Anja Storelv

Anja Kathrin Storelv (néé Vesterheim;[1][2] born 18 February 1979) is a Sámi musician, singer, and preschool teacher.[3] She has won the best song category of the Sámi Grand Prix twice, first in 1998 and then in 1999.[4]

Anja Storelv
Birth nameAnja Vesterheim
Born (1979-02-18) 18 February 1979
Skånland, Norway
Genrespop, yoik
Occupationsmusician, yoiker, and preschool teacher
Instrumentsvoice
Years active1996–present
Member ofAnja Storelv Band
Formerly ofSkáddjil

Early years and education

Anja Kathrin Vesterheim was born on 18 February 1979 in Skånland, Norway. She grow up in Reinåsen in Trøsemark.[5][6] When she was 8, she started singing in the children's choir at Skånland Church.[5][7] She continued singing in the youth choir, as well. In addition to being involved in music, she actively competed in various sports such as cycling and cross-country skiing.[8][9] After school, Vesterheim moved to Tromso to study to become a teacher at Tromsø University College.[10]

The year 2002 turned out to be a busy one for Vesterheim. For example, she graduated which from Tromsø University College as a preschool teacher, kicked off the Karasjok Easter Festival, and entertained the crowds at that year's Márkomeannu music festival.[11][6][12] In addition, she moved from Norway to the town of Råneå in Sweden.

Career

In 1996, when she was 17, she participated in that year's Sámi Grand Prix for the first time.[4][7][13] She sang the song Vievdan. Issát Sámmol Hætta of Máze wrote the lyrics for the song and Turid Vesterheim adapted them to the dialect of Northern Sámi spoken in the Ofoten region.[4][7] The music for the song was composed by Rune Hovdan.[7] Vesterheim placed sixth in the competition.

A few years later, she took part in the Sámi Grand Prix again. This time she won the best song category with Guorus Váibmu.[4] She both wrote and composed the song herself.[4] After her victory, she was invited to yoik for Mikhail Gorbachev when he was visiting Norway. At Harstad/Narvik Airport, she yoiked for Gorbachev, his wife Raisa, and the professors accompanying them from the Gorbachev Foundation.[14]

In 1999, she once again competed in the Sámi Grand Prix, this time with a pop song called Boares muitu.[1][4] The song's lyrics were written by Idar and Kenneth Reinås.[15] She went on to win the best song category at this year's competition too.[15] After winning, she was invited to sing at the opening of the new Saami Parliament building on 2 November 2000.[16]

In 2015, she took part for the fourth time in the Sámi Grand Prix competition, this time with her new surname Storelv. She sang the song Liegga sallas, which had been written and composed for her by Bernt Mikkel Haglund. Storelv did not place in the top 3.[4]

Over the years, she has actively toured Sápmi with her bands, performing at many large events such as Márkomeannu and the Karasjok Easter Festival. In addition, she has given concerts over the years in other large cities with a sizeable Sámi population.

Discography

Storelv has published two studio albums:Viervái in 2012 and Niegadit in 2015.

Studio albums
  • 2012 – Viervái
  • 2015 – Niegadit

Compilation albums
  • 2016 – Sámi Grand Prix 2014 & 2015, with the song Liegga salla

References
  1. Idivuoma, Per-Josef (1 May 2015). "Anja Storelv: Jag kände mig fri" [Anja Storelv: I felt free]. Sveriges Radio (in Swedish). Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  2. "Vi gifter oss" [We are getting married] (in Norwegian). Vol. 118, no. 74. 27 March 2004. p. 50.
  3. Wede, Lisa já Pettersson, André (30 October 2015). "Anja Storelv skapade sin samiska identitet". Sveriges Radio (in Swedish). Retrieved 26 May 2022.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. Hætta, Wenche Marie (29 March 2007). "Hvem-Hva-Når om Sámi Grand Prix". NRK Sápmi (in Norwegian and Northern Sami). Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  5. "Flyr høyt etter Sami Grand Prix" (in Norwegian). Vol. 112, no. 88. 18 April 1998. pp. 25–27.
  6. "Márkomeannu 2002" (in Northern Sami). Vol. 10, no. 61. 31 July 2002. p. 6.
  7. "Satser på samisk Melodi Grand Prix" (in Norwegian). Vol. 110, no. 47. 24 February 1996. p. 17.
  8. "Sykkel i Nordreisa" (in Norwegian). Vol. 5, no. 58. 23 June 1992. p. 11.
  9. "Sekundstrid blant jentene" (in Norwegian). Vol. 106, no. 64. 16 March 1992. p. 13.
  10. "Anja satser samisk". NRK Sápmi (in Norwegian). 7 November 2000. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  11. "Nye førskolelærere" (in Norwegian). Vol. 101, no. 116. 24 May 2002. p. 37.
  12. "Bivastahtte Anja" (in Northern Sami). Vol. 10, no. 28. 6 April 2002. pp. 14–15.
  13. "Niegadit – Anja Storelv Band". Sveriges Radio (in Swedish). 9 April 2015. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  14. "Hilste Gorbie med joik" (in Norwegian). Vol. 112, no. 106. 11 May 1998. p. 1.
  15. "Anja vant på ny" [Anja won again] (in Norwegian). Vol. 113, no. 77. 6 April 1999. p. 45.
  16. "Rahpan duoddara čábbáseamos visttis". Áššu (in Northern Sami). Vol. 8, no. 88. 4 November 2000. p. 5. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
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