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Soapstone art in Greenland

Soapstone is a beautiful and malleable material and has been used for centuries for tools and artistic carvings.

AN EASILY WORKABLE STONE

In former times soapstone was primarily used in articles for everyday use, such as fishing tackle, soapstone lamps and various domestic utensils such as mess tins and other containers.

Since that time, however, Greenlandic artists have become aware of the accommodating stone with its attractive and varied nuances.

Today each soapstone artist has his own style and personal expression and the stone is inspiring an increasing number of young artists to develop their own techniques.

SOAPSTONE AS APPLIED ART AND TUPILAKS

Soapstone can be worked into reliefs, flat and reclining figures, jewellery, applied art and tupilaks.

In fact it can also be used in the visual arts if the artist polishes one side of the stone to a glossy black surface, and cuts light motifs into this surface. A number of artists mix different types of pastel-coloured soapstone and thereby end up with a completely new expression.

Soapstone figures can be exported out of Greenland without restriction and can be bought in all towns at tourist offices and souvenir shops.

"Since that time, however, Greenlandic artists have become aware of the accommodating stone with its attractive and varied nuances."

Package Tours

Disko Line: Disko Bay from South to North

Disko Line

Disko Bay from South to North

A trip to Greenland where nature goes hand in hand with culture under the midnight sun.

FROM €1,889
Blue Ice Explorer – South Greenland 4 days – easy going

Blue Ice Explorer

South Greenland 4 days – easy going

South Greenland is famous for its Norse history and blue icebergs, and you can easily reach both on daytrips from the airport in Narsarsuaq.

FROM €435
Blue Ice Explorer: Traditional kayak experience – 1 day

Blue Ice Explorer

Traditional kayak experience - 1 day

Explore the old inuit culture by paddling in a kayak built using the traditional, greenlandic methods.

FROM €180
North Safari Outfitters: Fishing Expedition

North Safari Outfitters

Fishing Expedition

North Safari Outfitters offers a fishing adventure, in the Fjords of Kangerlussuaq , we will fish for cod, halibut, catfish and arctic char. 

FROM €1,900
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By Visit Greenland

Behind Greenland's largest travel site is the Visit Greenland that is 100% owned by the Government of Greenland, who is responsible for marketing the country's adventures and opportunities for guests wishing to visit the world's largest island

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Editors' pick

Diving into the Nuuk fjord as the sun is setting. Photo by Peter Lindstrom - Visit Greenland

Editor’s tips for 2021

Greenland’s on your bucket list for the new year - or perhaps even the year after - but when is the best time to visit Greenland and what are useful things to know before going? What are things to do in Greenland in winter as opposed to summer?

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Disko Bay Steam in Ilulissat Ice Fjord. Photo - David Trood, Visit Greenland

Greenland vs Iceland: The Arctic Travel Battle

10 basic differences between Greenland and Iceland you should know before booking your vacation.

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A glacier hiker on the Greenland Ice Sheet kicking up ice on a sunny day near Kangerlussuaq. Photo by Mads Pihl - Visit Greenland.

8 Things You Can Only Find in Greenland and Nowhere Else

Here is a list of things that you can find ONLY in Greenland and nowhere else in the world.

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Arctic hare in Ittoqqortoormiit. Photo by Bo Normander.

Beautiful hike in Ittoqqortoormiit in East Greenland

A hike to the abandoned village of Uunarteq (Cape Tobin) offers incomparably beautiful Arctic nature, challenging terrain and close encounters with snow hares, eider ducks, sea urchins and, if you are lucky / unlucky, polar bears.

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Visit Greenland

About Visit Greenland

Behind Greenland's largest travel site is the Visit Greenland that is 100% owned by the Government of Greenland, who is responsible for marketing the country's adventures and opportunities for guests wishing to visit the world's largest island.

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The Flora of Greenland An aerial view of iceberg clusters in the Ilulissat ice fjord in Greenland. By Mads Pihl The Guide to Climate Change in Greenland
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