|
| The world's northernmost alternative newspaper |
| Local | Diversions | Polar Regions | World | Opinion | Blog | Photos | Video | Audio | Games | Resources |
| Savoring some serious sun Annual Solfestuka celebrates light's return with crazy sleds, skits, songs – and lots of cold
(Full schedule and event links) Who could possibly be unhappy to see the sun return after months of darkness? A lot of people living in Arctic villages it turns out, as recent studies show depression peaks during the months of continuous summer light. But it seems people in Svalbard – here by choice and more active than their northerns peers – don't share that view. Solfestuka, a weeklong celebration of the sun's return that begins Sunday, seems by far the most popular event of the year among Longyearbyen residents. Sure, some find sleeping harder and the swarms of tourists an occasional nuisance, but not many go through the serious and often abusive downers all that sun causes elsewhere. "I believe that the level of activity and all the offerings we have throughout the year helps to reduce the problem," wrote Roger Ødegård, Longyearbyen's cultural advisor, in an e-mail interview. Solfestuka was voted the most important event of the year by 49 percent of 620 people in an online Svalbardposten poll conducted in January, eclipsing 17 percent for Dark Season Blues, 14 percent for Spitsbergen Rock and Polarjazz, and 6 percent for KunstPause. Longyearbyen's three-and-a-half-month-long polar night officially ended Feb. 14, but the surrounding mountains keep most of the town in twilight. The sun is scheduled to shine on the steps of the old hospital outside Svalbard Church at 12:18 p.m. Monday, where hundreds typically gather each year for a symbolic celebration of the sun's return. The festival begins at 11 a.m. Sunday with a liturgy at the church. The church will also host the first of numerous performances as the biblical story "The Woman At The Well" is presented by singer/actress Inger Lise Rypdal, with support from Marius Rypdal and Morten Reppesgård. A new event, also on Sunday, is an evening focusing on Norwegian film. Acclaimed critics Per Haddal of Aftenposten and Martin Nordvik of Adresseavisen will lead a discussion at 5 p.m. at Huset, followed by screenings of "Nord" at 6 p.m. and "Jernanger" at 8 p.m. Another new event is an ice skating party at the newly built outdoor rink next to Polarflokken kindergarten at 6 p.m. March 11. A featured band making their Svalbard debut is donkeyboy, with a free concert for students through high school at 5 p.m. March 10 and a general audience show at 9 p.m. at Brasseri Nansen. "They are very popular, nominated for five Norwegian Grammy awards," Ødegård wrote. They "have been the support band for a-ha at their concerts in Britain before Christmas and are now also beginning to be known in other countries." Traditional favorites include a youth talent competition at 5 p.m. March 9 at Brasseri Nansen and a variety show lampooning the community at 8 p.m. March 13 at Huset. "This means large and small events throughout the last year – nothing is too small, nor too large," the schedule notes. "And no one can feel safe." The most colorful event may be the Ta Sjansen sledding contest at 1 p.m. March 13 at Hiorthhamn, where participants vie for speed and decorative supremacy. A shuttle to the site is available for those without snowscooters. Solfestuka 2010 schedule Sunday, March 7 Monday, March 8 Tuesday, March 9 Wednesday, March 10 Thursday, March 11 Friday, March 12 Saturday, March 13 Official site: http://www.solfest.no Published in the March 2, 2010, print edition. |
||
All contents copyright 2010 by Icepeople or other copyright holders. Icepeople material may be reproduced elsewhere free of charge for noncommercial use. Contact Mark Sabbatini at marksabbatini@yahoo.com for information about anything else of seeming importance.
Home | Local | Diversions | Polar Regions | World | Opinion | Blog | Photos | Video | Games | Resources |
