March 18, 2024 | Boing Boing |
Longyearbyen, Norway, celebrates the end of polar night with Solfestuka Fruktfest, indulging in tropical fruits like mangosteens and guavas, despite their high prices. Svalbardbutikken supermarket stocks these treats, offering a taste of sunshine in the icy archipelago. Residents, including those from 50 different nationalities, appreciate the symbolic warmth of these fruits after months of darkness. While prices may be steep, the joy of the sun's return outweighs the cost for many. For Jonathan Oracion, a chef from the Philippines, who used to find mangosteens plentiful and cheap, the novelty of paying more for them now is part of the unique experience in Longyearbyen.