In winter, Sweden’s Lapland, situated at the Polar Circle, seems to be a
frozen, lifeless mass and yet life does indeed exist in this extraordinary
winter wonderland. The high north is fascinating, yet dangerous and here at
the most extreme edge of civilisation, both Man and wildlife have adapted to the
cold.
Jürg lives with his huskies, sledge dogs that, even today, are essential even
with the introduction of motorised vehicles. Here they are certainly Man’s
best friend.
In Lapland very cold polar, and relatively warm temperate weather conditions,
overlap. The result, very changeable weather. Here, anything is
possible. One minute the sun shines and the next it suddenly becomes dark
and a snowstorm makes it impossible to see anything and only the husky is able
to find its way in these conditions.
Jürg wants to learn more about the Sami Tribe and walks through a snow
covered forest to a small Sami settlement. Lotta awaits him in front of her
lavvu, a circular tent that resembles an Indian tepee. After a hearty
welcome the representative of this tribe lets him into her kota. Inside it
is warm and comfortable and Lotta and her three grand children sit around an
open fire. Coffee is boiling and a meal is being prepared in a large
pan. Then she serves the Sami’s national dish of fried potatoes, low bush
cranberry yogurt sauce and reindeer meat cut into strips. A tasty mix!
The endless beauty and remoteness of the high north has always fascinated and
attracted those in search of adventure. But for the people in Sweden’s
Lapland, the husky is essential for their very survival.