Santa lives behind the Zeppelin Mountain, where the cranberries also grow…

With the help of my siblings, I shall try to give an insight into the Christmas celebrations in "the little town beneath the glacier" when Ny-Ålesund was a family community. The memories they're sharing with me are marked by solemnity, warmth, security and unity.

The smell of forest

The night before Christmas Eve was deliciously sweet and good with the production of homemade marzipan! There were scalds of almonds that were ground and kneaded together with powdered sugar and egg whites into great works of art! Especially after licking our fingers thoroughly.
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Christmas morning: Pappa was at work, and when he came home he decorated the tree and mom dressed us. The tree was a whole little scientific work for dad. Although Svalbard was his paradise because of his interest in outdoor life and fondness of the freedom the area offered, the symbolic green color and smell of the forest that came to us with the Christmas tree are also important memories of our parents.