Almost a fetish animal for scientists, a star attraction on Arctic cruises and a global climate icon, the polar bear goes far beyond its role as a symbolic species. From Inuit mythology to tales of exploration, from traditional sculpture to contemporary advertising, the polar bear has never ceased t
A new project launching this week in Dundee brings together long-lost stories, photos and personal artefacts from Scottish whaling communities, not to glorify the industry, but to preserve its human history.Everyday objects, family photos, logbooks, and personal mementos come together in the Whalers
Join us this Sunday, June 22 at NONAM. The Zurich-based museum welcomes Indigenous artists, creators, and representatives from the Yukon and Norway for a day of festivities and intercultural dialogue. Join the NONAM this Sunday, June 22. The Zurich-based museum welcomes Indigenous artists, creators,
Inuit throat-singing duo PIQSIQ release their new album. Aptly titled Legends, this new work immerses listeners in the world of traditional Inuit storytelling. The PIQSIQ duo is Kayley Inuksuk Mackay (left) and Tiffany Kuliktana Ayalik (right). Photo: Inuksuk Mackay After completing their first Eur
Siri Veland (geographer), Skade Henriksen (artist), Anna Lindal (artist), and Marie Stougaard Østertorn (student and activist) explain the concept behind the Ilulissat Art and Science Hub. We open the doors to this anchor point, which marks the end of our series in this Greenlandic town. The sun dog
A unique herd of African wildlife is currently moving from the Congo to the Arctic circle in an attempt not only to highlight the global effect of climate change but also to renew the bond between humans and nature. An unprecedented procession has started to traverse the globe currently, not of fles
After Canada and Great Britain, the exhibition of regalia worn by young Indigenous graduates from the Yukon opens this weekend at NONAM. An opportunity to discover, through this symbolic garment, a little-known aspect of the culture of these communities in north-western Canada, between tradition and
As we celebrate International Polar Bear Day today, Polar Journal AG invites you to discover Nanuk Narratives, an online documentary series that sheds light on the link between Inuit and polar bears.Nanuk, nanuq, nanoq. Whatever the dialect, the term always refers to its majesty, the polar bear. Pho
The Museum of Contemporary Circumpolar Art (MCCA) in Bern is kicking off the year in music and style with a new exhibition devoted to Arctic sounds. The opening takes place this Thursday, February 20, with a performance by the Inuit throat-singing duo PIQSIQ.From 20 February to 21 June, the MCCA in
NONAM organizes an Arctic Day this Sunday in Zurich, with a focus on movement and voice. The program includes Inuit sports games and a famous duet of throat singers. The PIQSIQ duo will perform this Sunday at NONAM. Photo: Inuksuk Mackay For this year’s Arctic Day, the North American Native Museum (
A shift in direction in 2008 enabled Anne Berit Anti to tell the story of her people through fashion. With one foot in modernity and one in tradition, she invites everyone to wear original creations inspired by life on the tundra. Some of the patterns used by Anne Berit Anti refer to traditional nec
A Woman in the Polar Night has become a classic of its kind, and is now being reprinted in French. An opportunity to revisit the tale of a polar adventurer like no other. Christiane Ritter overwintered in Spitsbergen between 1934 and 1935. Photo: Bjørn Klauer Summer 1934, Spitsbergen. Christiane Ri
Attributed to Bobby Quppaapik Tarkirk, this delicate work shows birds carved in soapstone and serpentine and perched on a caribou antler. Probably Bobby Quppaapik Tarkirk (1934-2000), Untitled (Birds in a Tree), late 1960s-early 1970s. MMFA, gift of the Museum of Inuit Art, Toronto. Photo: MMFA, Chr
The katajjaq, a throat singing game typical of Canada's Inuit, has enjoyed a revival in recent decades. So much so that it has become a strong marker of Inuit identity. The essence of katajjaq. Two women standing face to face, singing. If the name doesn’t ring a bell, you’ve probably come across thi
With Christmas just around the corner, Polar Journal AG has put together a selection of the best polar books. Enough to fill Santa's sack or to offer yourself a moment of escape. With Christmas just around the corner, the gift-giving race is in full swing. And since a good book is always a great pre
Beyond its beauty and magic, the Arctic is a unique canvas of horror that has been the backdrop to numerous films. Ghosts and spectres are not only seen in the Western world, especially on Halloween. The Arctic indigenous peoples also see the dancing Northern Lights as spectral beings. (Photo: Mich
The Swiss ALPS Museum is opening a new, unique exhibition on Friday featuring the massive changes taking place in Greenland and how the people there are dealing with them. Greenland goes ALPS: the former Alpine Museum of Switzerland, now the ALPS Museum, in Bern, allows visitors to immerse themselve
With 41 days to go to the start, Oliver Heer, Justine Mettraux and Alan Roura finish preparing for the Vendée Globe. They will attempt to sail solo around the world via the Southern Ocean. The adrenalin of the race doesn’t fade after the first few days at sea. Drawing: Gisèle Durand RuizWith 41 days
Several institutions in Switzerland's capital Bern are sending out a strong signal for the Arctic and inviting visitors to various events and exhibitions, some of which will be on display for up to two years. Bern will be a hotspot for Arctic enthusiasts this fall. A series of exhibitions, events an
This year, the Arctic Tour of Norway was centered around Bodø, the European Capital of Culture, but during its 11 years, it has been through all municipalities of Northern Norway. Photo: Aurelien Vialatte, Arctic Race of NorwayThe four-stage-long Arctic Race of Norway finished with an uphill sprint
What would a summer vacation be without a good book? From recent publications to favorites, the editors of Polar Journal AG have put together a selection of books to accompany you on your summer break. Whether you’re on a sandy beach basking in the sun, or in the heart of more icy climes, our select
With its 53 000 inhabitants, isolated location, sheep and typical landscapes, the Faroe Islands offer music lovers several festivals to suit a wide variety of tastes. Festival-goers will be able to discover Faroese folk, which has a strong presence on the local music scene, alongside a plethora of o
NONAM Zurich invites you to the Indigenous Peoples Day. The event will feature Native American Nations guests from North America, such as world hoop dance champion Tony Duncan and his son Naiche, flute player Allan Demaray and guests from the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara nations of North and South Da
With a design that blends into the landscape and a limited carbon footprint, the future 5 500 m2 Nunavut Inuit Heritage Centre will house permanent and temporary exhibitions, workshops and events, as well as a conservation laboratory. The project estimated cost is CAD 140 million (€90 million), and
