I saw the first sunbeams of the year reach Longyearbyen on 8th March. That day the children gather at a certain place in the town where the sun can be seen for the first time in five months. Then the weeklong sun festival begins.
To the story.

Posted 20th March 1999

I went to Longyearbyen 11th February. The darkness still held the town, but every day the sun rose a little bit closer to the horizon. Then, finally, on the last day of my stay, the first sunbeams touched the peaks of the surrounding mountains.
To the story.

Posted 26th February 1998

I went on a voyage to Spitsbergen this summer. However, after many difficulties, we landed at Bear Island, and we decided to abandon our planned destination and to return to Norway from here.
To the story.

Posted 7th August 1997

I went on my first trip to Spitsbergen in December. I saw a wonderful land and great darkness, as the sun is as much as 12° below the horizon at noon in the midwinter. I also got to feel the icy gales of the arctic.
To the story.

Posted 21st April 1997