Leahkit means 'to be present' in the North Sami language, a physical, emotional and spiritual state that has become a luxury item in a time focused primarily on multi-tasking. Hansegård and Vassvik have delved into their respective trance traditions in dance and music, which were silenced by Norwegianisation and Christianisation. Leahkit is a unique meeting of Norwegian folk dance and joik that cultivates the journey between different forms of presence.
Hallgrim Hansegård founded FRIKAR in 2006 to give Norwegian folk dance more artistic freedom. His work has toured in 30 countries and in 2013 he won the silver Prix Italia award. He has learned from the old masters, dusted off rare scriptures and is ever seeking knowledge about people and new forms of collaboration.
Torgeir Vassvik is one of Norway’s most prominent joikers. He represents continuity and renewal in the transmission of coastal Sami music, in a happy combination of Eastern with Western elements.
* Unexpectedly mystical and utterly compelling, not least because both men are masters of their art. - The Herald
* Hansegård has a strong stage presence. One of NordDance’s more challenging, yet memorable, works. - The Scotsman
* In Leahkit he artfully and groundbreakingly combines the archaic with the contemporary and thus is a real genious of his art. - Westdeutscher Rundfunk
* Leahkit is an experience you can't protect yourself against. - Finnmark Dagblad
* A rare, meditative experience, with its own kind of peace - Scenekunst.no
* It's hard to mix traditional dance with joik, but they have made it with unbelivable success. - NRK Sápmi
Credits
Idea, choreography & dance: Hallgrim Hansegård
Music by and with: Torgeir Vassvik
Dramaturg: Matthias Quabbe
Light & set design: Horst Mühlberger
Costumes: Sylvia Denais & Hallgrim Hansegård
Advicers: Karene Lyngholm & Maja Ratkje
Sound design: Herman Kvelprud
Co-producers: Dansens Hus, Teater Innlandet & Beaivvas Sami National Theatre
