The Sami people, more known as the Lap
(Lapp), inhabit the extreme north of the
Scandinavian Peninsula and, besides being the only
native population in Europe (in Lapland there are
traces of Sami going back to the ice Age,
approximately 9600 years ago is one of the
scarcest.
Today, the total number of Sami is estimated
to be about 75,000 of which 20,000 live in Sweden.
To be Lapp meant to be a person that was a
breeder of reindeer, a fisherman and a hunter. The
pastures are considered today the more important
resource on which the traditional culture stands.
For centuries the majority population has had a
patronizing attitude towards the Sami, which has
affected cultural policy and politics. The current
and official policy was adopted in 1963 and is
expressed in the Parliamentary Records as follows:
The policy of the national state must be to give the
Sami-speaking population the opportunity to
preserve its language and other cultural customs on
terms that accord with the expressed wishes of the
Sami themselves."
Although the Sami population is not
constituted in an independent state, it possesses a
representative body, the Sami Parliament; a capital,
Karasjok, and their own flag. Limited to only 63
pieces worldwide, the Celebration version offers
details in 18 kt solid gold and offers the traditional
filling system, the lateral lever. The special limited
edition Sami collection includes... a limited release
of 963 fountain pens (1KS) in Vermeil (925%
sterling silver gold plated) with lateral filling
system. The Limited Edition comprises both 1963
fountain pens (1K) and roller balls (R/2) in 925%
sterling silver. The rollerball version is easily convertible into a ball pen.