Arktisk Grenseland — Emile Holba

As a younger self, captivated by stories about the Arctic in National Geographic, I was particularly drawn to its remoteness, challenging weather, rapid seasonal changes, and mysterious sunlight. One area that seemed particularly distant from my teenage years in Stevenage was the Barents Sea. During the Tsarist era, its currents facilitated prosperous trading routes between Tsarist Russia and Western countries. However, during the Cold War, it transformed into a perfect propaganda tool and strategic military playground.

A generation later, with many dreams fulfilled, I found myself chronicling the captivating landscape of Varanger. This place feels discreetly separate from our increasingly fragmented world, comfortably situated above the 70th parallel north.

Unlike the tourist-flooded fjords and over-Instagrammed waterfalls of other regions, Varanger is a quiet and peaceful peninsula located at the far eastern end of Finnmark fylke in Northern Norway. It shares borders with Finland and Russia, offering a sparsely populated and expansive area of wild terrain encircled by chilly waters. Ancient rock strata and resilient flora support resourceful, modern-day communities who proudly embrace their local heritage and confident citizenship, striking a seemingly ideal work-life balance.

Spanning four distinct seasons, this gallery offers a glimpse into a rugged yet tranquil existence. Arktisk Grenseland is available as Field Notes 015 at Another Place Press.