The winter darkness in Qaanaaq is over

Ane Qujaukitsoq is happy about the brighter and warmer times. She tells AG that.

– Of course it is nice that it is getting brighter. The street lights are now turned off before sunrise, says Ane Qujaukitsoq.

On February 17, the sun returned to Qaanaaq after 116 days without sun. The return of the sun was marked in various ways in the city. Health and Leisure from Avannaata Municipality arranged evening entertainment for the city's citizens, says Ane Qujaukitsoq.

– Many participated in the traditional celebration at sunrise, where the sun song “Seqernup qungujulluni” was sung. A competition was also held to write poems about the sun, as were other activities, says Ane Qujaukitsoq.

While the sea at Qaanaaq was covered in ice, the Qimuggeq dog sledding club organized an 11.2-kilometer sled race.

Adolf Simigaq finished first of the four participating dog sleds, after 30 minutes and 45 seconds, Qimuggeq reports on its Facebook page.

According to Ane Qujaukitsoq, people use the winter darkness in different ways, but she emphasizes that one can also choose to use the period positively.

“I love going out in the morning when the moon is shining and I can see the entire horizon. I make an effort not to feel the winter darkness, for example by doing a lot of sports,” she says.