Latest news with #KjellOveHveding
News.com.au
5 days ago
- News.com.au
Iconic fishing village is the only place in the world ‘without time'
A tiny fishing village where the sun doesn't set for 69 days is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Home to just 300 people, the island's residents have chosen not to live by strict time conventions and instead 'do what they want — when they want'. Sommarøy, meaning 'summer island' has constant sunlight between May 18 to July 26 every year. You can walk across the sandy beaches at 2am, and stroll among the gorgeous Arctic mountains while others are sleeping. Due to its northern location, it hardly ever gets warm in Sommarøy, with average temperatures between seven and 15 degrees. And in the winter, the midnight sun is replaced by constant darkness, which occurs between November and January. The long polar nights are perfect for seeing the Aurora Borealis, which can light up the sky at any time during the 'day' or 'night'. The island's economy depends on fishing and tourism and there's so much to do for visitors, including hiking, swimming and kayaking. Due to its unusual daylight hours, Sommarøy exists without the normal time constraints placed on society. In fact, the iconic Sommarøy Bridge, which is used as a way to access the island is covered in watches from visitors, who want to ditch the concept of time while on the island. In 2019, the inhabitants launched a campaign to make Sommarøy 'time free'. 'In many cases this can be linked to the feeling of being trapped by the clock', ' Kjell Ove Hveding, the leader of the campaign said. 'We will be a time-free zone where everyone can live their lives to the fullest … Our goal is to provide full flexibility, 24/7. 'If you want to cut the lawn at 4am, then you can do it.' The campaign called for opening hours to be abolished, and for people do be allowed to do whatever they liked at any time of day. Residents of the island said: 'Here we enjoy every minute of the midnight sun, and yes, a coffee with friends on the beach at 2am is a normal thing.' It was later revealed that the campaign was partly a marketing ploy by Visit Norway, to boost tourism to the island. However, the island's residents did have a meeting to sign a petition to become the word's first time-free zone, and their unique attitude to time is real. 'We apologise as we should have been [clearer] from the start about the role of the agency', Marianne Mork, former head of business communications for Visit Norway, told CNN. 'However, the initiative is real and came from the islanders themselves, and their time-free way of living is real.'
The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- The Irish Sun
The only place in the world ‘without time' is a beautiful island where the sun doesn't set for 69 days in the summer
The islanders signed a petition to become a "time free zone" TIMELESS ESCAPE The only place in the world 'without time' is a beautiful island where the sun doesn't set for 69 days in the summer A TINY fishing village where the sun doesn't set for 69 days is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Home to just 300 people, the island's residents have chosen not to live by strict time conventions and instead "do what they want—when they want". 6 Traditional wooden huts on Sommaroy Island Credit: Getty 6 The Midnight Sun in Sommoroy Credit: Getty 6 It is a great place to see the Northern Lights Credit: Getty Sommarøy meaning summer island has constant sunlight between May 18 to July 26 every year. You can walk across the gorgeous wind sandy beaches at 2am, and stroll amongst the gorgeous Arctic mountains whilst others are sleeping. Due to its northern location, it hardly ever gets warm in Sommarøy, with average temperatures between seven and 15 degrees. And in the winter, the midnight sun is replaced by constant darkness, which occurs between November and January. The long polar nights are perfect for seeing the Aurora Borealis, which can light up the sky at any time during the "day" or "night". The island's economy depends on fishing and tourism and there's so much to do for visitors, including hiking, swimming and kayaking. Time free zone Due to it's unusual daylight hours, Sommarøy exists without the normal time constraints placed on society. In fact, the iconic Sommarøy Bridge, which is used as a way to access the island is covered in watches from visitors, who want to ditch the concept of time whilst on the island. In 2019, the inhabitants launched a campaign to make Sommarøy "time free". 'In many cases this can be linked to the feeling of being trapped by the clock", ' Kjell Ove Hveding, the leader of the campaign said. "We will be a time-free zone where everyone can live their lives to the fullest … Our goal is to provide full flexibility, 24/7. "If you want to cut the lawn at 4am, then you can do it." The campaign called for opening hours to be abolished, and for people do be allowed to do whatever they liked at any time of day. World's loneliest island 1,400 miles away from people has a dark past Residents of the island said: "Here we enjoy every minute of the midnight sun, and yes, a coffee with friends on the beach at 2am is a normal thing.' It was later revealed that the campaign was partly a marketing ploy by Visit Norway, to boost tourism to the island. However, the island's residents did have a meeting to sign a petition to become the word's first time-free zone, and their unique attitude to time is real. 'We apologize as we should have been [clearer] from the start about the role of the agency", Marianne Mork, former head of business communications for Visit Norway, told CNN. "However, the initiative is real and came from the islanders themselves, and their time-free way of living is real." Places in the world where the sun doesn't set Norway - between April 20 and August 22 Finland - between May and August Sweden - between June and July Alaska - between May 10 and August 2 Iceland - between mid-May and mid-August Canada - between May 24 and July 20 North Pole - between late March and late September South Pole - betweem September 23 and March 20 6 Wooden cabins on the waters edge at Sommaroy Credit: Getty 6 Aerial view of Sommaroy islands Credit: Getty
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Scottish Sun
The only place in the world ‘without time' is a beautiful island where the sun doesn't set for 69 days in the summer
The islanders signed a petition to become a "time free zone" TIMELESS ESCAPE The only place in the world 'without time' is a beautiful island where the sun doesn't set for 69 days in the summer Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A TINY fishing village where the sun doesn't set for 69 days is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Home to just 300 people, the island's residents have chosen not to live by strict time conventions and instead "do what they want—when they want". 6 Traditional wooden huts on Sommaroy Island Credit: Getty 6 The Midnight Sun in Sommoroy Credit: Getty 6 It is a great place to see the Northern Lights Credit: Getty Sommarøy meaning summer island has constant sunlight between May 18 to July 26 every year. You can walk across the gorgeous wind sandy beaches at 2am, and stroll amongst the gorgeous Arctic mountains whilst others are sleeping. Due to its northern location, it hardly ever gets warm in Sommarøy, with average temperatures between seven and 15 degrees. And in the winter, the midnight sun is replaced by constant darkness, which occurs between November and January. The long polar nights are perfect for seeing the Aurora Borealis, which can light up the sky at any time during the "day" or "night". The island's economy depends on fishing and tourism and there's so much to do for visitors, including hiking, swimming and kayaking. Time free zone Due to it's unusual daylight hours, Sommarøy exists without the normal time constraints placed on society. In fact, the iconic Sommarøy Bridge, which is used as a way to access the island is covered in watches from visitors, who want to ditch the concept of time whilst on the island. In 2019, the inhabitants launched a campaign to make Sommarøy "time free". 'In many cases this can be linked to the feeling of being trapped by the clock", ' Kjell Ove Hveding, the leader of the campaign said. "We will be a time-free zone where everyone can live their lives to the fullest … Our goal is to provide full flexibility, 24/7. "If you want to cut the lawn at 4am, then you can do it." The campaign called for opening hours to be abolished, and for people do be allowed to do whatever they liked at any time of day. World's loneliest island 1,400 miles away from people has a dark past Residents of the island said: "Here we enjoy every minute of the midnight sun, and yes, a coffee with friends on the beach at 2am is a normal thing.' It was later revealed that the campaign was partly a marketing ploy by Visit Norway, to boost tourism to the island. However, the island's residents did have a meeting to sign a petition to become the word's first time-free zone, and their unique attitude to time is real. 'We apologize as we should have been [clearer] from the start about the role of the agency", Marianne Mork, former head of business communications for Visit Norway, told CNN. "However, the initiative is real and came from the islanders themselves, and their time-free way of living is real." Places in the world where the sun doesn't set Norway - between April 20 and August 22 Finland - between May and August Sweden - between June and July Alaska - between May 10 and August 2 Iceland - between mid-May and mid-August Canada - between May 24 and July 20 North Pole - between late March and late September South Pole - betweem September 23 and March 20 6 Wooden cabins on the waters edge at Sommaroy Credit: Getty 6 Aerial view of Sommaroy islands Credit: Getty 6 Sommarøy bridge Credit: Getty
The Sun
6 days ago
- The Sun
The only place in the world ‘without time' is a beautiful island where the sun doesn't set for 69 days in the summer
A TINY fishing village where the sun doesn't set for 69 days is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Home to just 300 people, the island's residents have chosen not to live by strict time conventions and instead "do what they want—when they want". 6 6 6 Sommarøy meaning summer island has constant sunlight between May 18 to July 26 every year. You can walk across the gorgeous wind sandy beaches at 2am, and stroll amongst the gorgeous Arctic mountains whilst others are sleeping. Due to its northern location, it hardly ever gets warm in Sommarøy, with average temperatures between seven and 15 degrees. And in the winter, the midnight sun is replaced by constant darkness, which occurs between November and January. The long polar nights are perfect for seeing the Aurora Borealis, which can light up the sky at any time during the "day" or "night". The island's economy depends on fishing and tourism and there's so much to do for visitors, including hiking, swimming and kayaking. Time free zone Due to it's unusual daylight hours, Sommarøy exists without the normal time constraints placed on society. In fact, the iconic Sommarøy Bridge, which is used as a way to access the island is covered in watches from visitors, who want to ditch the concept of time whilst on the island. In 2019, the inhabitants launched a campaign to make Sommarøy "time free". 'In many cases this can be linked to the feeling of being trapped by the clock", ' Kjell Ove Hveding, the leader of the campaign said. "We will be a time-free zone where everyone can live their lives to the fullest … Our goal is to provide full flexibility, 24/7. "If you want to cut the lawn at 4am, then you can do it." The campaign called for opening hours to be abolished, and for people do be allowed to do whatever they liked at any time of day. Residents of the island said: "Here we enjoy every minute of the midnight sun, and yes, a coffee with friends on the beach at 2am is a normal thing.' It was later revealed that the campaign was partly a marketing ploy by Visit Norway, to boost tourism to the island. However, the island's residents did have a meeting to sign a petition to become the word's first time-free zone, and their unique attitude to time is real. 'We apologize as we should have been [clearer] from the start about the role of the agency", Marianne Mork, former head of business communications for Visit Norway, told CNN. "However, the initiative is real and came from the islanders themselves, and their time-free way of living is real." 6 6 6
