«LET THE RIVER LIVE»
The opposition to the construction of the Alta Dam in the 1970s pioneered the struggle against large
dams throughout Europe. The Sami indigenous communities in northern Norway linked their struggle
against the dam to their wider cultural and political rights. After intensive demonstrations,
including two hunger strikes and months of work stoppages, their struggle paid off: the Norwegian
government significantly reduced the planned size of the dam and made changes to preserve the natural
beauty of the river, in addition to introducing constitutional amendments that officially recognized
the cultural, social and political life of the Sami people.
Photography: Tove Heiskel
Text: Andrew Preston
