Sondre Närva Pettersen is a Sami/Norwegian musician, composer, and joiker with roots in the Sea Sami heartland of Moskavuotna/Ullsfjord, outside Tromsø. He lives in Bergen, where he completed his master’s degree in "Joik and Sustainability from a Sami Perspective" at the University of Bergen, in collaboration with Frode Fjellheim at Nord University. Originally trained as a jazz vocalist at the Jazz Department in Trondheim, Sondre now teaches at the Grieg Academy’s Young Talents program.
Närva has worked as a musician and composer on numerous music and performing arts projects, collaborating with institutions such as Riksteatret, Det Norske Teatret, Trøndelag Teater, and Hålogaland Teater. In the summer of 2024, he premiered his groundbreaking work Šlobboten at the Arctic Arts Festival in Northern Norway. This piece, based on his personal collection of joik, hymn singing, video material, and interviews from Moskavuotna/Ullsfjord, explored themes such as Norwegianization, Sea Sami culture, and reconciliation. The work was created in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team of renowned artists, including Kristoffer Lo, Hildegunn Øiseth, Snorre Bjerch, Elisabeth Lid Trøen, and video artist Oscar Udbye.
Together with other collaborators, he has received the prestigious Heddaprisen for Best Children's and Youth Performance, been nominated for the Spellemann Award in the Open Category, and serves on the committee for the Norwegian State Artist Grant under the Arts Council Norway.
As a composer, Närva is more active than ever. His three major composition projects for 2024–2027 include works for Beaivváš – The Sami National Theatre (Kautokeino), Borealis – A Festival for Experimental Music (Bergen), and the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra.
Listening Station: We Who Live Between Worlds / Mii geat orrut mellom verdener
Närva's newly composed piece, which will be presented during Sami Church Days, explores reconciliation in a Christian context. The work was created in collaboration with Ragnhild Jepsen, Bishop of the Diocese of Bjørgvin, and Kjetil Almenning, Cathedral Cantor at Bergen Cathedral. The report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission serves as a backdrop for the composition, which reflects the process of reconciliation. In this piece, Närva examines the relationship between joik and Sami hymn singing.
Friday 15:00–16:00 and Saturday 15:30–16:30
Nordlysrommet, Northern Lights Cathedral Alta Church (cinema hall in the lower level)
The listening station is open to all—come in, listen, and be moved. The composer will not be present.
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