Carte Blanche: BIRGET; ways to deal, ways to heal

A dance performance developed by Elle Sofe Sara & Joar Nango, and performed by Carte Blanche, The Norwegian National Company for Contemporary Dance. | Dánsačájáhus – Elle Sofe Sara & Joar Nango In recent decades, several Western countries have set up commissions to investigate the history of minority groups subjected to systematic state abuse. BIRGET; Ways to deal, ways to heal is a response to the Norwegian Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which in June 2023 will submit proposals to reconcile the Sami and Norwegian people. Birget is a Sami expression that describes a state of mastering or surviving in a changing environment. Driven by birget, Sara, Nango, and Carte Blanche invite the audience to overcome the fear of touching a heavy and challenging topic with a frisky performance that questions social and political boundaries, limitations, and today’s climate of reconciliation. The performance process started in Guovdageaidnu/Kautokeino where the Carte Blanche dancers experienced the Sami culture, polar night, and the northern cold on their bodies. Through encounters with the Sami people, personal stories of state abuse were shared with the dancers – experiences they carry with them on stage. The scenography’s materials and objects were also collected on the tundra in Finnmark. Idea and concept | Idéa ja konseapta: Elle Sofe Sara & Joar Nango Choreography | Koreografiija: Elle Sofe Sara Scenography | Scenografiija: Joar Nango Costume design | Bivttashábmejeaddji: Indrani Balgobin Composer | Komponista: Anders Rimpi Light Design | Čuovgahábmejeaddji: Arne Kambestad Dramaturg | Dramaturga: Thomas Schaupp Choreography Assistant: Alexandra Wingate Research | Research: Ravdna Turi Henriksen Dancers | Dánsárat: Adrian Barczak, Aslak Aune Nygård, Brecht Bovijn, Caroline Eckly, Dawid Lorenc, Gaspard Schmitt, Ihsaan de Banya, Mai Lisa Guinoo, Nadege Kubwayo, Noam Eidelman Shatil, Ole Martin Meland, Naomi Schouten, Trine Lise Moe A guest performance produced by Zodiak – Center for New Dance.