Residents Recommend by Maritea Dæhlin

Hike to Longyearbreen, February 2023 Photo by Maritea Dæhlin

For this year’s International Women’s day we are pleased to share the Residents Recommend text by Maritea Dæhlin.

I came to Longyearbyen together with my family to spend 6 weeks here at Artica. After a bit over a month here I can say that the biggest recommendation, that at least has been right to me/us, has been to come with little expectation of what this place would bring to me/us and what would come out of it artistically. It has been important for me to just be here, to absorb the place, which is so different than any other place I have been to, at the same time as surprisingly also feeling familiar. I am very thankful for being given a space that is not just about producing a final product, but more about observing, sleeping, resting, feeling how a process is activated from within, without yet knowing what it means or will mean. It has also included a lot of writing, thinking, reading and sketching. Just to be here puts so many realities and subjects into a new and confronting light. I wouldn't have been able to meet the residency in this way if I had had to apply, instead of being nominated (invited).

For some it might be best to come alone, so more than recommending it, I would say it has definitely been the right thing for me/us to come with my family and see the place through the eyes of a child and my partner. I believe in the importance of being able to share this experience collectively with them, creating a bank of shared experiences in life, that shape us, challenge us and make us grow. This would probably not have been such a good experience, had it not been for the people we have met here, who have received all of us with a lot of openness and patience, not all adults have the capacity to be at the level of a child, but Lisa (from Artica) and Maggie (local) do. So to play, cook, explore and spend time with them made us quickly feel at home.

Some of the ways to build a relationship with people that live here or are staying here for shorter periods, is to meet them at the monthly morning coffee club at Artica or to go to the library, where we have spent many hours. The library with the librarian Lars, has a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Its where the local children hangout after school and a great place to just think, read and meet new people. It also hosts artist presentations, workshops and more.

Another place that I really want to recommend, even though it might not be right for all, is Svalbardhallen, as it is a place for the locals where we have been able to use the swimming pool, sauna, spinning classes and on Sunday’s is open for some hours for the kids to run around and play in the big sport hall together with peers and their parents. After the activities you can buy a waffle and juice. To be able to go to a place like this, which is not aimed at tourists, but that gives a sense of daily life, has been great.

And of course, even though I mention the indoors, I guess it is obvious that what makes this place so unique is mainly the outdoors and the history.

P.S. A last recommendation, if you use glasses, try to avoid bringing ones made of metal, it hurts in the cold and it’s too beautiful here to not see it!

You can read more about Dæhlin here.