Hivshu

Elder of the Ancestors
Arctic Storytelling

I am a guardian of the Inughuit people's heritage and traditions, which it is my task to pass on to the next generation.

I grew up living the traditional Inughuit way of life in the world's northernmost settlement, Siorapaluk, 60 km north of the village of Qaanaaq in Greenland – 1,300 km from the North Pole.
Around 800 Inughuit live here, including hunters and keepers of traditional drum songs and stories.

Oral storytelling has always been – and still is – an important part of our traditions. Through it, we preserve and pass on knowledge about the life of nature and the interconnectedness of all living things to future generations.

An important part of this heritage is to remind descendants of their ancestors and to remember how they fought for the life we have inherited. The stories show us how to survive the harsh Arctic winter, where darkness lasts for four months without sun.

With this incredible tradition, which I am so fortunate to have inherited, I invite you into the universe of my people – a universe where the connection to nature and life is crucial.

This journey can remind you of your own ancient memory and origins, and help you to better understand nature in your own life.

This wisdom is my heritage from my ancestors, and it is my task to pass it on.

Introduction to the workshop

I am here to challenge the human notion that humanity is superior and the standard for all creation – a notion where we claim and cultivate power.

The story should not end with humanity having adapted all creation to its own scale and made itself the centre of everything – as the only intelligent being.

This way of thinking contrasts with Inuit and other indigenous peoples who live in and with nature. They have a natural relationship with nature – a relationship where nature could actually thrive better without the beings who believe they are superior and powerful.

Love is life, and life is love. It requires no power – it is simply present within us, without needing to be distorted or limited by human definitions.

Life and love cannot be reduced to humanity's attempts to rationalise everything, to the small human mind and its speculations.

Workshop 1:
Prayer to the Fire

Across indigenous cultures around the world, fire has been a sacred gathering place for millennia, where people come together to sing, dance, and offer their prayers.

This evening brings together traditions from Mozambique, Greenland, and Central America in a shared circle around the bonfire. The drums and the footsteps of our African dancers will bring the pulse of Africa to Langeland.

You are invited to bring your most vulnerable gift: the poem that has never been read aloud, the song that has never been sung, or the prayer that has quietly lived in your heart.
This is a space where your hidden voice can come to life—carried by the fire and the community.

Whether you choose to share or simply be a witness, you are warmly welcome to an evening of presence, courage, and connection.

Workshop 2:
The Elders Roundtable

Welcome to one of the festival’s most unique gatherings, where all of our Elders come together for a shared conversation.

Hivshu, LeAnn, Linda, Celso, Kay, and Govind will join Li in a panel discussion on what it means to be a mature person in our time.

Together, they will explore questions such as:

• How can we bear witness to the world’s challenges and accept them without succumbing to fear or shame?

• What role does the body play in human development and transformation?

• How do rhythm, sound, dance, and movement support our personal growth?

• How do we honor both community and the sense of unity while remaining true to our authentic selves?

The discussion will conclude with an opportunity for participants to ask their own questions and engage in direct dialogue with The Elders.