Katarina Barruk

Biography

Born on 5 December 1994 in Storuman,

In January 2019, she sang in Ume Sámi at UNESCO's launch of the International Year of Indigenous Languages.

In August 2025, Barruk performed at the Royal Albert Hall as part of the BBC Proms concert series, accompanied by the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra led by Pekka Kuusisto. She said of the event that "The Prom is a symbol of hope and defiance for Ume Sámi and its speakers".

Reception

Ådne Evjen reviewed Ruhttuo on the Norwegian music site Disharmoni, awarding a rating of 5/6. In his view, the album shows the strength and clarity of Barruk's artistic expression. He finds the production beautiful, and the album successful in meeting Barruk's goal of having the audience dream in her musical landscape. Her voice, he writes, is strong and controlled, both in song and in yoik. He admires the acoustic guitar on "Vásstiedeh! (Speak Up!)", and calls "Niäguoh (Dreams)" beautifully dark and solid.

Carl Ahlström reviewed Báruos for the Swedish newspaper Västerbottens-Kuriren, calling it a strong debut album with "much soul and strength". He described its style as a blend of "low-key jazz, singer-songwriter pop and Finnish tango tones", with lyrics in Ume Sámi. He praised Barruk's "fantastic" vocals in songs such as Áhkán and Juohkádit, but felt that the low key of the album might fail to engage listeners.

Awards

Barruk was honoured with the Young Artist of the Year award at the 2012 Riddu Riđđu Sámi festival. In 2013, she won the Youth Prize at Umeå's Sámi Week. Live In Bergen (2021), with Avant Joik

Other contributions

"Nagirvárrái" (2021), with Ájmuoh / ilmmit (Worlds Within Us) "Dárrbuo" (2025), with Bicep (TAKKUUK)