Riddu Riđđu Festivàla is an international Indigenous festival, which takes place annually in Manndalen, Kåfjord municipality, Nord-Troms county.

For more than 30 years, Riddu Riđđu has worked to create a stronger awareness and pride about the Sámi. The festival has an international Indigenous profile and in 2009 the festival got national hub status. The festival is open-air and has program for the whole family. 

Kåfjord 1991: Some youths gather at a barbecue. They talk about identity and their roots. Why is being Sami connected to shame? Why is our Sami background not spoken about, even though Sami was the mother tounge of our grandparents?

The youth felt that this hidden identity was something they couldn’t continue to live with, they decided to rather be proud of their Sea Sami background. Through music and culture they wished to turn shame into pride. The Riddu Riđđu festival was thus started.

The youth met much resistance. Road signs with Sami names were fired at, the youth working for the festival were laughed at, spit on and poured beer over. Families were split because some in the family recognized their Saami heritage while others denied it.

But the youth didn’t give up, the festival grew in breadth and scope. The resistance against the Sami became less and less agressive. They received support and recognition from local authorities, the public and artists. Several began using the traditional Sami dress and learn the Sami language. In 2009 they also received national recognition when Riddu Riđđu, as one of 12 festivals in Norway, received status as a hub festival, which made it a fixed item on the state budget. 

Want to learn more? Read HERE.

Today, Riddu Riđđu has 4 full-year employees, in addition to a volunteer staff of 120 people who, throughout the year, contributes to planning, preparing and conducting the festival. Around 200 volunteers from all over the world helps us during the festival.

In addition to our festival program in July, we work hard to promote Sámi art and culture on various stages nationally and internationally throughout the year.

The corporation Riddu Riđđu Festivála AS was established January 1st, 2010 and is responsible for the operation of the Riddu Riđđu Festivála. Riddu Riđđu Festivála AS is 100% owned by the association "Riddu Riđđu Searvi". The members mainly consist of staff working with the festival. The corporation has no commercial purposes.

The board of RRFAS:

• Bente Ovedie Skogvang, Chair of the Board (Elected for Riddu Riđđu)
• Maria Løkvoll (Elected for Riddu Riđđu)
• Mats Roar Sakshaug (Elected for Riddu Riđđu)
• Ørjan Bertelsen (Elected for Riddu Riđđu)
• Kristin Bjørn (Elected for Troms and Finnmark County)
• Inga Lillevoll (Elected for the Sámi Parliament)
• Jens Kristian Nilsen (Elected for Kåfjord Municipality)