Äʹvv Skolt Sámi Museum, Skolt Saami museum in Sør-Varanger, Norway
The Äʹvv Skolt Sámi Museum is a building in Neiden that displays the history and way of life of the Skolt Sámi people. Inside, visitors find old photographs, traditional clothing, tools, and multimedia displays arranged in connected rooms that tell the story of this small group living across the border region of Norway, Finland, and Russia.
The Skolt Sámi are the original inhabitants of the border area between Norway, Finland, and Russia, where they have lived for many generations. The museum opened in 2017 to document how this people have maintained their language, traditions, and way of life despite the major changes of the past century.
The museum's name comes from the Skolt Sámi language, reflecting the importance of keeping this language alive. Visitors can see how the Skolt Sámi have maintained their traditions, from fishing and reindeer herding to clothing and family customs, through displays of everyday objects and historical photographs.
The museum is located in a quiet area near forest and countryside, making it a peaceful place to view the exhibits at your own pace. The rooms are easy to navigate, and there is a shop and café available for visitors who want to take time to explore.
The museum is part of a larger network of four museums in the region that together preserve the history of several Sámi groups. This collaboration allows visitors to understand a broader perspective on the cultures of the North.
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