A traditional dish from Greenland that captures the flavors of the North. Tender reindeer meat is combined with fresh berries and herbs to create a unique explosion of flavors. The hearty wildness of the meat is balanced by the sweet freshness of the berries, while the herbs add an earthy note. This
In the Arctic, humans and sled dogs form a cooperative system that combines mobility, sensory awareness, and shared learning to adapt to extreme conditions. Sled dog in Svalbard (Photo: Léa Zinsli)For millennia, survival in the Arctic has depended on close cooperation between humans and dogs. Rather
In 1963, Ingrid Pedersen crossed the North Pole in a small aircraft, becoming the first woman to do so on a flight from Alaska to Norway. Ingrid Pedersen visiting Ny-Ålesund in 1970 (Photo: Tor Killie, Norsk Polarinstitutt)In July 1963, Ingrid Pedersen became the first woman to fly over the North Po
Researchers gained rare insights into narwhals by joining an Inuit hunt, revealing new details about their behavior and biology. Narwhals in Arctic waters. (Photo: Kristin Laidre, NOAA)Narwhals are among the Arctic’s most distinctive and mysterious whales. Best known for their long spiral tusk, an e
This was their final look toward the bright horizon as they bid farewell to their faithful companion in the sky with the words: “Until we meet again, Sun.” (Photo: Tomohiro Yahagi, JARE67)A special moment marked the beginning of a long and challenging period at Japan’s Showa Station in Antarctica in
An unusual career path: Samuel Silva went from chef to English teacher, returned to the kitchen, and eventually found his way to Antarctica. (Photo: INACH)Icy winds, endless expanses of snow, and temperatures far below freezing, Antarctica is one of the most inhospitable places on Earth. Yet in the
Krill fishing in the Southern Ocean is tightly managed, but new research shows that bycatch and local fishing pressure remain important concerns. Krill fishery and dependent wildlife in the Southern Ocean (Illustration: Léa Zinsli)Antarctic krill supports not only a unique marine ecosystem but also
Matambre a la Pizza is a delicious Argentine dish that combines the best elements of grilled meat and pizza. The tender, juicy beef is topped with a flavorful tomato sauce, melted cheese, and fresh herbs. Every bite delivers an explosion of flavors, achieved through the perfect balance of savory mea
Microbial processes in warming polar regions may influence greenhouse gas emissions and climate beyond the Arctic and Antarctic. Glacier front in the Arctic (Photo: Léa Zinsli)As research continues to reveal how microbes live and function in the cryosphere, rising temperatures in the Arctic and Anta
The recent closure of Mine 7 marks the end of Norwegian coal mining in Longyearbyen and reflects a broader shift toward new economic activities on Svalbard. View from Mine 7 overlooking Adventdalen, Svalbard (Photo: Léa Zinsli)The closure of Mine 7 on Svalbard marks the end of coal mining in Longyea
Early thawing in Svalbard is creating unexpected logistical challenges for the return of ten-year-old Mina Floriana Read from the northern part of the archipelago. Mina and Alexander Read on ski expedition (Photo: Alexander Read)The expedition of ten-year-old Mina Floriana Read across Svalbard has s
The Stories we keep – The Knowledge we shareThe ‘Arctic Voices’ event series is a multidisciplinary cultural festival taking place in Bern (Switzerland) from 23 April to 14 May 2026, bringing Indigenous voices, perspectives and stories from Arctic regions to Bern and showcasing them through a variet
From 2027, guides outside Svalbard’s settlements must hold official approval under a new certification system. Information event held in Svalbard Svalbard is set to introduce a new, formal guide certification system in the Arctic, marking a shift in how tourism and field safety are regulated in remo
A ten-year-old skier is attempting to cross Svalbard, prioritizing shared experience and time in the Arctic over speed or records. Mina Floriana Read during the expedition across Svalbard (Photo: Alexander Read)A ten-year-old skier is currently attempting to cross Spitsbergen from south to north, co
The Svalbard Treaty grants Norway sovereignty while ensuring equal access and peaceful use of the Arctic archipelago for all signatory nations. Signing of the Svalbard Treaty on 9 February 1920 by Fritz Wedel Jarlsberg, head of the Norwegian negotiating team(Photo: Photographer unknown/Governor of S
Sveagruva, a historic mining settlement, is now a research base giving UNIS scientists unprecedented access to study eastern Svalbard’s glaciers, geology, and ecosystems. Newly reopened building serving as a research base in Svea and its surroundings (Photo: Noemi Segura Sole)On March 4, Sveagruva,
Trappers Trail 2026 brought sled dogs and mushers together for a weekend of racing, community spirit, and Arctic adventure on Svalbard. Trappers Trail in SvalbardOn the weekend of 21-22 March 2026, the northernmost sled dog race in the world, Trappers Trail, took place on Svalbard. Covering 70 km, t
In Dawson City, Yukon, adventurous drinkers can join the Sourtoe Cocktail Club by downing a shot containing a real dehydrated human toe. Illustration ofthe Sourtoe Cocktail (Sketch Léa Zinsli)Have you ever heard of the world’s most disgusting drink? In Dawson City, Yukon, the Sourtoe Cocktail consis
On March 8th, the community in Longyearbyen gathered at the Svalbard Museum to celebrate International Women’s Day, with speeches, a discussion panel, and music from a local choir. Katrine Boel Gregussen giving her speech for the International Women’s Day On March 8th, Longyearbyen not only celebrat
On March 8th, the people of Longyearbyen came together to celebrate the annual return of the sun, a cherished moment after the long polar night. People gathering in front of the church to welcome the sun to LongyearbyenOn Sunday, March 8th, the people of Longyearbyen gathered to celebrate the annual
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
