Moa Backe Åstot

Every year, WWB is proud to publish a number of international writers whose work has never before been translated into English. As we approach the end of 2022, we’re looking back at some of the most exciting stories, poems, and essays by debut writers that appeared in WWB’s pages this year.

Voices from Sápmi: Sámi Writing October 2022 Outi Pieski, "47 eanemus ohccojuvvon máttaráhkut - The 47 Most Wanted Foremothers," 2019, Courtesy: Minds Rising, Spirits Tuning, The 13th Gwangju Biennale, Photo: Sang Tae Kim

The Kisa The kisa is round with a domed lid; he keeps it up high in a kitchen cabinet. He inherited it from his mother. She in turn inherited it from her mother, whose mother gave it to her. Somewhere down the line of generations they stored coffee cups in it while migrating with the reindeer. His mother had called it a “goahppagiisa,” a kisa, that is, a large box, in which to keep cups. But he leaves it empty, it sits there in the cabinet with no specific function, he likes looking at it.