Finnish Institute in the UK and Ireland, The Embassy of Finland London, The Finnish Presidency of the Barents Euro-Arctic Council 2021-2023, and Sámediggi – the Sámi Parliament invite you to the screening of Eatnameamet – Our Silent Struggle by Suvi West. Eatnameamet – Our Silent Struggle is a political documentary revealing the Finnish Government’s assimilation and colonization policy towards the Sámi people. The Sámi people are fighting for their existence and their uncertain future with political acts. Eatnameamet is a pamphlet and a cry for help for the future of the only indigenous people of the European Union – through the voices of the Sámi people themselves. The film will be introduced to the audience by Vice President of the Sámi Parliament Koivu-Jusse Ánne (Anni Koivisto) and activist Ella Biehtár Arvvu Iiddá (Ida-Maria Helander), and after the screening there will be a Q&A.
The film screening is part of a larger event organised by the Embassy of Finland, London. A delegation from the Finnish Presidency of the Barents Euro-Arctic Council and The Sámi Parliament, hosted by the Embassy of Finland, will be in London to meet decision makers and visit different institutions. The goal of these visits and the screening is to increase awareness about the challenges faced by the Sámi peoples.
Doavtter-Piera Suvi Máret (Suvi West) (b.1982) has worked as a freelance director, script writer and editor. Her recent documentaries examine the treatment of Sámi peoples in Finland. Her newest film, Máhccan – Homecoming will premiere in September. It tells the story of the repatriation processes of Sámi objects placed in museums in Finland and around the world.
Partners
The Finnish Cultural Institute for the Benelux
The Finnish Cultural Institute for the Benelux, based in Brussels, builds bridges and maintains connections between cultural practitioners and institutions in Finland and the Benelux region. The Finnish Cultural Institute for the Benelux website.
The Sámi Parliament – Sámediggi
The Sámi Parliament is the supreme political body of the Sámi in Finland representing the Sámi in national and international connections. It is an independent legal entity of public law which, due to its self-governmental nature, is not a state authority or part of the public administration. The Sámi Parliament’s website.
Embassy of Finland, London
The Embassy of Finland in London is an official representative of the Finnish Government in the UK. Embassy of Finland, London website.
The Finnish Presidency of the Barents Euro-Arctic Council 2021-2023
The Barents Euro-Arctic Council (BEAC) aims to promote stability and sustainable development in the Barents region, which covers the northern parts of Finland, Sweden, Norway and Russia. Finland holds the presidency of the council during 2021-2023. The Barents Euro-Arctic Council’s website.
The event is free of charge but registration is required. The venue is wheelchair accessible and has the latest technology to provide audio description and hard-of-hearing facilities. The film is in Sámi and Finnish with English subtitles.
Eatnameamet – Our Silent Struggle at Odeon Luxe Haymarket (11/18 Panton St, London SW1Y 4DP) at 6pm on Tuesday 26 September. Please register via Eventbrite.
In the picture: Ida-Maria Helander, former President of the Finnish Sámi Youth. The film follows her journey into United Nation’s Indigenous Issues event held in New York. Photo by Anssi Kömi.
