At the Norwegian research station in Troning Maud Land, Antarctica, the crow flies 14,605 kilometers from Oslo – a normal weekday until 5pm on Christmas Eve.
– We have excellent lunch with hot and cold dishes. There was a direct service from Svalbard at 3pm, and dinner was served at 5pm, says Øystein Mæland, who is in charge of electricity in the winter.
Beyond that, he says, the celebration is quiet. Many prefer to call home with family in the evening.
– Mæland tells Dagbladet that the working day goes on as usual for most, some decorate the evening and prepare for others.
“Three Nuts for Cinderella”
At the Ny-Alesund Research Station in Svalbard, Christmas is celebrated with a full program from morning to night, and people of all nationalities celebrate together.
– This year we have a total of twelve nationalities celebrating Christmas together. On the picture [under] We are gathered in front of one of the two Christmas trees imported for the occasion, says research coordinator Ingrid Gerstad.
– In short, the whole day starts with breakfast, followed by a joint screening of “Three Nuts to Cinderella”, porridge with choir singing in the old barn, and finally a joint Christmas celebration and a small gift for everyone in the well-being, she adds.
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