• Things to Do
  • Destinations
  • Plan Your Trip
  • About Greenland
  • Events
Visit Greenland
  • Home
  • Things to Do
  • Destinations
    • All destinations
    • North Greenland
    • Disko Bay
    • Destination Arctic Circle
    • Capital Region
    • South Greenland
    • East Greenland
    • The National Park
  • Plan Your Trip
  • About Greenland
  • Articles
  • Events
  • Cruise
  • Practical Questions
  • Package tours & providers
  • Your Local Travel Agency
  • Contact
  • Search
  • Inside the Mersortarfik sewing workshop in Ilulissat in Greenland

The anorak house of Mersortarfik

The father of the hoodie is the Greenlandic anorak.

The bell rings as I open the door. Candles for sale decorate the entrance, and the smell of popcorn cooking wafts out of the room.

I thought I was going to Mersortarfik, the famous anorak house in Ilulissat. But what greets me is a curious place full of knickknacks, selling rows of gourmet chocolate, locally produced jams, and imported fresh flowers too.

A woman fiddling with the popcorn machine looks up, nods hello and gestures to the other room.

SEWING AWAY

As I take a moment to figure out the place, the sound of ‘rrrr’ draws me to the opposite side of the boutique.

It is the rattle of a sewing machine at work. One lady working away, surrounded by at least nine different sewing machines. All with different purposes, I find out later, as there are only two who work at this place.

Her hands fly over the machine deftly, adjusting minute details with the flair of a craftswoman at work.

A WORKING PAIR

The seamstress’ name is Janni. She is one of two who make up Mersortarfik, one of the sewing houses that produces sealskin and anorak products for all of Greenland.

It turns out the popcorn machine woman is Benedikte, who owns the business. Janni and Benedikte are a team, and together they run the gift shop and the sewing business. Drifting wherever there is need of service.

The pair have worked together for fourteen years. Their close relationship is evident when they say the same thing in unison.

The smell of popcorn cooking wafts out of the room.

Continues further down the page...

Package Tours

Greenland Tours: Northern Lights & Icebergs

Greenland Tours

Northern Lights & Icebergs

4 days in Ilulissat incl. dog sledding & Northern Lights tour

FROM €830
Disko Line: Day trip to Eqip Sermia

Disko Line

Day trip to Eqip Sermia

Experience the beautiful Eqi glacier that runs into the fjord north of Ilulissat.

FROM €327
Greenland by Topas – Summer tour: Disko Island, Icebergs and Eqi Glacier

Greenland by Topas

Summer tour: Disko Island, Icebergs and Eqi Glacier

Experience Disko Island’s glaciers, Disko Bay’s huge icebergs and legendary whales, then further north, Eqi Glacier's deafening calving events.

FROM €3,615
Greenland Tours: Disko Adventure

Greenland Tours

Disko Adventure

4 days in Disko Bay incl. hiking and kayaking

FROM €760
Show More

THE FAMOUS ANORAK WITH A TWIST

Mersortarfik’s signature product is a version of the national anorak, which can be ordered and fitted to size in any other colour of the rainbow.

They can be adjusted to fit summer or winter in Greenland. There are traditional-style anoraks for men, and dresses in the anorak style for women.

The anorak is the national costume of Greenland worn traditionally by men on formal and happy occasions. Men will wear a plain white version, the colour which allows hunters to blend in with the snowy nature.

FACTS

  • Where

    Mersortarfik can be found in the center of Ilulissat

  • Who

    Janni and Benedikte run the operations together

  • What

    Here you can buy locally made sealskin fur gloves and anoraks

  • Meaning

    Mersortarfik literally translates to ‘sewing place’

Today's use of the Anorak

Today, the anorak is still used in Greenland, and its influence is evident in designs by popular Greenlandic fashion houses. Among the local people, the winter nylon anoraks are popular with the fishermen and the hunters.

“They can easily withstand up to minus 25 degrees Celsius (-13*F), and are easier to clean than traditional furs”, Benedikte explains and continues:

“We are the only place in Ilulissat where one sews the national anorak, and there are fewer and fewer sewing houses left in Greenland who produce this locally anymore.”

I ask to try on a traditional male-style anorak, and Janni kindly obliges by pulling one in bright blue hues down. Benedikte adds amusedly that the local women still do not buy the traditional male version of the anorak. Although female tourists will sometimes opt for that version. I know which category I fall into, but don’t really mind.

So next time you visit Ilulissat and walk into a gift shop boutique, check to see if it also happens to be the famous anorak house of Mersortarfik.

Explore related articles, offers and tour providers:

  • Anytime
  • Cultural Experiences
  • Fashion
  • Ilulissat
  • Summer
  • Winter

By Tanny Por

Tanny is a world citizen who helps to share the outside - inside perspective of travelling in Greenland. She also works with strategic initiatives in the areas of content marketing and destination development for Visit Greenland.

https://thefourthcontinent.com/

Editors' pick

Walk on path along coastline of Nuuk. Photo - Peter Lindstrom, Visit Greenland

Greenland’s modern path to independence

Many people ask if Greenland is considered a country. Others question, Why does Denmark own Greenland? Read on to get a snapshot of Greenland’s political status and the historical background of Greenland’s road to independence.

  • #Anytime
  • #Capital Region
  • #East Greenland
  • #Expeditions
  • #History
  • #North Greenland
  • #Regions
  • #Seasons
  • #The National Park
  • #Things to do & About
Whale Art by Aka Høegh, Qaqortoq. Photo - Peter Lindstrom, Visit Greenland

The Greenlandic hunting culture and the Bowhead Whale – a portrait

The Bowhead Whale can boast not only of its appearance in Season 4 of Borgen, but also of its status as the world's most padded baleen whale, and its history of coming close to extinction.

  • #All destinations
  • #Anytime
  • #Anywhere
  • #Cultural Experiences
  • #Culture vs Nature
  • #Hunting
  • #Inuit Culture
  • #Natural Experiences
  • #Regions
  • #Seasons
  • #Things to do & About
  • #Towns & settlements
  • #Whale Watching
Nukissiorfiit worker is moving ice with poclain in Qaanaaq. Photo by Aningaaq R Carlsen - Visit Greenland

When ice becomes (drinking) water: Greenland’s energy heroes

Employees of Greenland's utility company, Nukissiorfiit, work every day to ensure that residents across the country have access to vital energy, water and heat.

  • #Anytime
  • #Icebergs
  • #Ilulissat
  • #Meeting Greenlanders
  • #North Greenland
  • #Providers
  • #Public Facilities
  • #Qaanaaq
  • #Regions
  • #Seasons
  • #Things to do & About
  • #Towns & settlements
  • #Uummannaq
Muskox under the sun in Jameson Land. Photo by Bo Normander

Musk oxen and sandstone mountains in Jameson Land

A hike in the northeastern Greenlandic wilderness in Jameson Land offers incredible mountain landscapes and intimate experiences with the large musk oxen that dig into the local vegetation.

  • #Camping
  • #Cultural Experiences
  • #Culture vs Nature
  • #East Greenland
  • #Fauna
  • #Flora
  • #Hiking
  • #Natural Expereinces
  • #Regions
  • #Seasons
  • #Summer
  • #Things to do & About
  • #Towns & settlements
More related articles

Keep Exploring

Things to Do

Browse culture and nature (outdoor, hunting, fishing, cruises) related activities, as well as combination of both types.

Plan your trip

Read about practical information on how to get to Greenland, how to get around, when to travel or where to stay.

Destinations

Explore the regions and towns around Greenland and dig deeper into the experiences in each destination.

About Greenland

All about art, music, history, as well as animals, climate change and other interesting information about Greenland.

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.
The VisitGreenland.com website is created by Visit Greenland and Kathart Interactive.
The Privacy Policy for Visit Greenland

Frequently Visited Pages

  • Things to Do
  • Destinations
  • Nature & Climate
  • When to go
  • Greenlandic Culture
  • Frequently Asked Questions

Other Websites By Visit Greenland:

  • Travel Trade
  • Cruise Call List
  • Media Database

Newsletter

Receive inspiring stories, travel deals and news from Greenland via email.

SIGN UP HERE

GREENLAND – contact us:

Mon. - Fri: 8 am - 4 pm

Visit Greenland
Hans Egedesvej 29
P.O. Box 1615
3900 Nuuk
Greenland

Direct phone Greenland:
(+299) 34 28 21

info@visitgreenland.com

DENMARK – Contact us:

Mon. - Fri. 8 am - 4 pm

Visit Greenland
Strandgade 91
1401 Copenhagen
Denmark

Direct phone Denmark:
(+45) 32 83 38 80

info@visitgreenland.com
Copyright Visit Greenland 2019 © Produced by KathArt Interactive
Scroll to top