Since 2005, the Sámi Duojdi Foundation has awarded the scholarship in memory of the root craftsman Asa Kitok.
The prize money is 75,000 kroner and the Asa Kitok scholarship goes this year to craftsmen Doris and Sven-Åke Risfjell.
They have extensive experience in running duodji companies and have exhibited at exhibitions both nationally and internationally. Together they also run a shop in Vilhelmina.
– After all the years we have worked in the service of the Sámi legend, it feels fantastic that together we can receive the Asa Kitok scholarship, they say in a press release.
As scholarship holders, they now get their own exhibition at Jokkmokk market next year.
– It will now be extra inspiring to work during the year to create beautiful works for that exhibition. It is so glorious, like receiving a Sami Nobel Prize.
In the justification, it is possible to read, among other things:
“Doris and Sven-Åke have together for a long time and at a high level, explored and spread their Southern Sami duodji. With a strong connection to the home area, they have both demonstrated passion, knowledge and creativity, which has proven to be a recipe for duodji of the highest class.”
The text is updated: