Winner: Climate
Lukas Kreibig
Germany
Special Interest Category Winner: Climate
Special Interest Category Winner: Climate
Special Interest Category Winner: Climate
Lukas Kreibig
Lukas Kreibig
Lukas Kreibig
Germany
Germany
Germany
Series: Heart of a Seal
Series: Heart of a Seal
Series: Heart of a Seal
Once I saw the first glimpses of the mountain that Uummannaq, Greenland, an island town off the countryís western coast, centers around, I was instantly drawn to the beauty and rawness of this remote place. The Arctic island has in the past 50 years quickly developed itself and is going from a traditional community of fishermen and hunters to a modern society. I wanted to understand and document how life looks and feels like in a community with such a harsh climate and long traditions.
In the autumn 2017, I began my photographic exploration and continued in February 2018, where I also witnessed the warmest winter on record in the Arctic. Unfortunately, the effects from global warming on this coastal town were apparent, with instances like the sea ice melting too early.
For countless generations, the Inuit who reside here have relied on their natural surroundings to survive. The purpose of this project is to show how the Inuit culture intersects with the townís present day conditions and to pose the question of how long the areaís traditions will remain in contrast with its changing circumstances.
The fragile eco-system of the sea ice is endangered through global warming. The arctic continuous to melt with each passing minute. The average temperature in the arctic has increased about almost 4 degrees since the beginning of the 20th century and forecasts are grim. Nobody knows how long it’s possible to still walk over it in winter.
The fragile eco-system of the sea ice is endangered through global warming. The arctic continuous to melt with each passing minute. The average temperature in the arctic has increased about almost 4 degrees since the beginning of the 20th century and forecasts are grim. Nobody knows how long it’s possible to still walk over it in winter.
The fragile eco-system of the sea ice is endangered through global warming. The arctic continuous to melt with each passing minute. The average temperature in the arctic has increased about almost 4 degrees since the beginning of the 20th century and forecasts are grim. Nobody knows how long it’s possible to still walk over it in winter.
The fragile eco-system of the sea ice is endangered through global warming. The arctic continuous to melt with each passing minute. The average temperature in the arctic has increased about almost 4 degrees since the beginning of the 20th century and forecasts are grim. Nobody knows how long it’s possible to still walk over it in winter.
Uummannaq means a heart-shaped mountain. In this case, itës not a human heart the Inuit talk aboutóitës the heart of a seal. At the foot of this mountain, 590 km≤ north of the Polar Circle in western Greenland, lies a town with the same name: Uummannaq. A remote island inhabited by 1325 individuals, the village is connected only by ships and a helicopter to the outside world.
Uummannaq means a heart-shaped mountain. In this case, itës not a human heart the Inuit talk aboutóitës the heart of a seal. At the foot of this mountain, 590 km≤ north of the Polar Circle in western Greenland, lies a town with the same name: Uummannaq. A remote island inhabited by 1325 individuals, the village is connected only by ships and a helicopter to the outside world.
Uummannaq means a heart-shaped mountain. In this case, itës not a human heart the Inuit talk aboutóitës the heart of a seal. At the foot of this mountain, 590 km≤ north of the Polar Circle in western Greenland, lies a town with the same name: Uummannaq. A remote island inhabited by 1325 individuals, the village is connected only by ships and a helicopter to the outside world.
Uummannaq means a heart-shaped mountain. In this case, itës not a human heart the Inuit talk aboutóitës the heart of a seal. At the foot of this mountain, 590 km≤ north of the Polar Circle in western Greenland, lies a town with the same name: Uummannaq. A remote island inhabited by 1325 individuals, the village is connected only by ships and a helicopter to the outside world.
After Simion shoots a seal, he fixates it with a hook and allows it to bleed out into the ocean. Seal hunting is an endangered tradition because seal fur is no longer popular within the country or for exportation.
After Simion shoots a seal, he fixates it with a hook and allows it to bleed out into the ocean. Seal hunting is an endangered tradition because seal fur is no longer popular within the country or for exportation.
After Simion shoots a seal, he fixates it with a hook and allows it to bleed out into the ocean. Seal hunting is an endangered tradition because seal fur is no longer popular within the country or for exportation.
After Simion shoots a seal, he fixates it with a hook and allows it to bleed out into the ocean. Seal hunting is an endangered tradition because seal fur is no longer popular within the country or for exportation.
Individuals from the childrenís home in a more modern version of traditional clothing sit in front of a portrait of Knud Rasmussen (painting left) and his travel companions (painting mid and right). Knud Rasmussen was a famous adventurer and is a national hero of Greenland. Children from all over Greenland come to the northernmost childrenís home in the world. Nearly half of the Greenlandic population has been exposed to violence, the highest amount against children and teens.
Individuals from the childrenís home in a more modern version of traditional clothing sit in front of a portrait of Knud Rasmussen (painting left) and his travel companions (painting mid and right). Knud Rasmussen was a famous adventurer and is a national hero of Greenland. Children from all over Greenland come to the northernmost childrenís home in the world. Nearly half of the Greenlandic population has been exposed to violence, the highest amount against children and teens.
Individuals from the childrenís home in a more modern version of traditional clothing sit in front of a portrait of Knud Rasmussen (painting left) and his travel companions (painting mid and right). Knud Rasmussen was a famous adventurer and is a national hero of Greenland. Children from all over Greenland come to the northernmost childrenís home in the world. Nearly half of the Greenlandic population has been exposed to violence, the highest amount against children and teens.
Individuals from the childrenís home in a more modern version of traditional clothing sit in front of a portrait of Knud Rasmussen (painting left) and his travel companions (painting mid and right). Knud Rasmussen was a famous adventurer and is a national hero of Greenland. Children from all over Greenland come to the northernmost childrenís home in the world. Nearly half of the Greenlandic population has been exposed to violence, the highest amount against children and teens.
Martin plays on his phone. He is one of the young individuals of the childrenís home in Uummannaq. Children from all over Greenland come to the northernmost childrenís home in the world. Many of those who live in the facility come as a direct result of alcohol abuse, domestic violence, and the country having the highest rate of suicide in the world.
Martin plays on his phone. He is one of the young individuals of the childrenís home in Uummannaq. Children from all over Greenland come to the northernmost childrenís home in the world. Many of those who live in the facility come as a direct result of alcohol abuse, domestic violence, and the country having the highest rate of suicide in the world.
Martin plays on his phone. He is one of the young individuals of the childrenís home in Uummannaq. Children from all over Greenland come to the northernmost childrenís home in the world. Many of those who live in the facility come as a direct result of alcohol abuse, domestic violence, and the country having the highest rate of suicide in the world.
Martin plays on his phone. He is one of the young individuals of the childrenís home in Uummannaq. Children from all over Greenland come to the northernmost childrenís home in the world. Many of those who live in the facility come as a direct result of alcohol abuse, domestic violence, and the country having the highest rate of suicide in the world.
Heavy snowstorms are common in Uummannaq, sometimes lasting for days. The weather here changes very quickly, making it hard to predict. Fishermen say in the last years it has become even more difficult. These cold winds can become dangerous in some situations, especially when the human body is not able to produce heat as fast as the cold wind chills.
Heavy snowstorms are common in Uummannaq, sometimes lasting for days. The weather here changes very quickly, making it hard to predict. Fishermen say in the last years it has become even more difficult. These cold winds can become dangerous in some situations, especially when the human body is not able to produce heat as fast as the cold wind chills.
Heavy snowstorms are common in Uummannaq, sometimes lasting for days. The weather here changes very quickly, making it hard to predict. Fishermen say in the last years it has become even more difficult. These cold winds can become dangerous in some situations, especially when the human body is not able to produce heat as fast as the cold wind chills.
Heavy snowstorms are common in Uummannaq, sometimes lasting for days. The weather here changes very quickly, making it hard to predict. Fishermen say in the last years it has become even more difficult. These cold winds can become dangerous in some situations, especially when the human body is not able to produce heat as fast as the cold wind chills.
The Greenlandic priest of the Lutheran Church of Greenland in Uummannaq walks toward his chapel on the First Advent. He is one of the only confidants who the townís population can rely on. Greenland now has one of the highest rates of suicide in the world while witnessing a lot of problems due to excessive alcohol abuse.
The Greenlandic priest of the Lutheran Church of Greenland in Uummannaq walks toward his chapel on the First Advent. He is one of the only confidants who the townís population can rely on. Greenland now has one of the highest rates of suicide in the world while witnessing a lot of problems due to excessive alcohol abuse.
The Greenlandic priest of the Lutheran Church of Greenland in Uummannaq walks toward his chapel on the First Advent. He is one of the only confidants who the townís population can rely on. Greenland now has one of the highest rates of suicide in the world while witnessing a lot of problems due to excessive alcohol abuse.
The Greenlandic priest of the Lutheran Church of Greenland in Uummannaq walks toward his chapel on the First Advent. He is one of the only confidants who the townís population can rely on. Greenland now has one of the highest rates of suicide in the world while witnessing a lot of problems due to excessive alcohol abuse.
The Greenlandic priest of the Lutheran Church of Greenland in Uummannaq walks toward his chapel on the First Advent. He is one of the only confidants who the townís population can rely on. Greenland now has one of the highest rates of suicide in the world while witnessing a lot of problems due to excessive alcohol abuse.
The arctic continuous to melt with each passing minute through global warming. The average temperature in the arctic has increased about almost 4 degrees since the beginning of the 20th century.
The arctic continuous to melt with each passing minute through global warming. The average temperature in the arctic has increased about almost 4 degrees since the beginning of the 20th century.
The arctic continuous to melt with each passing minute through global warming. The average temperature in the arctic has increased about almost 4 degrees since the beginning of the 20th century.
The arctic continuous to melt with each passing minute through global warming. The average temperature in the arctic has increased about almost 4 degrees since the beginning of the 20th century.
The arctic continuous to melt with each passing minute through global warming. The average temperature in the arctic has increased about almost 4 degrees since the beginning of the 20th century.
Dogs can be seen in almost every corner of Uummannaq. After they reach six months old, these dogs need to be chained. Before this age, they wander around the town, exploring and fighting with each other. Scenes like this are rare, as most of the people treat and see their dogs as a working animal.
Dogs can be seen in almost every corner of Uummannaq. After they reach six months old, these dogs need to be chained. Before this age, they wander around the town, exploring and fighting with each other. Scenes like this are rare, as most of the people treat and see their dogs as a working animal.
Dogs can be seen in almost every corner of Uummannaq. After they reach six months old, these dogs need to be chained. Before this age, they wander around the town, exploring and fighting with each other. Scenes like this are rare, as most of the people treat and see their dogs as a working animal.
Dogs can be seen in almost every corner of Uummannaq. After they reach six months old, these dogs need to be chained. Before this age, they wander around the town, exploring and fighting with each other. Scenes like this are rare, as most of the people treat and see their dogs as a working animal.
Dogs can be seen in almost every corner of Uummannaq. After they reach six months old, these dogs need to be chained. Before this age, they wander around the town, exploring and fighting with each other. Scenes like this are rare, as most of the people treat and see their dogs as a working animal.
In the evening Uummannaq’s firefighters practice during a rescue training on a frozen lake with the Aurora Borealis in the background.
In the evening Uummannaq’s firefighters practice during a rescue training on a frozen lake with the Aurora Borealis in the background.
In the evening Uummannaq’s firefighters practice during a rescue training on a frozen lake with the Aurora Borealis in the background.
In the evening Uummannaq’s firefighters practice during a rescue training on a frozen lake with the Aurora Borealis in the background.
Jens is both a part-time hospital nurse and priest in one of the three churches of Uummannaq. All citizens in Uummannaq are eligible for free healthcare, as Greenland is still a part of Danish territory and the Danish health care system.
Jens is both a part-time hospital nurse and priest in one of the three churches of Uummannaq. All citizens in Uummannaq are eligible for free healthcare, as Greenland is still a part of Danish territory and the Danish health care system.
Jens is both a part-time hospital nurse and priest in one of the three churches of Uummannaq. All citizens in Uummannaq are eligible for free healthcare, as Greenland is still a part of Danish territory and the Danish health care system.
Jens is both a part-time hospital nurse and priest in one of the three churches of Uummannaq. All citizens in Uummannaq are eligible for free healthcare, as Greenland is still a part of Danish territory and the Danish health care system.
A drum dancing musician plays on a drum (qilaat) made from an oval wooden frame covered with the bladder of a polar bear. It was used for exorcism, witchcraft but also entertainment. After the missionaries arrived, drum dancing was prohibited for a long time.
A drum dancing musician plays on a drum (qilaat) made from an oval wooden frame covered with the bladder of a polar bear. It was used for exorcism, witchcraft but also entertainment. After the missionaries arrived, drum dancing was prohibited for a long time.
A drum dancing musician plays on a drum (qilaat) made from an oval wooden frame covered with the bladder of a polar bear. It was used for exorcism, witchcraft but also entertainment. After the missionaries arrived, drum dancing was prohibited for a long time.
A drum dancing musician plays on a drum (qilaat) made from an oval wooden frame covered with the bladder of a polar bear. It was used for exorcism, witchcraft but also entertainment. After the missionaries arrived, drum dancing was prohibited for a long time.
The head of a narwhale served in a bucket after a baptism in a home Uummannaq. The skin of the head and the tail of the narwhale are a delicacy in Greenland and people buy them directly from the fisherman who turn for a short period of time into narwhale hunters during narwhale season in late autumn.
The head of a narwhale served in a bucket after a baptism in a home Uummannaq. The skin of the head and the tail of the narwhale are a delicacy in Greenland and people buy them directly from the fisherman who turn for a short period of time into narwhale hunters during narwhale season in late autumn.
The head of a narwhale served in a bucket after a baptism in a home Uummannaq. The skin of the head and the tail of the narwhale are a delicacy in Greenland and people buy them directly from the fisherman who turn for a short period of time into narwhale hunters during narwhale season in late autumn.
The head of a narwhale served in a bucket after a baptism in a home Uummannaq. The skin of the head and the tail of the narwhale are a delicacy in Greenland and people buy them directly from the fisherman who turn for a short period of time into narwhale hunters during narwhale season in late autumn.
A man drinks during a kaffemik in a house after a baptism of a child. All kinds of seafood, cakes and coffee are served during a kaffemik in a house in Uummannaq after a baptism. This tradition helps to strengthen the community spirit of the town. There is almost every day an opportunity for a kaffemik.
A man drinks during a kaffemik in a house after a baptism of a child. All kinds of seafood, cakes and coffee are served during a kaffemik in a house in Uummannaq after a baptism. This tradition helps to strengthen the community spirit of the town. There is almost every day an opportunity for a kaffemik.
A man drinks during a kaffemik in a house after a baptism of a child. All kinds of seafood, cakes and coffee are served during a kaffemik in a house in Uummannaq after a baptism. This tradition helps to strengthen the community spirit of the town. There is almost every day an opportunity for a kaffemik.
A man drinks during a kaffemik in a house after a baptism of a child. All kinds of seafood, cakes and coffee are served during a kaffemik in a house in Uummannaq after a baptism. This tradition helps to strengthen the community spirit of the town. There is almost every day an opportunity for a kaffemik.
Chained to the ground, two Greenland Dogs live outside through the harshest conditions, waiting all year for the sledding season. With modern conveniences in hunting and transportation, like snowmobiles and the sea ice coming later because of climate change, many people have decided to use the dogs less and less, diminishing their purpose in life.
Chained to the ground, two Greenland Dogs live outside through the harshest conditions, waiting all year for the sledding season. With modern conveniences in hunting and transportation, like snowmobiles and the sea ice coming later because of climate change, many people have decided to use the dogs less and less, diminishing their purpose in life.
Chained to the ground, two Greenland Dogs live outside through the harshest conditions, waiting all year for the sledding season. With modern conveniences in hunting and transportation, like snowmobiles and the sea ice coming later because of climate change, many people have decided to use the dogs less and less, diminishing their purpose in life.
Chained to the ground, two Greenland Dogs live outside through the harshest conditions, waiting all year for the sledding season. With modern conveniences in hunting and transportation, like snowmobiles and the sea ice coming later because of climate change, many people have decided to use the dogs less and less, diminishing their purpose in life.
The extreme weather is hard on everything that grows—plants can’t survive this climate.
The extreme weather is hard on everything that grows—plants can’t survive this climate.
The extreme weather is hard on everything that grows—plants can’t survive this climate.
The extreme weather is hard on everything that grows—plants can’t survive this climate.
A young boy is walking through a winter landscape in one of the abandoned settlements around Uummannaq which is now used by the Uummannaq children’s home to get kids away from daily routines or bad habits like smoking for some weeks. Greenland’s remote landscape can be stunning and beautiful.
A young boy is walking through a winter landscape in one of the abandoned settlements around Uummannaq which is now used by the Uummannaq children’s home to get kids away from daily routines or bad habits like smoking for some weeks. Greenland’s remote landscape can be stunning and beautiful.
A young boy is walking through a winter landscape in one of the abandoned settlements around Uummannaq which is now used by the Uummannaq children’s home to get kids away from daily routines or bad habits like smoking for some weeks. Greenland’s remote landscape can be stunning and beautiful.
A young boy is walking through a winter landscape in one of the abandoned settlements around Uummannaq which is now used by the Uummannaq children’s home to get kids away from daily routines or bad habits like smoking for some weeks. Greenland’s remote landscape can be stunning and beautiful.
A fisherman catches halibut on the sea ice in temperatures as low as -30 degrees Celsius in February, as seagulls await the fish leftovers. Warmer currents and sea temperature brought more fish to Uummannaq, but bigger boats which are used in summer, brought fishing quotas to the town because of overfishing. Long fishing lines with 200 baited hooks attached at the end, are used by the professional fishermen. These lines reach 500 meters to touch the ocean ground, where the halibut reside.
A fisherman catches halibut on the sea ice in temperatures as low as -30 degrees Celsius in February, as seagulls await the fish leftovers. Warmer currents and sea temperature brought more fish to Uummannaq, but bigger boats which are used in summer, brought fishing quotas to the town because of overfishing. Long fishing lines with 200 baited hooks attached at the end, are used by the professional fishermen. These lines reach 500 meters to touch the ocean ground, where the halibut reside.
A fisherman catches halibut on the sea ice in temperatures as low as -30 degrees Celsius in February, as seagulls await the fish leftovers. Warmer currents and sea temperature brought more fish to Uummannaq, but bigger boats which are used in summer, brought fishing quotas to the town because of overfishing. Long fishing lines with 200 baited hooks attached at the end, are used by the professional fishermen. These lines reach 500 meters to touch the ocean ground, where the halibut reside.
A fisherman catches halibut on the sea ice in temperatures as low as -30 degrees Celsius in February, as seagulls await the fish leftovers. Warmer currents and sea temperature brought more fish to Uummannaq, but bigger boats which are used in summer, brought fishing quotas to the town because of overfishing. Long fishing lines with 200 baited hooks attached at the end, are used by the professional fishermen. These lines reach 500 meters to touch the ocean ground, where the halibut reside.
Qisunnguaq is wearing a seal skin Anorak. The Greenlandic People rarely dress in the traditional clothing nowadays. It is difficult to predict wether how long those traditions will survive in the modern world.
Qisunnguaq is wearing a seal skin Anorak. The Greenlandic People rarely dress in the traditional clothing nowadays. It is difficult to predict wether how long those traditions will survive in the modern world.
Qisunnguaq is wearing a seal skin Anorak. The Greenlandic People rarely dress in the traditional clothing nowadays. It is difficult to predict wether how long those traditions will survive in the modern world.
Qisunnguaq is wearing a seal skin Anorak. The Greenlandic People rarely dress in the traditional clothing nowadays. It is difficult to predict wether how long those traditions will survive in the modern world.
Normally in late spring or early winter, the temperature of the sea around Uummannaq drops below zero and the ice slowly starts to freeze. This connects Uummannaq to the surrounding settlements and the mainland, which is reachable by snow scooter or dog sled. In 2018, the sea around Uummannaq was frozen only in mid-February, alarmingly late compared to the years before. In March 2018, the arctic was hit by the warmest temperatures ever recorded during that time of the year. Since the sea ice almost melted in the first week of March, the police tried to close the access to it as it became unsafe to go inside.
Normally in late spring or early winter, the temperature of the sea around Uummannaq drops below zero and the ice slowly starts to freeze. This connects Uummannaq to the surrounding settlements and the mainland, which is reachable by snow scooter or dog sled. In 2018, the sea around Uummannaq was frozen only in mid-February, alarmingly late compared to the years before. In March 2018, the arctic was hit by the warmest temperatures ever recorded during that time of the year. Since the sea ice almost melted in the first week of March, the police tried to close the access to it as it became unsafe to go inside.
Normally in late spring or early winter, the temperature of the sea around Uummannaq drops below zero and the ice slowly starts to freeze. This connects Uummannaq to the surrounding settlements and the mainland, which is reachable by snow scooter or dog sled. In 2018, the sea around Uummannaq was frozen only in mid-February, alarmingly late compared to the years before. In March 2018, the arctic was hit by the warmest temperatures ever recorded during that time of the year. Since the sea ice almost melted in the first week of March, the police tried to close the access to it as it became unsafe to go inside.
Normally in late spring or early winter, the temperature of the sea around Uummannaq drops below zero and the ice slowly starts to freeze. This connects Uummannaq to the surrounding settlements and the mainland, which is reachable by snow scooter or dog sled. In 2018, the sea around Uummannaq was frozen only in mid-February, alarmingly late compared to the years before. In March 2018, the arctic was hit by the warmest temperatures ever recorded during that time of the year. Since the sea ice almost melted in the first week of March, the police tried to close the access to it as it became unsafe to go inside.
