Swedish photographer and content creator Cecilia Blomdahl has captured the unique beauty and challenges of life on the remote Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard in her new photobook, “Life on Svalbard.” Living in Longyearbyen since 2015, Blomdahl documents her everyday experiences in the Arctic, sharing them with millions of followers on social media. Known for its breathtaking landscapes, Svalbard also demands resilience from its residents. The extreme climate includes polar nights of continuous darkness, midnight suns without nightfall, and temperatures plummeting below -30°C, requiring residents to carry polar bear protection gear.
Blomdahl and other Svalbard residents carry polar bear protection gear. Cecilia Blomdahl
Despite these challenges, Blomdahl finds peace in Svalbard’s isolation and natural beauty, describing it as “infatuating.” Her love for the Arctic has made her a committed ambassador, as she balances daily life with climate awareness, including how the archipelago is warming six times faster than the global average. Svalbardians, Blomdahl notes, remain resilient and adaptive despite climate challenges, maintaining a high quality of life.
With her work, Blomdahl hopes to reveal Svalbard’s raw, untamed beauty to the world, showing not only the Arctic’s appeal but also the impact of climate change on this fragile environment.
