Arctic premiere of Trade Secret in LongyearbyenLast Friday, on International Polar Bear Day, Trade Secret had its Arctic premiere in Longyearbyen, Svalbard. Two screenings drew over 400 viewers, almost 20 % of the town’s adult population, underscoring how closely the community is connected to the fa
Svalbard Global Seed Vault in FebruaryThe Svalbard Global Seed Vault carried out its first deposit of the year on 25 February 2025.For the first time, seed samples from two new countries, Guatemala and Niger, were deposited. In addition, the Vault received its first-ever deposit of olive seeds. In t
Klippfisk, also known as bacalhau, is a traditional dish from Norway made from dried and salted cod. This dish stands out for its intense flavors and the perfect balance between salty and savory. The combination of tender fish, potatoes, and aromatic herbs makes it a true delight for the senses.Prep
The search for the fifth recipient of the Shackleton Medal for the Protection of the Polar Regions has begun. The award is presented each year on the birthday of polar explorer Ernest Shackleton and aims to highlight the global importance of these sensitive regions. As the Arctic increasingly moves
Ice Alaska 2025 (Photo: Alan Silva)The winter silence in George Horner Ice Park in Fairbanks has come to an end. For several days now, there has been bustling activity. Vehicles transport blocks of ice, and warmly dressed women and men cut and shape the ice blocks late into the night. The residents
Albatross over the Drake Passage en route to Antarctica: Photo by Lisa ScherkOn January 17, 2026, the BBNJ Agreement of the United Nations (Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction) entered into force. For the first time,
Colorfull houses in Longyearbyen – Image: Lisa ScherkIn the northern polar regions, the sun disappears below the horizon for weeks or even months during winter – a phenomenon known as the polar night. Everywhere north of the Arctic Circle, this prolonged darkness influences daily life, mood, and soc
Donald Trump – Playing with fire! What comes after Venezuela? (Photo: Unsplash)For now, the situation still appears calm. It is still considered unlikely that the United States will gain control over Greenland in the near future. A determined and so far unified stance by the Danish and Greenlandic g
On 28 February 2023, Johann Klages threw the message in a bottle for his children overboard in the Drake Passage. (Photo: AWI, Thomas Ronge)What began as a spontaneous idea on the high seas developed into an extraordinary journey: After more than two and a half years, a message in a bottle from an A
Kirsten Shaw with letterbox and letter (Photo: Matt Hughes)In the middle of the eternal ice, a special gift caused a stir shortly before Christmas: the staff of the British Rothera Research Station in Antarctica received an original Royal Mail letterbox, of the classic pillar-box design and bearing
Take off into the New YearDear Readers, dear Polar Community,As the year draws to a close, we look back with gratitude – and ahead with anticipation. The past year has once again highlighted how dynamic, complex, and vital the polar regions are for our planet. With every article, every piece of rese
We look back on an extraordinary year - one filled with fascinating insights, moving stories, and new perspectives from the most remote regions of our planet. Dear Polar Community,As the world around us is wrapped in sparkling lights and quiet moments, we at Polar Journal also look back on an extrao
Polar bear family, Churchill, Hudson Bay – © Bob SmithChurchill, CanadaIn the midst of the barren vastness of the tundra, scientists have witnessed a moment that made even seasoned polar bear researchers pause. Near the small town of Churchill in northeastern Manitoba, a mother polar bear was spotte
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin ordered by decree on 15 December the construction of a non-permanent ice base at the North Pole. The planned Artur Chilingarov Ice Base is to be established on Arctic drifting sea ice near the North Pole and is intended to serve both scientific purposes and short-te
Somewhere between myths and hard facts you find Nome, poised also between yesterday and tomorrow. Drawing on his background in anthropology and an equal passion for history, Michael Engelhard, through the lens of one pivotal city, surveys the seam that links two neighboring continents.The region’s l
Locomotive at Ny-Ålesund (79° N), before restoration.Photo: Marcel SchützOn the wide western coast of the Norwegian archipelago Svalbardlies the settlement of Ny-Ålesund. Today, it is an international research hub and one of the northernmost permanently inhabited places on Earth. Yet among modern me
Butter tarts are a classic Canadian dessert known for their rich, buttery filling. These small pastries offer the perfect balance between sweet and savory, with a crisp crust and a sticky, caramelized filling. They are ideal for any occasion, whether it’s a festive dinner or a cozy afternoon tea.Pre
Travelling through the far north of Greenland – Markus Bühler journeys with Inuit and their Greenland dogs across the Arctic.Opening on 14 December 2025 at 11 a.m. – at the North America Native Museum in Zurich, Switzerland.Swiss photographer Markus Bühler presents the exhibition “At the Edge of the
Norway has decided to halt deep-sea mining plans in Arctic waters until at least 2029. The move, announced on 1 December 2025, is part of a political compromise tied to the 2026 state budget. No new licenses will be issued during the current legislative term, and public funding for seabed mineral ma
On the southwestern edge of Greenland lies the ghost town of Ivittuut. Once a lively settlement due to its global importance in the production of metallic aluminum. From Arctic hamlet to globally significant settlementOn the southwestern edge of Greenland, on the quiet Arsuk Fjord, lies Ivittuut – t
Tørret Fisk is a traditional dish that captures the essence of Nordic cuisine. The fish is carefully dried to concentrate its flavors and create a unique texture. Served with a selection of fresh herbs and spices, this dish offers a harmonious blend of salty, spicy, and fresh notes — a true delight
Greenland is a politically self-governing part of the Kingdom of Denmark. The island is very sparsely populated, with approximately 56,200 inhabitants, or 0.026 inhabitants per square kilometre. (Photo: Heiner Kubny)Forty years after leaving the EEA, Greenland is seeking closer ties with the EU agai
Svalbard – On October 21, 2025, the Global Seed Vault on Svalbard was opened once again. More than 21,000 new samples from 20 international gene banks made their way into the frozen mountain above the airport of Longyearbyen. The Global Seed Vault on Svalbard. It is opened about three times a year t
Polar Journal is back! With fresh energy and a new team, we’re bringing you fascinating stories, behind-the-scenes insights, and all the latest from the world’s polar regions. The PolarJournal team is ready for a new adventure. (from left to right: Marcel Schütz, Rosamaria Kubny, Heiner Kubny)With a
