NONAM organizes an Arctic Day this Sunday in Zurich, with a focus on movement and voice. The program includes Inuit sports games and a famous duet of throat singers.
For this year’s Arctic Day, the North American Native Museum (NONAM) in Zurich is offering visitors a varied program that will plunge children and adults into the fascinating world of the Far North. Nunavut will be in the spotlight, with a demonstration of Inuit Olympic games and the musical presence of PIQSIQ.
The highlight of the day will be a concert by sisters Tiffany Kuliktana Ayalik and Kayley Inuksuk Mackay, who form the duo PIQSIQ, giving visitors the chance to (re)discover the famous katajjaq. This traditional Inuit throat-singing has known a resurgence in popularity in recent years, thanks to artists such as PIQSIQ.
Originally from Nunavut, Ayalik and Mackay use their music to connect with their cultural roots and make a strong statement for the revival of indigenous traditions. “Their performance suits perfectly to the theme of Arctic Day, offering an extraordinary experience that brings the audience closer to the Inuit culture”, notes Sarah Manthei, Museum’s Head of Communications. “This is also their second gig at the NONAM, and the first one was simply amazing!”
The Arctic on the move
In addition to the voice, this Arctic Day will also be all about movement. NONAM will open the day with the documentary Games of the North. Viewers will discover the journey of four Inuit athletes across Alaska, where they compete in traditional competitions.
A way of extending NONAM’s ” Move. Indigenous cultures in movement “The “Move” exhibition focuses on movement and sports in Indigenous cultures”, notes Sarah Manthei, “and the Inuit Olympics is an excellent example of how these sports promote both physical fitness and community building.”
NONAM invited Desmond Ukkuq Mackay to give visitors a demonstration of Inuit games. At the age of 15, the young man is already a professional in Inuit Olympic disciplines. Originally from the Kivalliq and Qikiqtaaluk regions of Nunavut, and son of singer Kayley Inuksuk Mackay, Desmond has made High Kick, Leg Wrestling and Muskox Push his specialty. He’ll be giving a demonstration on Sunday.
Traditional Inuit games require endurance, skill and teamwork. Values that are also highlighted in NONAM’s “Move” exhibition. “This link between the exhibition and the activities offers a unique opportunity for visitors to experience the significance of movement in Inuit culture firsthand.”
Visitors will be able to test their strength, flexibility and agility by trying their hand at various arctic sports disciplines, under expert supervision.
An event for children and adults
The event is also family-friendly , with activities for children. A rally will invite young visitors to explore the exhibition, while the Kids’ University will enable them to learn more about snow and ice. A postcard-making workshop will also be available for younger visitors, who can draw inspiration from Inuit art to create beautiful compositions. An opportunity for families to explore the polar region in a creative and interactive way.
To view the full program, visit https://www.stadt-zuerich.ch/nonam/de/veranstaltungen/arktistag.html
Finally, to extend this Arctic Day, NONAM is proposing two other events to be held during the month of February.
Starting with the “From Kayak to the Highest Kick”, this vacation program will invite adults and children to deepen their knowledge of Inuit culture. A guided tour of the exhibition will be organized, and visitors can enjoy interactive exhibits, including the kayak simulator that will let you know if you can paddle as fast as the Greenland shark swims. The program is available here.
The second event organized by NONAM will focus on Inuit art. With a workshop open to everyone, visitors of all ages can explore the diversity of Inuit art and print their own works of art. Creations can be sent to friends as postcards, or simply taken home. Find out more here.
Mirjana Binggeli, Polar Journal AG
More on the subject