The Sámi Museum Siida in Inari, Finnish Lapland, has been chosen as the European Museum of the Year. The award was presented on Saturday evening at the European Museum Forum conference in Portimãos in Portugal’s Algarve region.
Museum director Taina Pieski said she was pleased that Siida's recent redesign and diverse work on behalf of Sámi cultural heritage had been recognised on the European level.
"The Sámi Museum Siida, as an indigenous museum, is primarily for the Sámi people themselves. But we are extremely pleased to see how our Sámi story resonates with the entire European museum community and people around the world," she said in her acceptance speech.
Pieski said that the award belongs to the entire Sámi community, including its elders who have supported the museum’s work with their knowledge and skills. She noted that more than 300 members of the Sámi community had taken part in preparations for Siida’s new main exhibition, in which indigenous people tell their own stories.
Director calls for repatriation of artefacts from around Europe
"We hope that this award gives us strength to continue our important repatriation work for our community. For this work, we need the support of the entire European museum community so that the artefacts of our ancestors return home to Sápmi" – the Sámi name for their traditional territory, which extends over parts of present-day Sweden, Norway, Finland and Russia.
The Sámi Museum was established in 1959. Siida opened in its current building, designed by leading architect Juhani Pallasmaa, with an associated Nature Centre in 1998. It also operates the Skolt Sámi Heritage House in Sevettijärvi, Inari.
Users with an Yle ID can leave comments on our news stories. You can create your Yle ID via this link. Our guidelines on commenting and moderation are explained here.