Greenland’s National Day in East Greenland

A Day of Light, Roots and Community

As the days grow longer, everyone knows the short but intense summer season is upon us. The prime time of year for fishing, hunting and gathering the beloved local food sources that can sustain everyone through the longer, darker days of winter. During the summer, the days seem endless, with the 21st of June marking the summer solstice as the longest day of the year. This is the time when the Arctic sun stays high and bright well into the night above the Arctic Circle, also known as the midnight sun.

While people have been celebrating the significance of the longest day of the year for centuries, Greenland’s National Day was first marked on this day in 1985, the same year the Greenlandic flag ‘Erfalasorput’, designed by Thue Christiansen, was adopted. The flag has waved proudly for 40 years now, a symbol of the people’s enduring connection to their land and the ocean that surrounds it. A day for celebrating Greenlandic culture, language, and identity.

Celebrating at Ittimiini, where History Lives

Enjoying what people take pride in and what is essential to their identity and everyday lives. What would be more fitting than celebrating this day at ‘Ittimiini’, a culturally important place, housing a winter dwelling, which is located next to the heliport in Tasiilaq, now grounds for camping of visitors. It was once home to winter dwellings used until 1931, remnants of a nomadic lifestyle that ended during early colonisation. The colonial period started in Ammassalik when the missionary and trade station was established in the area that is now known as Tasiilaq in 1925. Today, you can still see several well-preserved turf houses, a physical link to the past, classified as part of the Thule people’s Neo-Inuit phase.

No matter the weather, the people of Tasiilaq take it as it comes and make the best of it, as the most important part of the day is to enjoy the land they live in and the people they live together with in the community. If the sun shines all day long, much of the festivities happen outdoors, but even if it is not, the sports hall becomes the heart of the events. The day starts bright and early with speeches, choir performances and a joint breakfast at the communal gathering place in town, before church services. The seal hunt competition starts early in the morning as well, where hunters show their skill of who can catch a seal first, and later, throughout the day, the women will compete to see who can flense (cut and prepare) a seal the fastest. Around noon, if the weather allows, locals gather at Ittimiini, an important historic spot where turf houses still stand. Here, the community enjoys choir performances, drum dancing, games, and East Greenlandic delicacies in a casual, picnic-style and friendly atmosphere. When the sun starts to dip, everyone heads back to the sports hall for an evening of polka, live music, singing, and dancing that keeps the energy high well into the bright night. Families celebrate together, small and big, young and old. ‘It´s important because it connects us to our roots and shows the younger generation the value of our heritage’, an elderly woman reflects while watching her grandchild dancing with the rest of the family.

A Reminder of Who People Are and Where They Come From

Inside the sports hall, the atmosphere is alive with warmth, children laughing, and the familiar rhythms of community life unfolding through games, music, and dancing. It’s a scene that speaks to something deeper than just celebration. One local describes it perfectly: ‘I like that we come together as people on the National Day, and show how proud we are of ourselves and our land. People are enjoying themselves, and the atmosphere is pleasant.’ It is a feeling he recognises from all the different places and communities he has celebrated the 21^st of June across Greenland.

At the heart of it all is a sense of belonging to the land, to each other, and to shared traditions that reach across generations. For many, the day centres around family. As one man reflects, spending the day with loved ones, enjoying performances, joining local events, and eating traditional food are what make the day meaningful. Others prefer a quieter celebration, rooted in nature. Down at the harbour, a woman prepares to sail out with her family early in the morning. For her, the simplicity of being together in a favourite spot, surrounded by nature and sharing a meal of locally sourced Greenlandic food, is what truly matters. ‘For me, being together with family on National Day is the most important. We like to sail out to our favourite spot and spend the day together enjoying nature, eating locally sourced/Greenlandic food,’ she says with a smile.

Whether you’re dancing a polka indoors, soaking up sunshine during a choir performance, or enjoying the stillness of the fjord with family and traditional food, June 21st in East Greenland is a celebration of the warmth of the people and a powerful reminder of identity, community, and the enduring connection between people and place.

About the Author

Lana is a passionate tourism student from South Greenland, currently pursuing her education in the field while gaining hands-on experience through an internship at Visit East Greenland. Born and raised in South Greenland, she has a deep connection to her home country and a growing interest in sharing its unique culture and landscapes with others.

Her time in the Ammassalik region marks her first visit to this part of East Greenland, though she is no stranger to the area, having previously travelled to Ittoqqortoormiit. With a strong interest in exploring different aspects of tourism, from guiding to destination management, as well as working with expedition ships and running her own small tour operation, Lana is eager to build a future in the industry and contribute to sustainable tourism development in Greenland. Her work reflects both curiosity and commitment, as she continues to discover new perspectives on the diverse regions of her country.