Cultural and social life generates solidarity and identity. The coming years' planning activities are to support and further develop the vast potential while increasing focus on securing meeting places and rooms for thriving in towns and settlements.
'The Inuit had the physical and spiritual life force to survive and develop, had the energy to unfold their imagination and creative urge while enjoying each other's company. There was room for being human.'
'Through their ancestors' wisdom and way of living, the Inuit have succeeded in creating, in spite of external conditions, a viable culture, which in a strong and unique manner is expressed in their ceremonies, rituals and celebrations. Whenever people gathered, displays of humour and festivity were typical Inuit characteristics.'
In north-western Greenland, we value culture and we are known for a strong, vibrant cultural life centred on the Greenlandic language. It ranges from traditional needlework and handicraft from Qaanaaq to modern, Greenlandic rock at the world's northernmost rock festival, NIPIAA, in Aasiaat.
Culture fosters solidarity and unity. Whether it is a soccer tournament, a rock festival, a dog sledge race or a kaffe-mik – these are all activities that make up part of our shared living culture and identity.
Qaasuitsup Municipality values culture highly and wants to be a vibrant municipality that offers diversity in culture, cultural experiences and activities.
Qaasuitsup Municipality boasts a very active and vibrant social life, which we want to grow in the future. There should be good facilities for associations and village halls should be re-thought and updated. Good meeting places should be established: Both small, intimate places between houses, and large, public places and facilities with room for people to do sports and exert themselves.
Sled dogs are a significant part of the north-western Greenlandic culture. Climate change has reduced the number of sled dogs, but they are still a live tool for fishermen and catchers as well as a part of our identity that we must safeguard.
The vast geographical scope of the municipality means that we boast a broad range of dialects. This linguistic wealth and variation is one of the areas that the municipality wants to strengthen and preserve in the future.
Qaasuitsup Municipality also wants to integrate newcomers better in society by means of special initiatives regarding Greenlandic language training.
Culture transcends language barriers, national borders and nationalities. By increasing focus on our culture, we will see new possibilities of establishing friendships and meeting new other foreign cultures. Qaasuitsup Municipality considers culture a key part in the process of developing new international cooperation and opening ourselves to the world.
