Welcome to Northern Norway

Welcome to the Northern Norway issue

71.1710° N, 25.7837° E

Northern Norway is a geographical region that stretches from Helgeland to North Cape—the northernmost point of mainland Europe. It's known for its stunning nature, unique culture, and natural phenomena, as well as for its creative inhabitants. The midnight sun in the summer and northern lights in the winter inspire artists near and far, while the historical wooden houses and quaint fishing villages provide perfect spaces for artisans and makers to design and showcase their work. Furthermore, the Sami people—the indigenous people of the north—bring life to the region with their colourful costumes, ancient sounds, authentic traditions, and craftsmanship, ranging from knitting and weaving to knife making and wood carving.

Tromsø, sometimes referred to as the ‘Gateway to the Arctic’ or the ‘Paris of the North’, is the largest city in Northern Norway, with a population of approximately 75,000 people. The main pedestrian street called Storgata is dotted with small boutiques, vintage shops, and highend fashion stores, while the nearby cafes and restaurants are constantly bustling with patrons. Home to the Northern Norwegian Museum of Art and the Arctic Cathedral, hundreds of exhibitions and concerts allow visitors to experience the culture and sounds of the north through different forms of art and music all year round. Moreover, the Arctic Cathedral is one of Tromsø’s most famous landmarks for its impressive architecture, built in 1965 and inspired by Arctic nature.

Roughly 500 kilometres south of Tromsø lies Bodø, Northern Norway’s mini metropole and the future European Capital of Culture 2024. Once a little coastal town with steamship quays and canning factories, Bodø is now a thriving cultural scene complete with street art, music festivals, gourmet restaurants, and more. Stormen Concert Hall features all kinds of music and performing arts—from pop, rock, and jazz to ballet, opera, and theatre—while the Kjerringøy Trading Post consists of 15 old buildings that are frozen in time and have inspired the works of many. Knut Hamsun is one of them, a Norwegian writer who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in Literature in 1920 for his novels, several of which have been made into movies and filmed in the area.

Situated halfway between Tromsø and Bodø is the Lofoten archipelago, made up of six main islands with two towns, namely Svolvær and Leknes. In addition, there are several idyllic villages scattered along the coasts, surrounded by dramatic landscapes which have attracted and inspired artists from all over the world for decades. The fishing village of Henningsvær, for instance, is frequented by art lovers and hipsters (as well as local fishermen, of course) and is lined with niche shops and galleries that combine old and new designs. Some notable techniques include glassblowing, wool hat design, and candle making. During the months of November and December, Henningsvær transforms into a Christmas village, complete with lights and a cosy atmosphere for both locals and tourists to enjoy.

In this issue, we give you an inside look at the creative communities across Northern Norway, featuring clothing brands, furniture makers, interior architects, kitchen manufacturers, and more.