far north

Home again from my trip up north this weekend. To Luleå, the northern city where I grew up, and Kalix, where my mother now lives. First touch of winter, first thin snowflakes and a surprising darkness; night comes early being that far north.

In Luleå, artists are good at fighting darkness. An international Winter Art Biennial is organized by a group of artists, Kilen, making amazing use of snow and ice. They travel the arctic world themselves, to take part in snow sculpture events.

I'm glad this old crane is still standing on the pier. A childhood landmark to me, in a city where most old buildings are torn down, without sentimentality.