Crown Prince and Crown Princess visit Svalbard

The visit began at Longyearbyen Public Library, where they were welcomed by Governor of Svalbard Lars Fause. The library organises lectures and cultural activities for people of all ages throughout the year, and has a collection of fiction and non-fiction works. The collection gives special focus to literature about polar exploration and science.

The Crown Prince and Crown Princess left their shoes outside, a local custom dating from the time when shoes would often track coal dust indoors. The custom is still practised in many places in Svalbard.

The Crown Princess greets some of the children who came to see her and the Crown Prince outside Longyearbyen Public Library. Photo: Ole Berg-Rusten / NTB

While they were at the library, the head of the Longyearbyen Community Council, Arild Olsen, gave a brief presentation on the Svalbard community of today. The Crown Prince and Crown Princess had the opportunity to meet many people who are actively involved in the community. Voluntarism plays an important role in Svalbard life, as it does in the rest of Norway, and the Crown Prince and Crown Princess met representatives of organisations that organise activities in the great outdoors – or show up when danger or disaster strikes the archipelago. Both Norwegian People’s Aid and the Red Cross have active local affiliates in Longyearbyen that help to ensure safety and inclusion.

The Crown Prince and Crown Princess listen as speakers discuss Svalbard and voluntary work at the library in Longyearbyen. Photo: Ole Berg-Rusten / NTB

Not many years ago, Svalbard’s professional rescue crews and volunteer groups were both put to the test.

Increasing avalanche risk

Climate change is evident in Svalbard and is having major consequences. There is a greater threat of avalanches, and the one that came in December 2015 killed two people and destroyed 10 buildings in Longyearbyen. In February 2017, a new avalanche destroyed two dormitories. Vulnerable homes still have to be evacuated during periods of high avalanche risk.

Queen Sonja visited the avalanche area in January 2016. Photo: Heiko Junge / NTB scanpix

The increased danger of avalanches has led to significant changes. In the vulnerable Longyear Valley, work is underway to secure existing residential areas and identify new areas where it will be safe to build. Meanwhile, homes in the most threatened area are being removed. 

The Crown Prince and Crown Princess visited an embankment built to protect the town from new avalanches. There they met Elke Morgner and Malte Jochman, whose house was swept away in the 2015 avalanche. They told the Crown Prince and Crown Princess about the dramatic day when their family of four and a visiting friend were buried in snow that engulfed their kitchen. Jochman’s arms remained free, allowing him to start digging to extract himself and the others

The Crown Prince and Crown Princess heard about the day in 2015 when an avalanche destroyed homes and killed two people in Longyearbyen. Photo: Simen Sund, The Royal Court 

Visit to youth club

After their visit to the avalanche embankment, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess continued on to Longyearbyen’s new youth club. The club opened in March, and the young people who will be using it have helped to design and furnish the premises themselves. The Crown Prince and Crown Princess spoke with them about the club and club activities, and heard their accounts of growing up in one of the world’s northernmost settlements.

Dinner with the Governor

Tonight, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit will be guests of the Governor at the Governor’s estate, which serves as both the home and office of the Governor. It is located at Skjæringa, the historic site where Longyearbyen was established at the beginning of the 20th century.