Explore North Greenland

Qualification dogsled race last Saturday. In most places in north Greenland, where there are Greenlandic dogs (from Sisimiut to Qaanaaq), There was a qualification race last Saturday, It’s a big event as well as the main dogsled race, which will take place in Sisimiut 29th of March at noon, There are many rules to follow, and you never know how it’s going to turn out, This year, it was the first 3 arrivals, that became qualified, There will be separate race for the children as well. Photos by Visit Greenland-Aningaaq R. Carlsen & Avannaata kommunea-Asbjørn D. Bargsteen Movie clip by Explore North Greenland, Anja K. Sandgreen #explorenorthgl #greenland #arctictravel #greenlandpioneer #nunarputnuan

Mural art. Mural art work can be seen in Ilulissat, which was done by artist and teacher Ane Kathrine Lundblad, Other than these murals, she is a painter, sculpture artist and a former handball player and coach for Nagdlúnguak’ (sport association). Born in Qullissat in 1954, ever since she was a child, she has created art work. She finds her inspiration in nature. She’s still with her husband Ingolf Skov, who also has collaborated with her in her work. So what are these murals? As a true artist, her reply is: It’s what you think what they are, it’s up to you for interpretation. Her favorite color is turquoise blue, It was her little sister who ordered some drawings from her first, Ingolf Skov (her husband) knows her very well, he can tell when she’s in the zone of making her art, she has an eye for interesting colors. Photos by Visit Greenland-Aningaaq R. Carlsen & Avannaata kommunea-Asbjørn D. Bargsteen & Anja K. Sandgreen Movie clip by Explore North Greenland, Anja K. Sandgreen

Inuit among inuit (see also post). Last week has been about Avannaa Arctic Games, and that means meeting new friends and family, because since Inuit have wandered through land and it feels like it’s cousins and family from the Arctic, Inuit laugh the same way and are connected through history and spirit and humor. Avannaa Arctic Games also arranged several evenings with cultural events, and it has been very successful, We have interviewed one participant, who have listened to Inuit tattoo’s which has been revived as a cultural heritage. Photos by Visit Greenland-Matthew Littlewood & Avannaata kommunea-Asbjørn D. Bargsteen. Movie clip by Explore North Greenland, Anja K. Sandgreen #explorenorthgl #greenland #arctictravel #greenlandpioneer #nunarputnuan

Inuit pinnguaataat-inuit games. (See also post). This February, Avannaa Arctic Games is on the programme with participants from many regions in Greenland and from the Arctic regions (Alaska, Nunavik, Nunavut) as well with Inuit and Dene games. How did inuit games start? What was the purpose? Inuit games are very similar across the arctic countries, because we are family related throughout many generations in the cold and harsh climate and countries, We have interviewed official judge and the head of the board Arctic Sports Greenland Kim Rosing about this, More about this here: www.avannaataarcticgames.gl or knr.gl Photos by Visit Greenland-Mads Pihl. Movie clip by Explore North Greenland, Anja K. Sandgreen #explorenorthgl #greenland #arctictravel #greenlandpioneer #nunarputnuan

Ice fishing during winter (See also post). During winter, the temperature gets low to about minus 10-15 degrees Celsius, (14 to 4 Fahrenheit), so it’s important to dress well, especially to wear warm sealskin mittens, if you are going on a fishing trip to the ice by dogsled or snowmobile. The weather has become more windy in general and the snowfall varies from year to year, but the sea ice only gets to the minor fjords and there are no more permanent sea ice to a lot of places in North Greenland, probably due to climate change. You have the amazing opportunity to go fishing with the locals for halibut, which is very tasty. The country and the warm fellowship is amazing and can be felt with your soul. Although it will be freezing, if you have sealskin clothes on, which is sustainable and well adapted to this environment, it will be an experience of a lifetime. Photos by Visit Greenland-Aningaaq R. Carlsen, Erez Marom, Jason C. Hill Avannaata kommunea - Asbjørn D. Bargsteen Movie clip by Explore North Greenland, Anja K. Sandgreen #explorenorthgl #greenland #arctictravel #greenlandpioneer #nunarputnuan

Cultural experiences during winter. (See also post). During winter time, time seems to go more slowly. It’s the perfect time to experience the tranquility of the nature, northern lights, and perhaps go out dogsledding. You can also go icefishing with locals, go to celebrations or cultural events like culture night or visit the local museums. There’s always room for kaffemik celebrations/gatherings and a visit to the women’s association, mostly called Arnat Peqatigiit. And there’s also a chance to meet and greet the dogs with the owner, and the owner can also give an insight about dogs, Photos by Visit Greenland-Aningaaq R. Carlsen, Peter Yan, Stephane Gautronneau. Movie clip by Explore North Greenland, Anja K. Sandgreen #explorenorthgl #greenland #arctictravel #greenlandpioneer #nunarputnuan

Aalisartoq/The fisherman. (See also post) How’s their everyday life like? In the northern part of Greenland, it’s normal to see young boys during winter going about with a whip. They do it to practice how to use the whip on dogsled tours, the whip itself rarely touches the dogs. In the old days, you were not considered to be a real man, if you cannot maintain and control dogs in a dogsled hunting trip. Because it’s a way of life and income and a mean of transport to hunt for food like seals, fish, and other mammals. How you support your family is a way of life, that you learn from family and network. What you see during your upbringing, has an impact on your choice in the line of work. Photos by Visit Greenland-Aningaaq R. Carlsen. Movie clip by Explore North Greenland, Anja K. Sandgreen #explorenorthgl #greenland #arctictravel #greenlandpioneer #nunarputnuan

Mitaartut. In Greenland, on January 6th each year, there’s a thing called mitaartut (plural). It means dressed up, it’s like a tradition, brought by the Christianity, and also mixed with inuit tradition of mask dance. It’s very popular, and you go from house to house (the ones you know) and you try not to get recognized, and you also do a special dance, and then you can get gifts. And then you go out to the streets and then you chase or get chased (depending if you are a mitaartoq (singular). It’s like Halloween but also not so much, more like another kind of tradition, which stems from Christian traditions and mixed with inuit tradition. Photos by Visit Greenland-Stine Selmer Andersen, Gunnar Gunnarsson & Aningaaq R. Carlsen Movie clip by Explore North Greenland, Anja K. Sandgreen #explorenorthgl #greenland #arctictravel #greenlandpioneer #nunarputnuan

The moravian influence (See also post) Christmas in Greenland is so huge, and very festive celebration with a great joyful spirit, Combined with the inuit spirit, you must also keep in mind the moravian influence, The moravians were germans that were christians who also missioned Christianity in Greenland, They left a legacy of the Christmas star, and the way you sing a hymn with multiple choir singing with great spirit, and also many hymns that are still favorites to this day in the inuit society, Like: “Nuivoq ulloriaq”, “Qujallusi qaagitsi” Photos by Visit Greenland- Karl Bidstrup, Aningaaq R. Carlsen Movie clip by Explore North Greenland, Anja K. Sandgreen #explorenorthgl #greenland #arctictravel #greenlandpioneer #nunarputnuan

3 great advice from park ranger Aalunnguaq (See also post) Park ranger Aalunnguaq covers a large area as a park ranger at Greenland’s first Unesco heritage site area in Ilulissat, And he has a lot of experience being in the wilderness of Greenland, and he has some great advice for all of us walking/hiking in nature, Nature is very beautiful here, but you also must take your precautions because of the special environmental and weather factors, that are so different than anywhere else you have been, And also the weather can change suddenly. As the saying goes: Safety first. Photos by Visit Greenland- Paul Zizka, Filip Gielda, Aningaaq R. Carlsen Movie clip by Explore North Greenland, Anja K. Sandgreen #explorenorthgl #greenland #arctictravel #greenlandpioneer #nunarputnuan

#explorenorthgl #greenland #arctictravel #greenlandpioneer #nunarputnuan

(See also post) Christmas in Greenland. Christmas in Greenland is very special, because of the traditions. Also the way you sing the Christian hymns and you also get closer to each other, you can really feel the Christmas spirit, And there’s a special vibe, when Santa Claus comes by to light up the Christmas tree by dogsled or fire truck in the polar darkness, at first advent Sunday There’s also usually a Christmas market in many towns, and you also light the Christmas star at your home, Have a Merry Christmas and first advent Sunday, Photos by Visit Greenland- Dan Normann, Sofia Prado, Axel G. Hansen, Aningaaq R. Carlsen Movie clip by Explore North Greenland, Anja K. Sandgreen #explorenorthgl #greenland #arctictravel #greenlandpioneer #nunarputnuan