On the Norway-Russia border, the Sámi people face a growing divide
Summary
Norway’s security measures and halted crossings since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine have weakened long-standing ties among Sámi communities and residents along the Norway-Russia border. The changes have affected personal relationships, local businesses and traditions that depend on cross-border connections.Key Facts
- The Sámi homeland, Sápmi, spans northern Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia’s Kola Peninsula.
- Norway and Russia established their border in 1826, dividing Sámi communities in the region.
- A visa-free agreement once allowed residents living within 30 kilometres of the border to travel between Norway and Russia.
- Cross-border trips have stopped since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, amid solidarity with Ukraine and safety concerns.
- Kirkenes has faced espionage concerns, and some residents worry about accidentally crossing the border with hunting ammunition in their cars.
- Russian visitors to Norway fell from 250,000 in 2019 to 52,000 last year, according to the article.
- Local shops have lost income and some have closed as Russian tourism declined.
- Nils Boine says his family’s tourism business has been less affected because most customers come from Asia or Finland.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
