Sommarøy, the Norwegian island that defies time

Located beyond the Arctic Circle, not far from Tromsø, this small Norwegian island is subject to the rhythm of endless days or nights. In summer, the sun does not set for 68 consecutive nights and in winter, the sun does not rise for 48 days in a row. As a result of this special climate, the islanders feel that they experience the concept of time differently.

So, in order to make the most of the very long summer days, the inhabitants of Sommarøy are petitioning to abandon the use of the watch!

People insist that the notion of "measuring time" is superfluous when almost nightless days follow one another for weeks, reaching a maximum at the time of the summer solstice on 21 June (polar day).

The 350 members of the community say they want to "do what they want, when they want, and above all not live in stress".

In the campaign called "Time-Free Zone" launched on social networks, we can hear the testimony of an inhabitant explaining: "Here in the Sommarøy 'free zone', we enjoy every minute of the midnight sun. There is no problem with mowing the lawn at midnight or swimming at 4am. How can you tell what time it is when there is no night?"

The leader of the Time-free Zone movement acknowledges that "Children and teenagers should still go to school, but it is possible to be flexible. No one has to fit into a box, whether it's school or work hours.

To be continued ....