is more than a traditional cultural center. It houses the Sami Parliament of Finland, the elected body that represents the Sami in national decision making. During sessions, politicians discuss language education, land rights, and reindeer herding, the Sami people's main livelihood. The building includes offices, a library, conference facilities, and exhibition and performance spaces. Activities range from craft workshops to seminars on indigenous rites and concerts featuring Sami arts. This deliberate combination of functions addresses a history in which Sami culture was marginalized by state policies promoting assimilation. Throughout much of the 20th century, Sami languages were suppressed in schools and traditional livelihoods were restricted. In this context, constructing a visible contemporary center serves as a statement that samiculture is not a relic but a living, evolving force, the scale of Saios is also significant. While substantial, it is not monumental. Like many national institutions, it does not dominate the village of Inari, where it is located. Instead, it extends along the shoreline of the Yutuanyuki river and appears to engage with it rather than dominate it. This architectural restraint reflects the Sami worldview. To them, land is a partner in survival rather than an object to be controlled. For visitors from outside the Sami region and those unfamiliar with the culture, SIOS offers an educational experience demonstrating that Europe is home to indigenous nations with distinct languages and political structures. For Sami people themselves, the center provides not only a venue for political and cultural gatherings, but, perhaps more than anything else, recognition serving as an anchor for collective memory. While buildings alone cannot resolve political struggles, they can provide those struggles with a platform and a vision. And for many, Sami SAIOS does just that.
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Tall Stories is a monocle production from the team behind the Urbanist. This episode was written by Petri Butsov and produced and edited by David Stevens. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast to receive new episodes every week. I'm Anjah Tuck. Goodbye and thank you for listening, City Lovers.