Over the last year or more, Norway has slowly removed rights from non-Norwegians who belong to signatory countries of the Svalbard treaty. The right to vote for non-Norwegian residents has been removed, and now the Norwegian government has removed the right to driving licenses for many. The following was written by a local non-Norwegian (USA) resident of Svalbard who forwarded me the following correspondence that has been sent to multiple embassies worldwide that are signatories to the Svalbard treaty. What Norway is doing is NOT ok and is a clear violation of the Svalbard treaty. There is a clear mandate in Svalbard to push non-Norwegians out and heavily restrict tourism to the archipelago.

In 2022, when it’s essential for worldwide democracies to stand together, Norway ended 20 years of democratic rule in the world’s northernmost town– Longyearbyen, Svalbard. Until June, 2022 the rules for Svalbard were the same as for mainland Norway. After three years, all residents can vote in local elections. But in Longyearbyen, where the non-Norwegian population is now 30%, Norway removed the right to vote from all non-Norwegian residents. Editors Note: A violation of the Svalbard treaty.

Further human rights were eliminated by Norway in October 2022 when they changed the rules for driving licenses making it illegal for non-Norwegians to drive and impossible for them to comply with the driving license rules. The decision on driving licenses so far is that only countries whose licenses follow the design of the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, or are signatories to this convention, are allowed to continue driving. Ninety-six countries have not signed the Convention, including Australia, Canada, and the US.

At the same time, Norway no longer allows Svalbard residents to exchange their licenses for Norwegian ones. In contrast, on the mainland, foreign residents can exchange their driving documents after one month. The use of International Driving Permits which is allowed in the Vienna Convention and on mainland Norway is also exempted on Svalbard.

Not only do these restrictions create deep divides in the community, but this also raises a special difficulty for international scientists studying climate change. Without a driving license, scientists cannot go out into the field to conduct their research since travel into the wilderness requires the use of a snowmobile, and snowmobiles and ATVs are included under the same driving restrictions. Suddenly, in the place where climate change is happening fastest, Norway has made it impossible for research scientists to do their work.

In addition to affecting residents and researchers, this new rule also affects tourists. On mainland Norway, visitors can stay for three months while using their country’s license. Suddenly on Svalbard, no one -resident or visitor – is allowed to drive unless they meet the above requirements.

Norway was granted sovereignty over Svalbard in 1925 through the Spitsbergen Treaty. The Treaty guarantees all residents of Svalbard equal treatment, with no country’s citizens receiving preference. The sudden loss of driving rights is a clear breach of Article 3 which requires Norway to give all residents equal access within Svalbard both on land and water. 

These shocking restrictions of rights in the high Arctic is costing people their jobs, housing and putting their safety at risk. This appears to be Norway’s attempt to force non-Norwegian Svalbard residents to leave the archipelago while at the same time the government is forcing Norwegian citizens to move to Svalbard by relocating some bureaucratic offices from the mainland to Longyearbyen. 

Svalbard Resident

It has been quite some time since I last did a workshop and expedition availability update. Rather than post everything happening this year (Read the 2022 Retrospective and 2023 What’s in Store post), I am instead posting only those few trips with availability in 2023. Please contact me about any workshop or expedition you may be interested in for additional information or to register your interest. For 2024 and beyond, please check out my workshops page at www.jholko.com/workshops

Svalbard Spring Light Expedition

Only two places remain on this expedition. This will be my last planned expedition to Svalbard for the foreseeable future. April is the ideal time to visit Svalbard. The landscape is still blanketed in snow and ice, and the low angle of the sun means there are outstanding opportunities with the light, landscape, and wildlife. If you have ever wanted to photograph Polar Bears in beautiful soft light, this is the expedition for you.

Zululand Africa Ground Level Wildlife Masterclass

In May, I will lead my Zululand Wildlife masterclass. This is the African workshop for the photographer who has always wanted to photograph African wildlife at ground level and not from the detached height of a large safari vehicle. Whether this is your first African visit or you are a veteran of many safaris, this is the workshop to get you up close at eye level with the wildlife.

Wild Wolves of the Taiga Forest Finland

Only three places remain before this workshop is sold out. If you have ever wanted to photograph wild wolves, this workshop is for you. To get an idea of the sort of photographs you can make in this workshop, be sure to check out the Finland portfolio on my website – www.jholko.com/portfolios

Finland Eagle Owl and Golden Eagle Extension

The optional extension to the Wild Wolves of the Taiga forest workshop has only 3 places remaining before it is also sold out.

Antarctica Return to the White Continent Expedition

One of the most exciting destinations on the planet for both landscape and wildlife photography is Antarctica. The enigmatic white continent is, without doubt, the premiere and sought-after location for Polar Photography on our planet. With its monumental icebergs, towering mountains and glaciers, and a plethora of wildlife, it offers the intrepid photographer a unique and powerful photographic experience.

One of the problems with almost all expeditions to Antarctica is the sheer number of people visiting ships can accommodate. In recent years there have been virtually no sub-100 passenger vessels (and many are now 200+ passengers) traversing the icy polar waters, which remains a significant problem for photographers. With strict IATO restrictions across Antarctica, passengers and photographers have been forced to wait their turn for an all too brief period of photography on the continent, with no more than 100 souls allowed ashore at any one time. Now, I am incredibly excited to announce that my company Wild Nature Photo Travel, has fully chartered the completely refitted Polar Pioneer. We will return to the Great White Continent in December of 2023 on a dedicated expedition for photographers.

With a capacity of just 52 photographers, we will all be able to all land at the same time and spend hours ashore at each of our landing locations. Our choice time slot of December 8th – December 21st, 2023, is absolutely ideal for both ice and snow; while providing us a fantastic opportunity for a potential landing at Deception Island and a subsequent cruise through the spectacular Lemaire Channel – a landscape photographers’ paradise.

Whether you are a seasoned Antarctic veteran or a first-time traveler, this expedition is sure to offer you unparalleled and unique opportunities not offered anywhere else. You will be one of just 52 photographers on a dedicated expedition designed solely to offer the best possible photographic experiences – A return to the Great White Continent!

For more information or to register your interest, please email me at info@jholko.com. Limited places and cabin types only.

I have just published Episode 60 of my Wild Nature Photography Podcast. In this episode, I wish all a very happy New Year and give a brief workshop and expedition update on those trips with availability for 2023. I am pleased to say the podcast also hit 10,000 downloads last night – thank you. Wishing all of you all the very best for 2023!