Nordic Children Sleep Outside in Sub-Zero Temperatures Bodø, Northern Norway (High North News): Sleeping outside in the wintry cold may seem exotic, seen from the outside. In Nordic kindergartens, it is a generations-long practice.
Wants to Strengthen Indigenous Health Across the Arctic Indigenous organisations in the Arctic are joining forces to establish a new health forum to strengthen cooperation on health challenges in the North. "Indigenous Peoples are always vulnerable to geopolitical challenges," says Gunn Britt Retter of the Saami Council.
Arctic Football Team Bodø/Glimt With Historic Champions League Win Against Manchester City Bodø, Northern Norway (High North News): On Tuesday, Bodø/Glimt became the first Arctic team to win a Champions League match. Glimt stunned the guests from Manchester with a 3-1 win.
“More Important Than Ever to Be Present,” Says Prominent Reporter in the North Bodø, Northern Norway (High North News): Norway's commercial public service broadcaster, TV2, is cutting photographers at its regional offices, leaving only two reporters to cover half of Norway. The cuts are part of a trend in which Norwegian national media outlets are reducing their physical presence in the districts, according to professor at Nord University.
Nordic Council Prizes to Faroese Literature and Film This year's Nordic Council literature prize has been awarded to the Faroese writer Vónbjørt Vang for the poetry collectionSvørt orkidé. The council's film prize was also awarded to a Faroese production for the very first time:Seinasta paradís á jørð.
Come Inside a Home Guard Defense Exercise in the Norwegian Arctic Porsanger (High North News): Join Norway's northernmost home guard district - HV17 - on an exercise at Garrison Porsangmoen, in the Norwegian Arctic.
Population Decline for Northern Swedish Municipality The population of Skellefteå decreased during the first half of 2025. The decline comes in the wake of the bankruptcy of the battery manufacturer Northvolt.
Bodø/Glimt is First Arctic Football Team to Qualify for Champions League The Northern Norwegian football team of Bodø/Glimt made history this week by qualifying for the UEFA Champions League. In the coming months, the Aspmyra stadium will host some of Europe's biggest football clubs.
Photo Series: Join Us in Old Kiruna Kiruna, Northern Sweden (High North News): The city of Kiruna in Northern Sweden is being relocated to make room for mining under the city, leading the ground to sink and form cracks, which again poses a risk to the building and the inhabitants. Join High North News on a tour of the old and now-abandoned mining city.
Spectacular Views: Kiruna Church Moves to a New City Kiruna, Northern Sweden (High North News): Mining towns are a breed of their own. When the mines were empty, people moved on. In Kiruna, however, the municipality and LKAB see it differently. The city itself has relocated to make room for the iron ore mine. Yesterday, an over 100-year-old church was on the move.
Convened Participants from 27 Countries in Alaska: "We Feel the Intensity of the Changes" "Building and strengthening global partnerships is more important than ever. And we know that doing that in-person meetings, whether here in Alaska, in Norway, or elsewhere, is imperative," says Rachel Kallander, CEO of Arctic Encounter Summit.
The Arctic Encyclopedia Aims to Showcase the Breadth of the Arctic This week, the Arctic Economic Council launched itsArctic Encyclopedia,aiming to showcase the cultural, economic, and emotional breadth of the Arctic. The book features contributions from more than 200 individuals across 36 countries and "reframes how the Arctic is perceived."
Photographer Dan Mariner’s Access to the Decommisioned Air Station Leads to Exhibit The British photographer got access to the decommissioned air station in Bodø, Northern Norway. The photos he took there are now exhibited under the title 'First Strike City' and pose the question: What is the cost of safety, and who is footing the bill?
High Noon 2025: Northern Debate on Svalbard, Tax Cuts, Norway Seen From Russia, and Dictatorship Next week, the debate series High Noon will take place during the True Northern Arts Festival in Northern Norway. This year's edition addresses questions under the headline 'Everything is about security' – and offers strong voices from arts and culture, politics and business, research and journalism, as well as defense.
Addressing the Northern Geography in Major Exhibition The art gallery Havremagasinet in Northern Sweden has filled a whopping 3600 square meters with art created by various artists from the High North. The works offer diverse views of the northern land of the future.
The Arctic Philharmonic Takes Its Music to Europe The world's northernmost orchestra, the Arctic Philharmonic, is bringing its northern sounds to some of Europe's most prestigious venues this summer. "Going on tour gives us the opportunity to share a piece of the Arctic with a whole new audience," says Director Trud Berg.
Opening of the Northern Norwegian Art Museum in Bodø: Challenges the Neutrality of Museums Bodø (High North News): Today, the Northern Norwegian Art Museum opens its branch in Bodø. "Museums play an important role in a High North perspective with art as preparedness," says project leader and acting director Hanne Jakhelln.
“Before You Can Act, You Must Feel” Tromsø, Northern Norway (High North News): In an Arctic landscape increasingly characterized by geopolitics, security, and climate, literature can be the key to expanding the room for action and engaging more people, believes literature researcher Henning Howlid Wærp at UiT The Arctic University of Norway. "Before you can act, you must feel," the researcher tells HNN.
The Flow of Russian Gas On Top for 2024 Dear reader. You have spoken, and the message is clear: Our Russian gas and shipping coverage is of most interest, interspersed with security policy and a Swedish disaster film. Here is the top 10 list for 2024.
To Show Silent Film from 1920s Sápmi With New Tunes Sámi musicians will put the nearly 100-year-old silent filmBy Sledge and Reindeer in Inka Länta's Winterlandfrom Northern Sweden into a new context. The silent film concert will be performed during January's Tromsø International Film Festival.
SpaceX Announces First Human Spaceflight over Polar Regions Fram2 will be the first spaceflight in which humans will fly over and explore the polar regions, says SpaceX. The crew, which includes Norwegian Jannicke Mikkelsen from Svalbard, will study unusual light emissions resembling auroras.
Amund Sjølie Sveen: Uses Art As Testing Ground for Major Political Ideas and Critique of Power Harstad (High North News): For ten years, Amund Sjølie Sveen has traveled the Arctic with Nordting – a people's movement and an artistic-political project. With political analyses, critical takes on power, and referendums – with supplementary sing-alongs, dancing, and vodka – Nordting offers a democratic arena to explore a different world.
Icelandic Author Couple: Literature Allows Us To Explore Everything, Including the End of the World Harstad (High North News): "We Icelanders never prepare for anything," says the author couple Sigríður Hagalín Björnsdóttir and Jón Kalman Stefánsson. They admire the Norwegian practical preparedness thinking but also remind us of the resistance power of traveling literature and maintain that a preparedness storage must also include a book and a ukulele.
Rebekka Brox Liabø: Helps Northern Youths to Find Their Voice Through Writing Harstad (High North News): Creating a safe framework for youth to explore writing about their own experiences and opinions and sharing their own words with several listeners. That is how pedagogue and playwright Rebekka Brox Liabø works with developing language skills and belonging among the young in Northern Norway.
Tromsø Sàmi House Opened: "A Sàmi Haven Where We Can Face Challenges Together" The Sámi House in Tromsø, Northern Norway, has been inaugurated. To heal the damage of Norwegianization, it is crucial to have meeting places for Sámi people to develop their language, culture, and identity, says Silje Karine Muotka, President of the Sámi Parliament.
High Noon 2024: Northern Debate on Youth, Preparedness, Democracy and Moral in the Arts Everything is set for the debate series High Noon during the Arctic Arts Festival in Northern Norway. This year's edition offers tunes from several young and up-and-coming artists – and various voices from Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland. Among the primary guests is the critically acclaimed Icelandic writer Jón Kalman Stefánsson.
Narvik in Northern Norway Awarded the 2029 Alpine World Ski Championships Narvik in Northern Norway was recently appointed host of the Alpine World Ski Championships in 2029. "We are now looking forward to the next stage together with the FIS, the municipalities, the business sector, and many others,” says Chairman Knut-Eirik Dybdal.
Pan-Arctic Vision 2024 in Greenland: Seeking Arctic Artists To This Fall's Big Stage in Nuuk This year's Pan-ArcticVision will take place in Greenland in October – and calls for contributions from Arctic artists with northern tones and words to express. This is an adventurous opportunity to form border-crossing bonds, share music, and strike a blow for the power of definition in the circumpolar north, the organizers tempt.
Life on the Arctic Coast: In This Archipelago, Community Is the Most Important Preparedness Resource Helligvær (High North News): On the island of Helligvær in Northern Norway, one of the most valuable resources is community. The islanders trust each other, which is reflected in their preparedness plans.
First Sami Film Premieres on Netflix: "I Am Nervous" For the first time, the streaming service Netflix is showing an original production from Sápmi.Stolenis based on Ann-Helén Laestadius' critically acclaimed book of the same name and premiered on Friday.
Norwegian-Russian Irina Collaborates with Arctic Philharmonic to Create Sami and Kven Children's Music Bodø (High North News): The Arctic Philharmonic is investing in Sami and Kven music. Norwegian-Russian Irina Girunyan is part of the initiative and will compose a piece for children. "It feels very right."
Will Convey Performing Arts in the North With Gigantic Lavvu The Davvi – Center for Performing Arts in Northern Norway sets out to build the world's largest lavvo after receiving funding of NOK 6 million. It will serve as a nomadic cultural arena across the region. That way, dance, theater, and other performance arts can be experienced in small places that lack a stage of their own.
Searching For A High North Hero Every year, the High North Center for Business and Governance presents the High North Award to honor someone who leaves a positive mark on the North. "The award has helped increase attention to the High North," says Executive Director of Arctic Frontiers and jury leader Anu Fredrikson.
"The Barents Region Has a PR Problem" Bodø (High North News): The number of young people in the Arctic has plummeted over the past years. Martin Gamst Johnsen, Chair of the Barents Regional Youth Council, wants to address this.
Searching For a High North Hero 2024 Every year, the High North Center for Business and Governance awards the High North Hero Award to someone who has a positive impact in the north.
The World’s Two Northernmost Professional Orchestras Join Forces They are the two northernmost professional orchestras. This week, the Lapland Chamber Orchestra from Finland cooperates with the Arctic Philharmonic Orchestra in Norway for the first time. 2024 may be the start of a lasting musical collaboration in the North.
Rich Selection of Powerful Films From Across the Arctic Region This week, the Tromsø International Film Festival offers new films from all eight Arctic countries. From miracles, wonder, and love – to art in geopolitical turbulence, past traumas, and gaining a foothold in the new world. These are some of the keywords for this year's range.
Icelandic Optimism Award to Jazzy and Hopeful Artist Laufey On Wednesday, the annual Icelandic Optimism Award was granted to Laufey Lín Jónsdóttir, who creates a dreamy soundscape of jazz, pop, and classical music. The award is meant to encourage artistic work, which in turn inspires the surrounding community, says Iceland's president.
European Capital of Culture: Arctic Threads Through Bodø2024 In February, the European Capital of Culture year opens in Bodø and Nordland with grand festivities. Throughout the year, the program for Bodø2024 offers experiences that reflect nature, culture, and society in the Arctic region and Sápmi.
European Capital of Culture: Arctic Threads Through Bodø2024 In February, the European Capital of Culture year opens in Bodø and Nordland with grand festivities. Throughout the year, the program for Bodø2024 offers experiences that reflect nature, culture, and society in the Arctic region and Sápmi.
Tromsø Will Be the First Arctic European Youth Capital Tromsø in Northern Norway has been awarded the title of European Youth Capital 2026 with the concept "True North". "We will show that young people from the Arctic are of key strategic importance for Europe," says Luna Drecker, leader of the Tromsø Youth Council.
Life on the Arctic Coast: “Challenging to Get Hold of Labor in the Fisheries Industry” There is practically a queue to work on the fishing boats in the fisheries group Nergård. In the land industry, the situation is the opposite, and the company is struggling to find people with the right expertise. CEO Torvanger believes the government should implement necessary measures to make living along the coast of Northern Norway attractive.
Yoiking for Peace and Children’s Future Artists and cultural institutions in the High North are organizing "Yoik for Peace" this fall – a series of benefit concerts. All proceeds go to Save the Children. "We must do what we can to help children affected by war," says initiator Herman "Manne" Rundberg.
Nordic Literature Prize to Explosive Icelandic Picture Book On Tuesday, the Nordic Council's Children and Young People's Literature Prize was awarded to the Icelandic author and illustrator Rán Flygenring for the picture book Eldgos. "The story bursts with power, both capturing and propelling our fascination with extreme natural phenomena," writes the jury.
Arctic Winds During Iceland Airwaves These days, Arctic music is celebrated during the Iceland Airwaves festival in Reykjavik. The concert series Arctic Waves, developed in collaboration with festivals from Sàpmi, Greenland, and Canada, invites a captivating Northern world of sound.
“Cooperation With the Sámi on the Russian Side Is Severely Affected by Russia’s War” The Barents cooperation with the Sámi and other indigenous peoples in Russia has lain fallow since March 2022 – and has now formally ended with Moscow's withdrawal from the Barents Council. “The lack of interaction with the Sámi on the Russian side worries us, says Eirik Larsen, a representative in the Sámi Parliament in Norway.
Arctic Music and Criticism, Politics and Sequins, Glitter and Reindeer Antlers! On Saturday, Pan-ArcticVision premieres in Vadsø, Northern Norway. A grand, crazy, and beautiful project, says Artistic Director Amund Sjølie Sveen – and welcomes us to the border-crossing building of the Arctic community.
Arctic Music and Criticism, Politics and Sequins, Glitter and Reindeer Antlers! On Saturday, Pan-ArcticVision premieres in Vadsø, Northern Norway. A grand, crazy, and beautiful project, says Artistic Director Amund Sjølie Sveen – and welcomes us to the border-crossing building of the Arctic community.
Arctic Music and Criticism, Politics and Sequins, Glitter and Reindeer Antlers! On Saturday, Pan-ArcticVision premieres in Vadsø, Northern Norway. A grand, crazy, and beautiful project, says Artistic Director Amund Sjølie Sveen – and welcomes us to the border-crossing building of the Arctic community.
