Other party of Sami in the special photoproject of Joel Marklund

Joel Marklund is the Swedish sports photographer with a 10-year experience and an ambassador of the Nikon company in Europe. It just finished the joint project with Nikon devoted to Sami – nationalities which live in Lapland. And now Joel tells how there took place work on a series of photos that he learned new about Sami and why devoted the project to them.

What induced you to devote the project to Sami?


Thanks to the profession of the sports photographer I travel much. In 2016, for example, I spent abroad 220 days. I already got used to wander through towns and villages, following various stories or events. And, judging by my experience, the most interesting stories are not necessarily connected with the most exotic or remote corners of Earth. When I had an opportunity to work over the special project with the Nikon company, I resolved to devote it to those values in which I trust and which are really important for me. History of Sami is lit infrequently, and still it is very close to me.



Why this project is close to you?



As the Swede I feel deep disappointment how my country treated the Lappish people. And this unworthy situation takes place to this day. Sweden in 2007 voted for the Declaration of the UN on rights of indigenous peoples. But still she did not fulfill the requirements of the Convention of the ILO about the indigenous people and the people leading a breeding life (1989, No. 169), despite the recommendations of the international bodies about human rights. To indigenous people often treat as second-class citizens. They should refuse the native language, the whole families are forced to leave territories in which their ancestors lived generations. I had to draw attention to stories of certain representatives of these people and give them an opportunity to express

How much did you know about Sami prior to work on the special project of Nikon?

I was born and grew up in the city of Budene in the north of Sweden, near the place of residence of the Lappish communities. My initial interest in these people is explained by it. However now I understand how a little I knew about their traditions and a way of life. Especially if to consider that role which they played in the history of my country throughout centuries. This project completely captured me and taught me to much. The main conclusion to which I came: everything can be not such as it seems.

What attracts you in this community?


There are many strong Sami, and they resist to oppression differently. Despite long-term discrimination, today many young Sami declare themselves and are proud of the national identity. There came the present of changes, and it brings me into admiration. Lapland (Sapmi) covers the northern regions of Norway, Sweden, Finland and the Kola Peninsula relating to Russia. In spite of the fact that these people are divided by official borders of four states, it continues to exist as the uniform community united by cultural and language ties and the general identity. For Sami frontiers do not matter. For them there is only their region — Lapland.

What is represented by Wednesday in which they live, and how exactly you wanted to show it in the photos?

One of my main objectives during the work on this project was in that being beyond the stereotypes connected with community the Sami. Many just consider them "the reindeer breeders living in mountains", and are not to learn with desire about them more. Though reindeer breeding also is an important part of their culture, many Sami nevertheless live and work in the cities. For example, the young woman by the name of Maxida Marak took part in my project. She grew up in traditional Lappish community, but became the successful singer in the city. I am happy that I managed to photograph it in traditional clothes in a situation in which she grew up and also on the stage during preparation for a performance before numerous public. The subject of cultural contrasts stands out through all series of photos.

Of what idea would you like to inform the audience the series of photos within the special project of Nikon?
The purpose of my special project for Nikon — to tell people about the Lappish community. I am a newspaper photographer. By means of photos I tell stories, and history of Sami is really remarkable. I hope that thanks to my works many people will want to learn more about these people and will be able to estimate its beauty.

Why you chose such creative approach?


I wanted to depict each hero dressed in what unites all Sami – in traditional gakt clothes. One of representatives of the people told me: "Without gakta we are invisible". Clothes of Sami – an important element of their culture, it is possible to determine by it in what part of Lapland there lives a person or from where he is. Dresses of a gakta are very beautiful and are often incredibly colourful. It is impossible to call them invisible in any way. I wanted to create a series of images on which Sami would be presented both in traditional clothes and a situation, and in everyday labor life – such with what other people see them most often. I photographed people of various professions — from singers and dancers to manufacturers of drums. And each of them can brag of tremendous history of the life.

To photograph such people as Sami, can be a difficult task. At the same time their stories want to be expressed most fully and brightly. I hope that in the series of images I managed to reach it.

What moment of shooting was remembered to you most of all?

During the first week of work I was invited this custom it is necessary for Sami to join the group of Sami driving deer for slaughter — for survival. All hard worked including children. Among them there was a girl by the name of Marika Renhuvud who was full of determination to help adults from early morning to the night. I photographed Marika and her family within several days, and later learned that this girl studies in Ballet academy of Stockholm (Ballet Academy Stockholm). It seems to me, for the sake of discovery of such cultural contrasts and this project is necessary. Thanks to Marika I learned a lot of things about the culture of the Lappish people and could get acquainted with life of young Sami which as if it is divided into two contrasting parts.