Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Visit a Swedish Winter Wonderland
An eventful market in a winter wonderland This annual market with a 400-year unbroken tradition continues to showcase local handicraft and products, mixed with music and events in the snowy postcard-like settings of Swedish Jokkmokk. By Kristine Olofsson
Jokkmokk’s Market has been considered a huge event ever since permanent marketplaces were established near the Sámi winter settlements at the beginning of the 17th century. “The market traditionally starts the first Thursday of each February, but there are events all week long, and next year’s market, themed Arctic design, will
Photo: Petter Johansson
be the 415th edition,” says Birgitta Nilsson, market general. Located in Lapland, and part of the Arctic part of Sweden, the market is an important tradition for its surroundings. The long rows of stalls display amazing hand-crafted products as well as locally produced items such as clothes, jewellery
Photo: Graeme Richardson
and food, as well as toys and sweets for the youngest visitors. “Jokkmokk’s market is truly unique. We have vendors that have been with the market for 50 years, as well as students from the Sámi Education Centre showcasing their work,” says Nilsson. The market is also famous for its recurring events, such as the thrilling reindeer race and the traditional reindeer caravan. Other popular elements include dog sledding, northern lights tours, concerts and ‘yoik’ singing performances. There are also plenty of opportunities to try exciting dishes, such as reindeer kebab – souvas – and the locally brewed Jokkmokk beer. It is easy to see why visitors around the world choose to come to this winter wonderland for an unforgettable experience.
E-mail: visit@jokkmokk.se Phone: +46 971 222 50 Facebook: jokkmokksmarknad
Enjoy the silence Within the borders of Laponia, visitors can marvel at sights such as high mountain ranges, glaciers, large marshes, lakes and streams, and ancient forests. In the summer, those who visit the area should be prepared for the chance of running into one or several of the 65,000 reindeer who roam the region. By Pia Petersson
This vast, exceptional area in northern Sweden was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. “This of course means that it’s important for all mankind to preserve Laponia, in terms of protection of nature as well as culture. The latter re-
Photo: Åke E:son Lindman
66 | Issue 131 | December 2019
fers to the Sami culture and the reindeer herding in the area,” Kristin Luukinen, administrator of nature conservation in Laponia, explains. Laponia consists of four national parks and two nature reserves. Additionally,
Photo: Carl-Johan Utsi
there are nine Sami communities in the area. In 2014, a visitors’ centre, which also functions as the gateway to the whole World Heritage Site, opened its doors to the public. Local Sami people chose the spot where Naturum Laponia, as the centre is called, was built. “At Naturum, we aim to inform visitors about the nature and Sami culture in Laponia, and to inspire them. We also advise on things such as walking tours and where the good spots for putting up a tent are. There’s also a lovely café here, serving local delicacies such as smoked Arctic char, reindeer sausage and waffles with cloudberry jam,” says Luukinen. For those interested in visiting the area, it is worth adding that Laponia is the quietest place in Europe. Moreover, the spot furthest away from any road – about 50 kilometres – in Europe is found here. Web: www.laponia.nu