Multitalented

 It is not easy to describe this year’s young artist. This because Niillas Holmberg is multitalented and there is just so much to say about him. We can start by mentioning that he debuted as an author last fall with publisher DAT, founded by Nils Aslak Valkeapää. He did this with a collection of poems titled «Dego livččen oaidnán iežan» (It was as if I’d seen myself), edited by the famous sami poet Mari Aikio-Arianaick.  

We can also mention that Holmberg, together with his companion Roope Mäenpää, is heading to Tampere to record an album. But first, he has to finish the «Allaq» tour, the latest play by the sami theatre Beaivváš, where Holmberg has one of the main roles. And finally, we may mention that this artist still hasn’t turned twenty.

Young and promising

– I’ve been undertaking creative work since I was little. It’s been a lot of work, but I’ve also had my share of luck and been in a good environment for it’, says Holmberg, who despite of his talents appears as a very humble person. Riddu Riđđu is an important event in Sápmi, with a good reputation and for young sami creative workers like myself, it is a great honour to be chosen as the young artist of the year.

During the festival, Niillas Holmberg will be reading poems and exhibit illustrations from his book – drawn by Antti Väre. He will also perform music together with Roope Mäenpää, and perhaps there will even be a theatre performance.