Kirste Paltto is the first Sami female writer. Her first book Soakŋu (Marriage Proposal, collection of short stories) was published in 1971. She has published 19 books. In addition to poetry and short story collections, children’s books and novels she has written plays for Sami and Finnish theatre and radio. Many of her poems, short stories and children stories have been translated into several languages. Some of her novels have been translated into Finnish and German. Her children book Vilges geađgi (White Stone, 1980) based on Sami oral tradition will be published in English in 2009 by Davvi Girji.
Paltto has received several awards for her books and other work for Sami language and culture. She was the founding chair of the Sami Writers’ Association in 1979 and chaired the organization until 1986. She has also been in charge of the Sami theatre Rávgoš. In 1989 she established a small publishing association and served as the chair for several years.
In addition to her writing, she is an accomplished artist, making unique art with reindeer leather and fabric.
Paltto was born in Vuovdaguoika, on the Finnish Upper Deatnu (Tana) River Valley. She currently lives in Ohcejohka/Utsjoki (Northern Finland).
1 Comment
So wonderful to have this informative multilingual website for this excellent writer! Paltto’s works are great contribution to the artistic treasury of humankind. I wish that many readers engage in readings her works in original and in translation. It would be nice to have some excerpts and interviews on this homepage.
Johanna Domokos