Deep within the Arctic Circle, wedged between gigantic glaciers and beneath polar ice floes, Swedish photographer and content creator Cecilia Blomdahl found extraordinary warmth.
The Norwegian archipelago of Spitsbergen, located approximately halfway between Norway’s northern coast and the North Pole, is the site of the world’s northernmost permanent settlements. Blomdahl, who lives in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen’s largest city, is one of about 2,500 residents in the region. Here, colorful huts contrast with colossal ice sheet backdrops and vibrant celestial phenomena light up the sky.
Blomdahl moved to Spitsbergen in 2015 and documents her unique life for millions of fascinated followers on social media. She has now captured the tranquility of her home, sparkling in shades of blue, in a new photo book entitled ‘Life on Svalbard’.
“When you live here you are really immersed in it; the quiet and peaceful nature,” Blomdahl, a former hospitality worker turned content creator, told CNN: “And being so close to nature every day; it is in love.”
The challenges of a beautiful life
For all its natural beauty, Spitsbergen is much more than a pretty place. Its rich resources, such as fish, gas and mineral deposits, have made it a subject of economic and diplomatic debate in the past, and it now serves as a thriving global hub for economic activity and scientific research. For those just visiting for a spell, it’s a bucket list tourist destination.
But as Blomdahl knows, life on Spitsbergen is not easy. From temperatures sometimes dropping below minus 30 (-34.4 degrees Celsius), to polar bears and Arctic foxes occasionally roaming the local streets, it takes a unique individual to leave life on the mainland behind. and move to such a remote and sometimes forbidden place.
“Every day feels adventurous. It’s going to be crazy or wild or just a regular day,” Blomdahl said, “but a regular day here is so different; it’s drinking coffee with the northern lights, or the midnight sun, or reindeer.’
These are common feelings within the Spitsbergen community: the extreme conditions, while enchanting, keep people from accidentally lingering in the area. People from about 50 countries live there, working in areas such as scientific research and seasonal tourism.
What drives someone to look for a home in such a remote corner of the world? According to behavioral science experts, many people who seek out extreme conditions may be motivated by a desire to push the limits of their physical and psychological capabilities, to escape personal problems or daily boredom, or simply because of the excitement.
For Blomdahl, a glimpse of Svalbard’s unparalleled landscape was all she needed to give up her business ambitions in England and Sweden and choose what she describes in her book as a “life with nature, characterized by a slower pace ‘.
“Everything here is so pure and so beautiful,” Blomdahl said, “you think it’s some kind of magic because it’s so surreal.”
Living on the edge of the world
On her social media channels, Blomdahl shows viewers first-hand how the Spitsbergen environment shapes her daily life. For example, it is not only necessary to carry polar bear protective equipment when traveling outside designated settlements, it is also required by law. In a striking image in her book, she is depicted with a firearm strapped to her back as she and her dog stand far from the settlements. Blomdahl, who photographed all the footage herself, even captured a polar bear near her home – taken from a noticeable distance, for safety reasons.
A year on Spitsbergen is characterized by two unusual light periods: polar night and midnight sun. The polar night runs from mid-November to the end of January, when the sun does not rise above the horizon. Midnight sun, which lasts about 18 weeks between April and August, is when the sun does not set below the horizon. These periods of constant light and darkness all day can take a heavy toll on the body and mind. Blomdahl recalled how friends, disoriented by the polar night, went to work in the middle of the night, instead of during the equally dark hours of the day.
Such abnormal living conditions can have profound effects on people’s health. Despite a generally positive view of health and quality of life in Svalbard, polar night and midnight sun can disrupt sleep-wake cycles and blood protein levels and lead to an increased risk of chronic diseases. Despite taking supplements, Blomdahl says she has noticed a drop in her vitamin D levels, which supports immune health and brain cell activity.
Nevertheless, Blomdahl still says that the polar night is “one of the best times of the year,” when she can “become one with the darkness.” She enjoys the downtime during that period, but emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive outlook and staying active during what could otherwise be a lethargic season.
“Your mentality is so powerful. I see these dark days as something fun,” Blomdahl said, “I think it’s very much up to each person to try to create that routine and that mentality.”
A balanced view
Maintaining an adaptive mindset is also an important way Svalbardians are coping with the unique threat that climate change poses to the region. Longyearbyen is warming six times faster than the global average, studies show, and thawing permafrost and rising sea levels threaten the local economy and infrastructure. Studies within other Arctic communities show a link between climate change and higher levels of mental stress. In Spitsbergen, people report a high level of satisfaction with their lives despite environmental challenges, but the complications of climate issues such as permafrost thaw can leave some feeling powerless. Blomdahl notes that an annual environmental study is carried out in Spitsbergen to manage the risks.
As for daily life, Svalbard is sufficiently equipped with the resources to sustain its population. Longyearbyen boasts most of what most mainland cities have to offer, including an airport, a hospital, educational institutions and more – all crowned the northernmost of their institutions in the world. However, given the missionary work that characterizes much of Spitsbergen’s economy, not to mention the harsh conditions, the average stay in Spitsbergen is only seven years, according to the Norwegian Bureau of Statistics.
Yet, according to Blomdahl, this fits in well with the desire not to expand life on Spitsbergen. Local officials have used available resources primarily to maintain life on Svalbard as it is, given environmental and development constraints.
As for Blomdahl, her positive attitude and love for Svalbard keep her from dwelling on uncertainty or worry. Instead, she says she focuses solely on creating educational and peaceful content about her special life in a special place.
“That’s exactly what I want to do,” said Blomdahl, “I want to continue to show the beauty of the Arctic. I just want to show Spitsbergen as it is.”
For more CNN news and newsletters, create an account at CNN.com
