Welcoming Siri Helle to Artica Svalbard

Artica Svalbard is delighted to welcome our latest resident, Siri Helle, a nonfiction author and journalist whose work delves into themes of environmental responsibility, rural life, and practical engagement with the world around us.

Nominated by the Norwegian Non-Fiction Writers and Translators Association (Norsk faglitterær forfatter- og oversetterforening), Helle will be in residence from February to April 2025. Her published works include Trollefossvegen 23 – Tilbake til heimbygda (Samlaget, 2022), Med berre nevane – Eit forsvar for praktisk arbeid (Samlaget, 2019), and Handle rett – Lure val i ein matbransje full av juks (Samlaget, 2014).

With a background in ecological agriculture, Helle’s writing reflects her deep interest in how our connection to place influences our actions and responsibilities, both locally and globally. During her residency at Artica Svalbard, she will begin research on a new project examining the concept of "place attachment" and how it shapes environmental stewardship. Using Svalbard as a case study, she will explore the challenges transient communities face in cultivating meaningful connections to their surroundings, and how hands-on interaction with the environment can foster deeper relationships with it.

This work builds on her previous explorations of personal and collective ties to place and aims to contribute to broader discussions about sustainability, belonging, and community. We look forward to following Siri Helle’s journey and insights during her time in Svalbard and beyond.

Welcome, Siri!