Polar evening at the Ishavsmuseet September 26th at 7:00 PM Bjørn Fredriksen with film from Jan Mayen at the Ishavsmuseet
When I arrived in Walrus Bay in June 1968, I really wondered what I had gotten myself into.
One year contract in this wasteland!?
But after a short time, this view changed completely. Jan Mayen's nature is wild and unapproachable. Black, sharp lava formations rise towards the sky. Not a bush or a tree to provide shelter. A thin layer of moss gives a greenish tint to the hills where the moss has managed to cling to. In winter, the storms try by all means to blow all "intruders" out to sea. But on those days when the clouds are not at ground level, or the fog is thick as soup, or the snowdrift prevents you from seeing the fingers of an outstretched arm, it is indescribable.
Seeing Beerenberg stretch its mighty volcanic crater to a height of 2277 m, while the sun reflects the light from snow-white glaciers, it cannot be described. It must be experienced.
These are Bjørn Fredriksen's words about Jan Mayen.
Bjørn Fredriksen is the leader of the Jan Mayen Arctic Society. He was on Jan Mayen for 13 months in 1968 – 1969 as a technician at the Loran C station.
During these months, he took several thousand meters of super 8mm film as well as a lot of photos.
In 2003, he began working on digitizing his films. That's when the idea came to try to make a historical documentary from JM.
Now, after 11 years, it has been proven that it is possible. Over 70 contributors have lent photos, film and video from the island. These are private and public institutions and museums, veterans from JM and relatives of those who have passed away.
For over 2 years, Fredriksen worked with people from the National Library in Oslo, stitching together the film pieces. The last roll of film was digitized in March last year. He has now created a complete film documentation of the construction of the station from the first shovel in 1958. This includes the production of station modules at Widerøe on Høland and the loading of "Polarbjørn" in Sandvika outside Oslo. Loading of "Polarhav" in Bodø. Crossing to Jan Mayen and unloading in Båtvika.
He also brings short recordings from the establishment of the weather forecasting system in 1921, through the war years and up to 1958 when LORAN was established.
Fredriksen was well acquainted with Bjarne Brandal, founder of the Ishavsmuseet Friends Association, and through him he received many good stories about Brandal and the Ishavsmuseet. Fredriksen says that he has wanted to visit the museum at Brandal for a number of years and is very happy to come there to show his unique historical films.
After many requests, the menu in the café after the lecture this time once again consists of salted meat, pork and pea soup. In other words, the Arctic Ocean's feast table.
Registration at the museum for dinner.
