Ursäkten to premiere in Uppsala Cathedral

Ursäkten is a performance blending joik (traditional Sámi singing), stories, new dialogues and powerful images on stagePhoto: Giron Sámi Teáhter

The premiere of the theatre performance Ursäkten will take place on 2 October 2025 in Uppsala Cathedral. The performance is being organised in conjunction with the first session of the General Synod, but is open to the public. Ursäkten is a collaboration between Giron Sámi Teáhter and Estrad Norr.

It is an artistic response to the Church of Sweden’s apology to the Sámi people, made in 2021 by the then Archbishop Antje Jackelén.

Ursäkten is a mix of joik, stories, new dialogues and powerful images presented on stage. It addresses issues of colonisation, guilt and making amends, but also spirituality, resistance and survival. The production is based on both research and artistic work, with the action moving between past and present, and the church organ and joik featuring as key parts of the performance.

“The fact that Ursäkten is being premiered here in Uppsala Cathedral at the same time as the General Synod is both symbolic and important,” says Karin Perers, Chair of the General Synod. “It gives us a chance to listen, reflect and take responsibility for our common history and future.”

After the premiere in Uppsala, Ursäkten will be performed in several locations around Sweden.

Facts:

• The Church of Sweden made its official apology to the Sámi people on 24 November 2021 in Uppsala Cathedral.
• The apology concerned the church’s historical responsibility for the abuse, discrimination and Swedification of the Sámi.
• The Church of Sweden also made eight commitments aimed at repairing the relationship with the Sámi people.
• One of these is to make Sámi spirituality, theology and ecclesiastical tradition visible within the Church of Sweden, something that is highlighted in the Ursäkten performance.

Upcoming performances:

2 October, Uppsala Cathedral (premiere)

6 October, Härnösand Cathedral

9 October, Skara Cathedral

27 October, Lund Cathedral

7 November, Linköping Cathedral

10 November, Strängnäs Cathedral

14 November, Gothenburg Cathedral

17 November, Luleå Cathedral