FREE Weather summary Cloudy and partly cloudy, with moderate winds and temperatures from 1C to 5C. icepeople Full forecast page 3

The world's northernmost alternative newspaper Vol. 8, Issue 17 June 7, 2016 www.icepeople.net 'Longyearbyen at its best:' Modern tragedies, triumphs part of traditional tributes during Syttende Mai celebration Page 7

“ To believe that the governor can rescue people out, regardless of circumstances, is wrong. There is no guarantee for that. - Per Andreassen, police lieutenant governor's office ”

MARK SABBATINI / ICEPEOPLE A band visiting from Germany, left, plays for other visitors as their tour ship docks in . At right, visitors take a short break during the tour. Late update: 12 apartments vacated again due to building, infrastructure damage. Ghost of a ghost icepeople.net Exactly one week – to the hour – after Pyramiden's tourism revival means both new life and becoming a shadow of its haunted past Least-wanted list: How to avoidthis newspaper being one was dealt an almost certainly of "those" shippy summer tourists.fatal blow, it was resurrected. By MARK SABBATINI famous guide known as Sasha delivers his usu- Our demented editor (the fact he refers to Editor al spiel in a voice and clothing directly from Sentient Soviet spirits himself Page in third-person 7 plural should be Tours begin with a humorous quip about central casting of the stereotypical Soviet era. One man's quest to buy Pyramiden WENCHE RAVLO sufficient proof of that), was at his usual table the only thing it's OK to steal. "Sometimes tourists like to take coal from Page 5 in Fruene (not so much lately, since Standing under Pyramiden's iconic en- there so we have to refill it," he said. "It's OK The famous ghost host nobody knows "camping" isn't cool during peak tourist trance sign next to a cart containing supposedly though. If you want some coal, that's OK." icepeople.net season) when Anne Lise Sandvik, who for the last ton of coal mined in the settlement, the See GHOST, page 7 years has been our pick for "Best Community Organizer" on the "Best of Svalbard" Hit by Russia's toxic rocket Booster debris with carcinogenic War-era ballistic missile repurposed for civilian use jettisoned boosters containing highly toxic fuel jettisoned into sea south of fuel into waters near Svalbard, and Svalbard in 'successful launch' Canada shorty after launch Saturday. But while news of the planned mission – with the debris By MARK SABBATINI supposedly only targeted for Canadian waters – Editor sparked outrage among many, the drop was al- A suspicious person might say Russia's lowed because it was "announced upfront in ac- figured out how to conduct airstrikes on its cordance with international procedures." Arctic foes in a way that has the world's offi- Norwegian and other government officials NORWEGIAN JOINT HEADQUARTERS cial blessing. are downplaying the potential environmental Red circles on a map show where debris from a A rocket that just happens to be a Cold- See AIRSTRIKE, page 4 rocket hit the sea near Svalbard and Greenland. Diabolical DNA Ship out of luck OK, some can pass Pole power Kill this man if Disabled cruise Svalbard joins Guess the seen outside vessel towed yet another meaning of Svalbard? back to town alien battle 'maratończyk' Page 2 Page 3 Page 9 Page 12 Page 2 June 7, 2016

Who's to blame and how If the rule of 'better view = worse food' is true... to express your wrath

Editor Mark Sabbatini

Principal of principles Kristan Hutchison

Psychiatrist Irene Gallion

Accomplice Jeff Newsom Mailing address Get some real dirt on icepeople! Icepeople Vei 210 -2- 13 Our global headquarters available for rent during the March 20 eclipse! Sleeps three on actual , Svalbard furnishings (double bed and sofa), plus a few can squeeze in on the floor. Washing machine, turbo 9170 wi-fi and about a 5-10 minute walk to most places. Plus, you'll be helping provide our pitiful little newspaper with desperately needed funds. Contact [email protected] for details. JOHN MOFFET / SVALBARD WILDLIFE EXPEDITIONS Telephone We're wondering just how bad the food would have to be to offset the view at Svalbard Wildlife Norway: +47 41 51 46 38 Restaurant, a meal stop on one of taxing tours offered by a tour company founded by the same Presenting…the first-ever streaming video in a U.S. +1 (970) 673-4472 guy responsible for the rustic Gjesthuset 102. Of course, since there's also a cliche about "hunger newspaper: This may look like a snapshot, but is the best seasoning" they might need to serve freeze-dried meals raw to fully compensate. PRIVATE it's actually a 15-minute "live from London" stage E-mail performance playing in real time on this page. [email protected] Web site Icesheet ANONYMOUS www.icepeople.net Random bits of the week's weirdness: Icepeople is published weekly (or thereabouts) We try as folks pretending to be real jour- on Tuesdays (or thereabouts), with printed nalists not to make ourselves the news and, de- copies available free on a limited basis in spite what the photo to the right might suggest, Longyearbyen. Additional printed copies are we're adhering to that this week since it's oth- available locally and by mail upon request. ers who are spooked and maybe putting a Charges are on an "at cost" basis. bounty on what appears to be a genetic clone of this fishwrapper's editor (and by genetic Copyright stuff we also mean accessories like the clothes, back- pack an and computer). Morten Viking Sundby MORTEN VIKING SUNDBY Briefly Original contents of this publication can be took the photo at 4:14 p.m. at the Oasen shop- I think I'm a clone now: Enquiring minds want reproduced for non-commercial purposes free ping center in Karmøy, but he "did not talk to to know: is somebody spreading genetic copies of charge if Icepeople is credited as the him as I was kinda surprised and in a hurry." of this fishwrapper's editor across the planet? Cruising: Getting out of source. The original writers, photographers But Sundby did post the photo on Longyear- and other contributors retain their rights to all byen's community Facebook page, prompting minds have a question we're pretty sure other danger, but into 'death?' published works. reactions from mirth to terror to murderous VIPs aren't getting: At how many of those Another cruise season is about to embark rage. "What if there are more of them scattered stops did panicked hosts ask you if Donald full speed ahead in Svalbard, but the smiles of Mainland town claims to be top Corrections policy all over the planet?" worried one commenter. Trump really has a chance in hell of being those greeting passengers aren't being shared "Unbelievable," another wrote. "I think we the next president and do you have any idea by a lot of industry executives these days. per-person telethon giver, a title When we screw up you'll know about it – on should go get this guy. He has no right to steal what the hell he'll do if elected? Considering They took a blow last month when Britain held by Longyearbyen for years the front page. One of the big complaints our Mark. He should hang." For the record, His Hairness is telling his worshippers he'll sin- issued a warning telling travelers cruising here about newspapers is they tend to bury we're offering a non-monetary reward for infor- gle-handedly send the Paris climate treaty into is too dangerous. That warning may be re- corrections and clarifications deep inside mation leading to the identification of this very meltdown and sees no reason to thwart the am- where few people who read the original article suspicious person or evidence that a cloning bitions of his pal Putin (of those strong leaders see them. If we need to fix something, an alert operation does indeed exist … U.S. Secretary who's "winning" compared to those losers in box on the front page will state what story is in of State John Kerry is visiting Svalbard (and Mexico who will be paying for that wall), we ob- error and where the full correction is printed. other foreign Arctic terrain) this week on yet viously figure the potential impacts could been a another those frequent climate change junkets boon for us as journalists, assuming we're still free to publish uncensored after the election. SYSSELMANNEN Submitting material we tend to ignore, but this time our enquiring

Letters, columns, photos and other material are welcome, but we can't offer pay for The Mac Hack published items since nobody here is getting paid at the moment. Submissions in electronic We impishly dissect, gleefully crush and sadistically drown form (text, Word documents, JPEGs, etc.) are a Macintoshes. But since not many people are willing to pay highly preferred, although typing and/or scanning of items will be considered on a per- for that, we also repair, upgrade, disinfect Macs, and offer case basis. We reserve the right to edit spare cables, batteries and other parts – cheap! submissions for length, clarity, accuracy, libel Got a truly dead machine? Let us have "fun" with it! and other reasons, but we will also make (Seriously, the parts can help others and keep our prices low.) every reasonable effort to contact the author about any changes prior to publication. Call Mark at 4151 4638 or e-mail [email protected] June 7, 2016 Page 3

HEADLINES STOLEN FROM SVALBARDPOSTEN VERDENS NORDLIGSTE AVIS

Svalbard finally an officially 'sustainable destination' After many years, Svalbard has finally been officially classified as a "sustainable des- tination" by Norway's Ministry of Trade, In- dustry and Fisheries. The classification estab- lished by Innovation Norway is is based on international criteria demanding destinations meet a wide range of requirements to reduce their environmental and climatic footprint. Such destinations also need to show they are working hard for good conservation of nature and culture, in close cooperation of the local community, and a healthy economy in tourism. SYSSELMANNEN The Polarsyssel, left, tows the Ortelius cruise ship to Longyearbyen on Monday under the escort of Culture and foreign ministers, the Norwegian Coast Guard's KV Sortland. An engine failure stranded the Ortelius early Saturday. U.S. State Sec. making visits Two heads of Norway's ministries are vis- iting Longyearbyen during the next week as part of tours that include international officials. Norwegian Minister of Culture Lin- Not shipshape da Hofstad Helleland is scheduled to visit Sat- urday for the debut of Olav Christopher Cruise ship with engine failure, Jenssen's art exhibition at Kunsthall Svalbard. "I'm going to have with me a little novelty in towed back to Longyearbyen by the suitcase," the minister said, declining to governor, repairs expected soon provide any hints. Foreign Minister Børge Brende will accompany U.S. Secretary of By MARK SABBATINI State John Kerry on Thursday focusing on cli- Editor mate change and polar research. Specifics of A cruise ship with 146 people stranded in the latter visit have not yet been made public. Hinlopenstredetdeu due to an engine failure just after midnight Saturday was towed back Former Store Norske worker to Longyearbyen on Monday, according to loses lawsuit disputing layoff The . NORWEGIAN POLAR INSTITUTE The captain of the Ortelius reported the Terje Carlsen, Store Norske's former com- An area circled in red shows where a cruise ship munications director, has lost a lawsuit claim- failure at about 12:30 a.m. when the ship was broke down due to an engine failure Saturday. at the ice edge of the strait between Nordaust- ing his termination from the company earlier landet and , according to a state- Efforts were made to book passengers on this year was illegal. Carlsen, 58, said the dis- ment from the governor’s office. alternative short-term tours before their sched- missal failed to confine to labor union regula- “The captain described the situation as uled departure from Svalbard. The Ortelius is tions, and asserted he was ineligible for a pen- undramatic, and there has been no danger to expected to resume its normal schedule on sion because he was under 60 years of ago passengers, crew, ship or the environment,” Wednesday. and had worked for the company for less than the statement notes. The Ortelius was originally built in 1989 20 years. The lawsuit heard in Nord-Troms The governor’s Polarsyssel service vessel and served as a special purpose vessel for the District Court sought pension eligibility de- was sent to the site and, after an inspection Russian Academy of Science, according to The spite working only 12 years for the company. and consultation with professionals, concluded Independent Barents Observer. The ship has a But the court found the dismissal was legal the cruise ship needed to be towed to 1A ice-class notation, making voyages in the and ordered Carlsen to pay 88,475 kroner to Longyearbyen for repairs. icy waters north and east of Spitsbergen possi- Store Norske for court costs. Store Norske has The Norwegian Coast Guard vessel KV ble. undergone drastic downsizing during the past Sortland assisted with the final stretch of tow- There's more! Visit www.icepeople.net year due to a coal mining crisis, with only 100 ing. for the complete story. workers set to remain this year. Weather forecast for Longyearbyen

Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Partly cloudy. E winds to 18 Cloudy. E winds to 35 km/h. Partly cloudy. NE winds to 25 Partly cloudy. E winds to 25 km/h. High 4C (1C wind chill), High 4C (1C wind chill), low km/h. High 5C (2C wind chill), km/h. High 3C (0C wind chill), low 1C (-2C wind chill). 2C (-1C wind chill). low 3C (0C wind chill). low 3C (-1C wind chill).

24-hour daylight 24-hour daylight 24-hour daylight 24-hour daylight Extended forecast: Sunday, p. cloudy, 3C (0C), 2C (-2C), light 24:00h; Monday, p. cloudy, 3C (0C), 1C (-2C), light 24:00h; Tuesday, p. cloudy, 3C (1C), 1C (-1C), light 24:00h; Wednesday, p. cloudy, 5C (2C), 2C (-1C), light 24:00h; Data provided by Storm.no Page 4 June 7, 2016

By MARK SABBATINI Editor The University Centre in Svalbard is hop- ing to double in size during the next several years – but if the head of The University of Tromsø gets her w

MARK SABBATINI / ICEPEOPLE

Turning down the thermostat among the simplest, most useful tips at conservation conference

MINISTRY OF DEFENSE OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION A rocket that jettisoned debris from its boosters containing toxic fuel into two areas of the Barents Sea near Svalbard is launches Saturday from Russia. " according to press secretary Kirill Kalinin. "This rocket will not be falling into no-man’s land," Okalik Eegeesiak, a member of the Inuit Circumpolar Commission, told The Globe and Mail. "This is a vital body of wa- Is rocket debris dangerous? ter that is integral to the food supply of Inuit communities in Greenland and Canada. Inu- it live here, Inuit use the animals in these waters to feed our families." AIRSTRIKE, from page 1 Those living in the areas who rely on the controversy of why debris fell into the Barents risk in two areas of the Barents Sea where wildlife to survive, environmental activists and Sea. The Russian Embassy in Ottawa declared many scientists aren't so sanguine. before the launch environmental concerns were pieces of the booster fell. Published reports from experts on the Russian space program suggest it's normal for The rocket was fueled by hydrazine, which "seriously taken into account." "(The fuel components) are compounds about 10% of the fuel in the main stage to remain unburned, and an Arctic contaminant is so toxic Russia is one of only two countries While such launches are legal due the ad- that mix well with water," said Øyvind Voie, a specialist at the University of Manitoba says the hydrazine fuel is highly toxic and is still using it. An Arctic contaminant specialist vance notification, Canadian and other govern- research manager with the Norwegian Defense known to persist in water. Tortonto Sun Establishment, in an interview with The Inde- at the University of Manitoba told the Toronto ment officials said the notice should have come Sun the fuel is highly toxic and is known to per- further in advance – and many argue permis- pendent Barents Observer. "And the decomposi- Baffin Bay is packed full of Arctic creatures including narwhals and beluga whales, sist in water, and published reports by Russian sion, not merely notification, should be re- tion goes faster in seawater than in fresh water." as well as dolphins and seals. "In seawater, 50 percent will be degraded space program experts suggest it's normal for quired. about 10 percent of the fuel in the main stage to The Space Liability Convention of 1972 within six days, while only 20 percent is de- “The idea of dropping a missile full of toxic chemicals in the Arctic waters off Baf- remain unburned. does make states liable for damage caused by graded during 8 days in fresh water…probably fin Island is just as preposterous as drilling for oil there,” Greenpeace Arctic campaigner The Russian Ministry of Defense, in a press space objects. it will not be possible to find measurable con- Alex Speers-Roesch said Tuesday. centrations of dimethyl hydrazine in the seawa- release Saturday, declared the rocket "passed in a There's more! Visit www.icepeople.net regular mode" into orbit with no mention of the ter where the rocket booster crashed." for the complete story. “Dumping these chemicals from a ship would be a clear violation of international and Canadian law, and it is no more acceptable when it is dumped from the air.” "Our animals come from there," says Marty Kuluguqtuq, senior administrative offi- Worth 1,078 words cer for the tiny hamlet of Grise Fiord on Ellesmere Island. "It is quite alarming that a for- eign object with contaminants might be affecting our way of life, with us literally seeing Expressive and enigmatic photos of Need the thing coming down from the sky." Svalbard by Nora Grøndal. 120 X 80 cm on aluminum or acrylic, with Nunavut Senator Dennis Patterson called for a stronger response. anti-contact wall fixtures - 3,200 kroner help? "I think what we really need is for Russia to seek permission — not give notice, Small floating table/shelf images - 350 kroner however early," he told CBC News. "And for Canada to stage a recovery team in the Arts&Crafts Center at Galleri Svalbard. • Editing and Writing (English) Arctic and then pursue the Russians for costs under the Space Liability Convention if not • Web Development and Management the Arctic Waters Pollution and Prevention Act." See Nora's portfolio at www.nora.heime.net Open 11-17 daily 95 10 49 45 • Web Marketing • Tech Support • Office, Kitchen and Warehouse Assistance Public Safety Canada has said its Government Operations Centre will monitor the • Business Consulting launch closely. • Any Other Staffing Needs (1 hour minimum) The Russian Embassy in Ottawa downplayed the risk. Environmental concerns were "seriously taken into account," according to press secretary Kirill Kalinin.

Travin Keith Cold-War-era ballistic missile repurposed for civilian use, is known to be fuelled by www.travinkeith.com hydrazine. Hydrazine is highly toxic and Russia is one of two countries in the world that +47 9836 5700 continue to use it as a launch propellant.

No contract required • Invoices available June 7, 2016 Page 5

MARK SABBATINI / ICEPEOPLE Lenin has been looking over a lot of empty buildings in Pyramiden for decades and plenty of people think they should be more than tourist attractions. Riches and refugees People ask about buying Pyramiden weekly; here's one guy's reason why – and what he's eyeing now By JIWOON HWANG flights between Longyearbyen and allow Guest contributor easy access to the EU market and there’s a I’m a newcomer from South Korea. I grad- transatlantic non-stop flight from Oslo to Oak- uated Draper University's international en- land providing cheap access to Silicon Valley. trepreneurship program in Silicon Valley, at- Another possibility for the growth of Sval- tended an entrepreneurship program in South bard might be as a refugee settlement. Korea and used to enjoy making robots. I deeply believe every person has the right When I was traveling Europe, I decided to to abode anywhere in the world as a human visit Svalbard. I visited here two months ago. right, natural and inherent. Saying the person What amazed me was its great scenery and its has the right to live only within border of his or open-border policy welcoming every world cit- her country is saying Vatican citizens can only izen. After going through a seven-week en- live within 0.44 square kilometers while Rus- trepreneurship bootcamp in Silicon Valley, I sian citizens are entitled to 17.1 million square decided to develop Svalbard as international kilometers. hub of creativity, entrepreneurship and cos- Because the every sovereign country has mopolitanism. the right to approve admission of aliens on The most likely candidate for the place stringent criteria, all world citizens are effec- seemed to be Pyramiden, an abandoned Rus- tively disenfranchised of the right of expatria- sian mining city that used to house up to 1,000 ters and outer space (including the moon and tion. Particularly if the person is a citizen of a inhabitants and is owned by the Russian state- Mars), which are somewhat more difficult to developing country. According to Gallup, 700 owned company Trust . But after settle. But it's likely most of the world's citizens million people, or 16 percent of the world's discussing the possibility with locals after arriv- haven't heard of Svalbard, let alone its visa-free adult population, wants to emigrate to a foreign ing here and learning the company was reluctant opportunities. country permanently. to sell part or all of the settlement there now There’s a futuristic concept called Seast- Granted, this might not initially be wel- seems to be a more appropriate target – although eading, establishing permanent settlements on comed by the community or Norwegian gov- the goals remain the same. international waters outside the jurisdiction of ernment. Egyptian billionaire Naguib Sawiris, The open-border policy of Svalbard is one any state. Seasteading is supported by predomi- the owner of Orascom, for example, suggested of the most distinctive aspects of the archipela- nantly libertarians and futurists. There was a buying an island in Greece or Italy to settle go. Although the only refers to start-up called Blueseed in Silicon Valley that 200,000 refugees, but negotiations haven’t suc- citizens of signatory countries having the right raised around $10 million and tried to float a ceed so far. In particular, immigration legisla- to abode, "it has been chosen policy so far" to cruise ship 12 nautical miles outside the shore tion in Greece or Italy is a barrier to accepting welcome everyone. Among the results of that is of Silicon Valley for international en- refugees without approval of the government. a lot of Thai people living in Longyearbyen al- trepreneurs to start a company without a U.S. Countries tend to be more prosperous the though Thailand is not a signatory. work visa. Workers would commute to Silicon further they are to the north. Nearly all wealthy Svalbard is the only civilian settlement that Valley via ferry ship using short-term Business countries are above 30 degrees latitude north. do not require a residence permit (visa) for any Visitor status if needed. This line is known as Brandt line, proposed by nationalities. The only other such areas accessi- It is possible Svalbard could become such Willy Brandt, to depict the North-South divide. ble to humans are , international wa- an international entrepreneurship hub. Cheap See PURCHASE, page 6 Page 6 June 7, 2016

IMF WIKICOMMONS A map, left, shows countries above and below the world's GDP per capita, currently estimated at $10,700. Blue countries are above average, while orange countries are below. At right, the 217-square-kilometer Austre Adventfjord land tract near Longyearbyen has been on the market since 2014. 'More feasible than moon or Mars' PURCHASE, from page 5 Longyearbyen resident since 2010. The harsh I deeply believe a settlement in the Arctic Thanks to my seven-week stay in Silicon climate – along with limited housing, medical or Antarctica is much more feasible and practi- Valley, I became acquainted with some promi- facilities and work opportunities are – among cal than a settlement on the moon or Mars. nent Silicon Valley entrepreneurs and venture the reasons refugees would more ideally find Also, a settlement in Arctic could become a capitalists, and am hoping to attract their inter- safe haven on the mainland. model seasteading, an underwater city, or a set- est and support for my new proposal. But the number of asylum seekers this year tlement on the moon or Mars. I dream of devel- I’m now wondering whether the Bergen has dropped to an all-time low due to increas- oping Svalbard with its open borders as an epi- family that owns Austre Adventfjord is willing ingly harsh policies regarding refugees. The center of cosmopolitanism and humanitarian- to sell the 217-square-kilometer Austre Advent- Norwegian Directorate of Immigration stated in ism that will lead to the "World Schengen See ATTACKER, page 7 fjord private land tract for such purposes. As January it expected 60,000 asylum seekers in Agreement" or at least World (International) one of only two private properties in Svalbard, 2016, but to date only about 9,000 have filed an Freedom of Movement, and EUnization of the there might be fewer roadblocks for new ven- application and 3,693 have received asylum. United Nations in terms of peace, mobility, tures than government-owned land. The Green Party, in its advocacy, admits democracy, prosperity and human rights. Difficult issues would still remain. Hous- there are numerous practical and infrastructure I'm now meeting with entrepreneurs in ing refugees in Svalbard has been suggested by questions to be resolved if Svalbard is to house Svalbard and honestly haven't figured out too both Norway's Green Party (sincerely) and refugees, but reception facilities would be both much yet, since there's a need to adjust to the Progress Party (perhaps not so much, given its a better and more responsible investment in time zone and climate. Hopefully I can figure anti-immigration stance), but the idea is consid- providing local jobs than the funds being spent more out soon as I meet more people. If you ered impractical by many living here – includ- to "pause" coal mining and pursue other ques- have thoughts, contact me at jiwoonhwang@ ing Mouawia Lababidi, a Syrian who’s been a tionable prospects. gmail.com or www.facebook.com/jiwoonhwang. There's more! Visit www.icepeople.net for the complete story.

icepeople is an invaluable experience at the lowest is now the first newspaper in Europe to be accepted as a prices in Longyearbyen! Both our guests and full member of the Association of Alternative Newsmedia. staff are serious lovers of the Arctic from a That means a whole new global audience will be looking to wide range of backgrounds and nationalities Svalbard – and what it might have to offer those who visit. who come together as a community in what Tell them what you have with our extremely affordable print used to be the "millionaires' mansion" for the and website advertising, designed either by you or by us. most experienced miners. Get expedition tips from people well-familiar with the terrain Contact [email protected] or 4151 4638 for details. during our free communal breakfast, step outside and put your skis on in the shadow of a glacier, and share your adventures at the end of the day in our comfortable lounges and self-catering kitchen. Then sleep comfortably in our single, double and four- bed rooms before the next day's adventure.

+47 79 02 57 16 • +47 900 303 21 www.gjestehuset102.no June 7, 2016 Page 7

'We want to adopt you': Two hours of hell and angels evacuating my home. Page 9

MARK SABBATINI / ICEPEOPLE Alexander Romanovskiy, known to tourists as "Sasha," shows a group the supposed "last ton of coal" mined in Pyramiden, which also is a misnomer. Apparating in a ghost town GHOST, from page 1 now housing employees and overnight guests – The subtle intonation by Sasha (whose real are closed to general tours. name is Alexander Romanovskiy) letting the The pool hall, for example, is filled with audience know they're in on the joke is a wit- winding maze.like passages, many shrouded in ting way of delivering an increasingly neces- darkness and with uneven surfaces. The school sary admonition as eight years of efforts to re- is filled with children's drawings, math books, vamp tourism in the settlement are taking full sheet music and all the other usual materials – hold. sometimes neatly on walls and shelves, some- "If I see someone breaking in I have the times strewn about on the floor right to call police," he said in an interview lat- "There are too many artifacts people can er, although normally he just tells people not to take for souvenirs and it's messy," Ro- See PERMACULTURE, page 6 and/or put things back. manovskiy said. MARK SABBATINI / ICEPEOPLE As a result all of the buildings, except for What the visitors are missing: a drawing of Svalbard has been literally wiped off the map on the recreation hall and the refurbished hotel – See GHOST, page 8 a globe inside the school in Pyramiden.

MARK SABBATINI / ICEPEOPLE Stuart Klipper, left at foreground, takes photos of Pyramiden's abandoned housing complexes, which are now sealed off due to concerns about theft, vandalism and hazards. At right, tourists wander freely through the film projection room of the recreation center, the one building still open for tours. Page 8 June 7, 2016

MARK SABBATINI / ICEPEOPLE The swimming pool in Pryamiden, left, is in a building with numerous dark and maze-like passages that are considered too risky for regular large-scale tours. At right, Alexander Romanovskiy examines artwork in Pyramiden's school while being filmed by a crew making a documentary about Svalbard. 'I thought it was much more starving' GHOST, from page 8 ment for a couple of hours – certainly don't studies about settlements where mining has or Mickey Mouse from the 1990s that's a sign of seem to be missing what they don't know about. is ending. "It's still standing. Maybe it's because "the first influences of western culture," a globe The settlement remains a mystique in different of us tourists. Now my view on this is my MARK SABBATINI / ICEPEOPLE where Svalbard has literally been wiped off the ways for different visitors, whether it's the mere thoughts on this topic are much more positive." map by lots of tiny fingers and how children existence of such a large city so far north, how Her brief impressions from the long-ago has to learn the rules of traffic despite the lack it came to be known as the "ideal" of Soviet life mining town are influencing her opinion about of it in the settlement because "when they went in its heyday, the sudden abandoning of the Longyearbyen as it faces a similar future. back to the mainland they had to know the town in a couple of months and its current sta- "My first thought was when coal is gone Russian tourism-"I was skeptical," he said. "Rus- rules," according to Romanovskiy. tus as the world's northernmost ghost town. Longyearbyen is gone," she said. "Now I think sia is a cold country. I was mistaken. Every week But modern visitors – who typically spend "I thought it was much more starving," she it's utopia, so maybe it will be a new era." there is at least one Russian group that comes." five to eight hours on a round-trip boat trip said Nicole Sandt, an architectural student from There's more! Visit www.icepeople.net "I was mis," Every week re iaela one Russian group from Longyearbyen to tour the Russian settle- Brunswick visiting the settlement as part of her for the complete story. tht comes Reopening mines sudents on boat "i was analyzing why they're stills tadning and ???" Nicole Sandt, architectual student from TU Brunswick, student from

Stuart Klipper, , Minn.

So many words... So few that beg for money It costs 15 kroner to print each copy of this fishwrapper, and of course our free maps and paywall-free website help keep up our perfect record of never making a profit out of this thing. If you value it, help keep it wriggling. How to "pay" How to "pay" where where Icepeople is Icepeople is available. available. How to "pay" How to "pay" electronically at electronically at icepeople.net icepeople.net June 7, 2016 Page 9

Volume 1, Issue 11 "Revealing the righteousness of real vs. rendered" svalbarddailyplanet.com

LIFEHACKER NIANTIC Participants in the global multiplayer real/virtual role-playing game Ingress don battle outfits, left, for their struggle against alien invaders. At right, a screenshot from the game shows how about 150 players, including some in Svalbard,worked together to create a large resistance "portal." Westerners to sail into Russian territorial wa- TUESDAY ters on a Russian research ship to investigate radiation exposure from the nuclear test fields Svalbard yet again plays star on Novaya Zemlya and other pollutants along role in fight against aliens the Kola coast, in the eastern Barents Sea and Svalbard is no stranger when it comes to in the Kara Sea," said Salve Dahle of the Nor- aliens invading from another planet, so perhaps wegian company Akvaplan-niva. In return for it's appropriate the archipelago played a key those joint projects during the early 1990s, Rus- role in one of the most elaborate schemes ever sian researchers were invited to conduct a cor- in a real/virtual global battle soaring in popu- HORATIO'S GARDEN responding environmental assessment in Nor- wegian waters around Svalbard, which Dahle larity. Ingress is a role-playing app where par- "Tree Spirit" is one of eight sculptures being said was greatly appreciated. And while the ticipants join teams either welcoming or fight- loaned to a facility established in memory of company's activities have been greatly scaled ing mysterious aliens sending exotic matter to Horatio Chapple, 17, who was killed by a polar back since peaking during that decade, he said Earth via portals like fountains, public build- bear during an expedition in Svalbard. ings and landmarks. To take most actions in he is hoping to revive similar joint projects in den is a charity named after Horatio Chapple, the game, players must physically visit the por- industries such as fishing and energy that bene- SATURDAY 17, who was killed by a polar bear during an tals. More elaborate actions, such as connect- fit both areas. expedition in Svalbard in 2011, that creates and ing portals to build an energy field, require – Sputnik News cares for gardens in NHS spinal injury centers. many players to work together in a coordinated He wanted to be a doctor and volunteered at the fashion. Among the most notable of these was spinal centre in Salisbury before his death. Gar- SATURDAY when about 150 players on the resistance team den designers develop the sanctuaries for pa- worked together to connect portals on three tients and their family and friends. might be ice-free far-flung islands: Svalbard; Failaka Island, off - Horticuture Week Kuwait in the Persian Gulf; and Fuerteventura, this summer, professor says one of Spain’s Canary Islands off Morocco. This summer may finally be the year the – The New York Times SUNDAY North Pole is totally free of ice, according to Peter Wadhams, a professor at Cambridge Uni- Dealing with Russians 'all versity. "Although it is not likely the ice disap- MONDAY about respect and trust' pears completely, it is very likely that there will Vast, enigmatic Russia has scared off many be a year of record-low ice," he said. This Sculptor loans work to garden foreign businessmen, but the rules of the game year's maximum extent of the Arctic ice sheet for Svalbard polar bear victim remain the same: to make dealings fruitful, re- was an all-time low and its size set a new Sculptor Simon Gudgeon is loaning sever- spect is the key, according to a Norwegian en- record low every day in May. Between 1980 al of his pieces to Horatio's Garden in Salis- trepreneur who's worked on cooperative and 2010 the average size of the ice sheet was bury for a summer exhibition. Horatio’s Gar- projects for 25 years. "We were among the first See DAILY, page 10 Page 10 June 7, 2016

JUUL FROST ARCHITECTS A hypothetical resident observers the Northern Lights near expanded and upgraded facilities at The University Centre in Svalbard, as envisioned by Juul Frost Architects, which has summited a design plan for Longyearbyen's future by the 2040 as the community transitions to a post-mining era. DAILY, from page 9 tects. The vision for the town by the year 2040 more than six million square kilometers. This FRIDAY is a settlement with about 2,500 residents that THURSDAY year's cover already appears to be below the places a heavy emphasis on The University record low of 3.4 million square kilometers of Longyearbyen's post-coal era Centre in Svalbard and the affiliated Svalbard ice in 2012, according to Wadhams. The last to feature lots of sidewalks? Research Park, as well as a city center with time the North Pole was free of ice was most A portrait – many of them actually – de- wider pedestrian walkways and a greater vari- likely more than 100,000 years ago. picting Longyearbyen's future as a post-mining ety of storefronts and small kiosks. - Aftenposten town has been completed by Juul Frost Archi- – Bygg Fakta Need the straight scoop on all things Svalbard? Our website offers "one-stop" booking for all lodging, tours and other activities, plus:

Rules, safety tips, history, fun A comprehensive calendar of A subscriber newsletter with all facts, maps, online movies and tours and activities that's media coverage of Svalbard details about major events updated daily during the past week

Visit us at our website or in person at the end of the walking street in the city center going towards Nybyen.

www.visitsvalbard.com • +47 79 02 55 50 • [email protected] June 7, 2016 Page 11 Research-based education of the next generation of Arctic experts The University Centre in Svalbard Photo: Nils Pe ! er Dale

www.unis.no icepeople is seeking an editorial intern The world's coolest alternative newspaper has managed to go from dead to undead during the past few weeks, as our editor and lone reporter has officially been certified as a zombie. And with this fishwrapper expanding from four pages at the beginning of last year to 12 pages – and maybe more – this year, it's haunting to think what he might turn into if he continues to do it all himself. Requirements (hard to believe, but we really are hardcore "old-school" journalism disciples): • Basic news writing and photography skills. • An ability to appear sober while doing interviews. What you get: • Nothing (at least in terms of money, but that could change if we start turning a profit). • A bunch of clips and photos that will definitely get you noticed when you apply for jobs. • Expert (seriously) guidance in the ways of the trade from our maniacal editor, who's been doing this for real all over the world for 30 years. Contact Mark Sabbatini at 4151 4638 or [email protected] if interested. Page 12 June 7, 2016

A day when lots learned the word 'gratulacje' What's up

June 7 6 p.m.: Longyearbyen Youth Club board meeting. Longyearbyen Youth Club. 7 p.m.: Evening Mass and fireplace social. Svalbard Church. 7:30 p.m.: Photo presentation by Eva Grøndal. Longyearbyen Arts and Crafts Center in Nybyen. June 8 Weekly women's tour group outing. Details at tinyurl.com/hdbb8zl. 6 p.m.: Movie: "Me Before You," U.S. MARTIN LANGTEIGEN / LIFE BEYOND THE CIRCLE drama/romance, all ages. Kulturhuset. Runners head into Adventdalen, above, June 10 during the annual Spitsbergen Marathon on Longyear Day, marking 110-year Saturday. At right, runners begin the 42- anniversary of town's founding. Free kilometer course in the Svalbardhallen admission to Svalbard Museum and parking lot. At bottom, Piotr Suchenia of Poland crosses the finish line to win the full- Galleri Svalbard, giveaway of 400 DVDs length race in two hours, 54 minutes and 10 at Longyearbyen Library starting at 11 seconds, well ahead of Carl Behre who a.m., historic tour of Longyearbyen from finished in 3:18:24. Skjæringa to Huset. at 5:30 p.m., book presentation about history of MARK SABBATINI / ICEPEOPLE Longyearbyen School at 7 p.m. at Huset, concert by local musicians at 8 p.m. at Huset. June 11 8 p.m.: Concert by the Store Norske Men's Choir. Svalbard Brewery. June 12 11 a.m.: Family Mass w/ music by Polargospel. Svalbard Church. 7:30 p.m.: Concert by Ukrainian violinist Violinist Diana Tishchenko and Bergen pianist Pianist Joachim Carr performing the works of Grieg, Ravel and Franck.

SPITSBERGEN MARATHON Kulturhuset. June 14 7 p.m.: Evening Mass and fireplace social. Svalbard Church. June 15 Weekly women's tour group outing. Details at tinyurl.com/hdbb8zl. 6 p.m.: Movie: "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2" (3D), U.S. action, ages 9 and up. Kuturhuset.

What's online "!is book does not only cover comprehensive THE complete guidebook information concerning all Icepeople.net provides daily updates of "elds of possible interest, news about Svalbard and the world's but is at the same time a by the complete guide photo book containing polar regions, plus extras for articles from many color images to the print edition. Among the latest news: illustrate many wildlife and #ower species and to ● Arctic ice at new lows every day in May document landscapes and places from all over the ● Temperatures in Antarctica drop to -106F archipelago." - Reader review ● 87K NASA images show greening Arctic Sailing Voyages • Books • Photography • DVDs • Polar News And Information ● Arctic tern makes record 96,000K flight