2019格陵兰国庆节 Greenland National Day 2019

by Mingming Shi, OtC  起源 6月21日是 Inuiattut Ullorsiorneq,即格陵兰国庆节。格陵兰岛,地处北美板块,是世界上第一大岛屿,在1721年成为丹麦王国的殖民地,1953年正式结束殖民历史,成为王国的一部分,目前是丹麦的海外自治地。 虽然格陵兰尚未从丹麦王国独立出去,但是已经拥有自己的国旗、国歌和国庆节。1979年,Home Rule Act 生效,格陵兰人民获得更大自治权,1983年设立国庆节,定为每年的6月21日。有趣的是,这一天也刚好是夏至日,是一年中北半球日照最长的日子。 2019年看点 国庆当天,全岛各个城镇和定居点均举办庆祝活动。在首府努克,虽然早间下着蒙蒙细雨,但依然没有阻挡居民们的热情。人们身着彩色鲜艳的格陵兰传统服饰,在港口聚集,参加庆典仪式。除了奏乐、升旗、鸣礼炮、游行等项目外,最具当地特色的莫过于猎海豹比赛。一众船只在港口集合,出发猎取海豹,最快收获并返回者胜出。当天也有皮划艇表演和适合一家大小参与的娱乐活动。 除格陵兰本土外,海外庆祝活动也十分丰富。 在丹麦,有一万多格陵兰人居住在不同城市。哥本哈根、奥尔堡等地举行了大大小小的庆祝仪式。位于哥本哈根的格陵兰之家 (Det Grønlandske Hus-Kalaallit Illuutaat) 举办招待会,介绍格陵兰历史、文化、饮食等,气氛非常热闹。 2018年10月,格陵兰在冰岛首都雷克雅未克设立代表处,以加强格陵兰和冰岛的合作沟通,这是格陵兰在海外的第4个代表处,也是除了丹麦以外的北欧地区第一个代表处。冰岛曾经是丹麦王国的殖民地,1944年获得完全独立,将每年6月17日定为国庆节,以纪念19世纪为冰岛独立运动作出卓著贡献的 Jón Sigurðsson。今年格陵兰驻冰岛代表处也选择在这一天举办音乐招待会。 2019年恰好是格陵兰 Self Rule Act 生效的十周年,自2009年起,格陵兰自治政府 Naalakkersuisut 成立,进一步获得自治权、居民受教育程度、经济表现等方面有所进步,且为解决高自杀率、贫困、针对妇女儿童的暴力等社会问题而努力。 最后,格陵兰国庆节快乐,Ullorsiornitsinni pilluaritsi! Mikkel Møller Schøler 对本文格陵兰语翻译亦有贡献,在此表示感谢。 The National Day of Greenland, (Inuiattut Ullorsiorneq in Greenlandic), was introduced in 1983, four years after the Home… Continue reading 2019格陵兰国庆节 Greenland National Day 2019

New Article: ‘European Troubles and Norway’s Three-Point Game’

As part of the tenth anniversary of the Canadian international affairs magazine Global Brief, the decennial issue includes a new article by OtC editor Marc Lanteigne on the challenges facing Norwegian foreign policy, including in Arctic affairs. In the piece, the Arctic is examined along with Russia and the European Union in the current chaos… Continue reading New Article: ‘European Troubles and Norway’s Three-Point Game’

New Article: ‘A Cold Arena? Greenland as a Focus of Arctic Competition’

Although a Chinese firm was unsuccessful in its bid for a contract to expand airports in Greenland, it is unlikely that China will be losing interest in developing economic partnerships with the island at any time soon. Mining joint ventures in Greenland, including at Kvanefjeld, continue to take shape, for example. However, Beijing's economic diplomacy… Continue reading New Article: ‘A Cold Arena? Greenland as a Focus of Arctic Competition’

Rare Earth Elements: A Northern Treasure Chest?

by Marc Lanteigne This month, another front in the widening ‘trade war’ between China and the United States was threatening to open over the possibility of exports of rare earth elements (REEs) being subject to an embargo by Chinese authorities. The potential effects on many current and emerging high technologies, including environmental (or ‘green’) technology applications, could… Continue reading Rare Earth Elements: A Northern Treasure Chest?