On Jan. 16, 2026, the Sámi opera, “Ovllá,” composed by Cecilia Damström and Juho-Sire/Siri Broch Johansen will make its world premiere on the main stage of Oulu City Theatre.

“Ovllá” is about the disappearance of truth and about profound loneliness. It tells the story of having one’s roots and cultural heritage torn apart. The story follows a child, who is separated from their parents and forced into a boarding school, where they encounter an unfamiliar language and culture. This experience leads to the trauma of abandonment and isolation. What was once familiar becomes foreign, and the child grows up ashamed of their identity. This sense of alienation forms an identity that offers no peace.

The opera brings to stage the perspective of the Sámi, the only indigenous people of the Nordic countries, and the painful consequences of state-led oppression that continue to affect new generations of Sámi.

The cast consists of Emil Kárlsen, Ànne Máddji Heatta, Sara Margrethe Oskal, Ánndaris/Anders Rimpi, Niko Valkeapää, Sanna Iljin, Martin Iivarinen, Aki Saarela, and Ville Hummastenniemi, alongside a large choir and child performers. The opera is directed by Oulu City Theatre’s Director Heta Haanperä. Rumon Gamba conducts the Oulu Sinfonia.

Set design is by Geir Tore Holm with costumes by Helmi Hagelin. Jari Niemi is the sound designers and Øystein Heitmann is the lighting designer. Choreography is by Auri Ahola.

In a press release, artistic director of Oulu Theatre, Alma Lehmuskallio said, “Old operas often take a very patriarchal world view, seeing the world through a colonialist lens.” For this reason, I wanted the brand new opera we commissioned for the 2026 programme to be created from a minority perspective. Johansen’s libretto is an a magnificent, deep, even contradictory story about the life of main character Ovllá, and all of its events are either true or could have taken place.”