The exhibition «Eallin Áhkkavákkis ovdal 1940. Jan Güettler govaid ja muitalusaid vuođđun / Life in Kjerringdalen before 1940. Based on Jan Güettler's photos and stories», is a documentation of daily life in Kjerringdalen before World War II, when people drew their strength and livelihood from nature.
The exhibition is composed of Jan Güettler's photographic material from 1939 and artefacts from Kjerringdalen and Márjj-Iŋgá's house. The material reflects life in Kjerringdalen, which was based on the sustainable use of local raw materials, while trade has provided access to other goods and money.
In the summer of 1936, Jan Güettler, (1917 - 1944), and his film expedition hiked from the mountains of Lapland to the coast of the Arctic Ocean. They made film recordings that later became the short film «Nordanfärd». This journey took Güttler to Kjerringdalen for the first time.
He returned in January 1939 and stayed for a month. The photographs in the exhibition were taken during this stay. The texts are adapted excerpts from Güettler's manuscript «Vidden kallar». The excerpts include Jan's memoirs from the 1936 film expedition and from his return to Kjerringdalen in 1939, which were transcribed and edited by Kalle Güettler, 2022.
The exhibition is open Monday-Friday from 10:00-15:00 until 19 November 2022.
Thanks to Sami Archive, Kalle Güettler, Tor Nilsen and Ingvild Larsen.