Polar Evening at the Ishavsmuseet October 16: The Fox Hunters on Jan Mayen

The year is 1926. 11 men are isolated on a deserted island between everything and nothing. Jan Mayen, the volcanic island in the Arctic Ocean, has just been declared Norwegian territory. Under the towering volcanic mountain Beerenberg, they must survive the winter in cramped, small hunting huts. The goal is to become rich by catching foxes. We follow the men through disappointments, arguments and joy. In the darkness of December, the black tanks come. Soon one of them must escape over the mountain to avoid being knocked unconscious. They get into a fight over the hunting rights and destroy each other's traps.

Finally, Hank, the cowboy from Baltimore, pulls out a Colt .38, ready to kill.
It was the company Polarfront Companys with the three Ulsteiners Nils Garnes, Andreas Haakonsholm and Karl Brevik who were to hunt foxes on the Arctic island this winter. They also brought with them the American Henry Joesting. The company was founded by the Norwegians Hagbart Ekerold and Per Løvfald in Canada, to hunt foxes in the Arctic. This was to be the only expedition the company equipped.

Everyone arrived on the ship "Polarfront" with Oluf Saunes from Ulsteinvik as skipper and three others from the same village as crew.

Besides this team, there were two other "teams": the Meteorologists and three men who came without anyone knowing about them. One of the three, August Hansen, was also with those who traveled to Greenland the following year.

The experienced journalist and author Ole M. Ellefsen came across a treasure trove in the form of several diaries written by trappers who wintered on Jan Mayen. Ole M. Ellefsen has, among other things, written several books with maritime themes. Using diary notes and historical research, he has now written the book The Fox Hunters on Jan Mayen. Now he comes to the Ishavsmuseet to give us an insight into how the difficult everyday life unfolded for these unfortunate men through the winter darkness. Ellefsen is currently the director of Aalesunds Museum.

The Polar Evening at the Ishavsmuseet this day will also be a book launch of this exciting story from Jan Mayen, with local interest. There will be an opportunity to secure the book after the lecture. In addition to the lecture by Ole M. Ellefsen, there will also be musical performances by Leiv Arne Nydal, Ingfrid Grimstad and Ronald Øvrelid. All talented local musicians who should be familiar to most people. And in familiar style, there will also be a chat break with strong coffee served in true Arctic style, and cakes.