Arctic Collections

Overview

Deep within the grand edifice of the Nordic Museum in Stockholm, Sweden, lies a captivating exploration of the planet's northernmost reaches: 'The Arctic – While the Ice Is Melting'. This compelling exhibition is not merely a display of artifacts but an immersive journey into the history, culture, and urgent future of the Arctic region and its resilient inhabitants. Opened in October 2019, it continues to be a central and highly impactful experience within the museum's Great Hall, inviting visitors to connect with a world both ancient and rapidly changing.

The exhibition powerfully combines historical context with contemporary realities, weaving together narratives from scientific research, traditional knowledge, and personal stories. Through its innovative design and rich content, it illuminates the profound relationship between humans and ice, offering a unique perspective on a vital part of our global heritage and future.

History & Cultural Background

The Nordic Museum, or Nordiska museet, has long served as Sweden's largest cultural-historical museum, dedicated to preserving and showcasing the life and work in Sweden and the Nordic countries from the 16th century to the present day. Its extensive collections, boasting over 1.5 million items, span everything from textiles and furniture to toys and photographs, painting a comprehensive picture of Nordic life.

'The Arctic – While the Ice Is Melting' aligns perfectly with this mission, delving into a crucial aspect of Nordic and global culture. The exhibition is the culmination of three years of intensive preparatory work, involving collaboration between the museum, Stockholm University, and numerous researchers and experts from across the polar region. It chronicles the enduring presence of people in the Arctic, a region where communities have lived in harmony with the ice for thousands of years. The exhibition extends its focus beyond just the Nordic Arctic territories—including Greenland, Iceland, Finland, Norway, and Sweden—to encompass other vital Arctic locations such as Clyde River in Canada and Yamal in Russia, highlighting the interconnectedness of Arctic cultures and challenges. Notably, it also integrates the rich cultural heritage of the Indigenous Sami people, placing their traditions and contemporary lives within the broader Arctic narrative.

What Makes It Special

What truly sets 'The Arctic – While the Ice Is Melting' apart is its deeply immersive and emotionally resonant exhibition design. Visitors step into a meticulously crafted environment that evokes the Arctic itself. The centerpiece is a colossal mock-up of an iceberg, dramatically split by a deep, symbolic rift. Guests embark on a journey through this 'iceberg', where past and present, science and mythology converge.

The museum's soaring Great Hall, with its vaulted ceilings more than 20 meters high, becomes an integral part of the experience. The Arctic sky, complete with celestial phenomena, is projected onto these vast surfaces, further transporting visitors to the northern latitudes. This powerful blend of architectural scale, sensory immersion, and compelling storytelling creates an unforgettable encounter with the Arctic's beauty and its precarious situation. The exhibition candidly confronts the urgent issue of climate change, presenting the story of the region's peoples through an environmental lens and underscoring the immediate and dire consequences of a warming planet for the four million people who call the Arctic home.

Stories, Fun Facts & Local Details

The exhibition is rich with human stories, brought to life through a series of ten documentary films. These films feature real individuals from diverse Arctic communities, offering firsthand perspectives from places like Qaanaaq in Greenland, Vatnajökull in Iceland, Näätämö in Finland, Svalbard in Norway, and various locations in Sweden. The scope also includes voices from Clyde River in Canada and Yamal in Russia, painting a mosaic of contemporary Arctic life. Visitors can encounter a variety of objects, from practical items like a traditional sealskin amaat—a woman's parka designed to carry a baby—from Greenland, to an exquisite Sami silver collar, once a valuable part of Sami women's festive attire. These artifacts not only illustrate daily life but also reveal the deep cultural significance embedded in Arctic traditions.

An interactive station within the Great Hall offers a unique opportunity for personal reflection: visitors can make a 'climate pledge' to their future selves, transforming the educational experience into a call to action. The Nordic Museum itself, housed in a magnificent building resembling a Renaissance palace, is a historical marvel, completed in 1907. Even the museum's restaurant gets into the spirit, occasionally offering Arctic-inspired flavors to complement the exhibition.

Visitor Perspective

For those curious travelers planning a visit, 'The Arctic – While the Ice Is Melting' offers an enriching and thought-provoking experience designed to last between 45 to 90 minutes, depending on the depth of engagement. Audio guides are readily available, providing enhanced understanding and allowing visitors to explore at their own pace. The exhibition aims not just to inform but to create a powerful, immersive, and emotional encounter with a region that is critically important to our global ecosystem and cultural heritage. It's an opportunity to learn about the complexities of Arctic life, the beauty of its landscapes, and the profound impact of global changes on its communities, leaving visitors with both new knowledge and a deeper sense of connection to this remarkable part of the world.