TROMSØ

NORWAY Europe

Tromsø is known as the
‘Land of the Midnight Sun’.
The city lies so far north
that for two months every
summer, there is daylight
24/7. In the depths of
winter however, the polar
night lasts all day. Children
go to school in the dark,
with only the Moon and
its reflection in the snow
casting natural light.

SAMI CELEBRATIONS

The indigenous people of northern
Scandinavia are the Sami. They
traditionally live a semi-nomadic
lifestyle, herding reindeer and
sleeping all year round in tents.
Tromsø holds a Sami Week every
February, featuring reindeer racing
and lasso throwing.

LONGEST DAY

People often have trouble
sleeping during the summer in
Tromsø, and many homes and
hotels put blackout blinds on
their windows. Others choose to
embrace the endless daylight.
They throw parties and stage
events such as Tromsø’s Midnight
Sun Marathon, which doesn’t
start until 8 o’clock in
the evening.

WARM AND BRIGHT

It gets bitterly cold in Tromsø. The
Sami use the skins of reindeer
and the fur of other
animals to create natural
layers of clothing. The
men sometimes wear a
ceremonial ‘four-winds’
hat. Each hat has a
distinct pattern relating
to the owner’s
background –
a bit like a kilt
in Scotland.

ARCTIC
FOOD

Many restaurants in
Tromsø have arctic-
flavoured menus. Whale
steak, fish and reindeer meat
has been part of the local diet
for thousands of years.

CHILLY CHURCH

Many buildings in Tromsø are made
out of wood, including the city’s
famous old cathedral. Another
church, however, holds claim to
the grand title of ‘Cathedral
of the Arctic’. The modern
Ishavskatedralen rises up out
of the ground like a row
of jagged icicles.

AWESOME AURORA

Tromsø is in the heart of the aurora zone. On
dark nights an amazing lightshow often takes
place in the sky above the city. The freaky
phenomenon is known as the aurora borealis
or ‘northern lights’. It is caused by the fusion
of cosmic rays, solar wind and magnetospheric
plasma, which combine to create a ghostly
green glow that dances in the arctic air.

Traditionally, the Sami people believe that the
mysterious lights come from the souls of their
dead ancestors, and they must be treated
with great respect. Even now, some Sami will
remain inside when the aurora occurs. If caught
outside they will stay silent, in case they’re
taken away by the lights.