Hello everyone,
Last night we performed in a big club in Svalbard, the closest venue to the North Pole. The people were very appreciative to say the least. Today there is a heavy mist, like dropped clouds surrounding the town. We took an excursion to Coal Mine 3, which has been inactive for some time and was the original home of the Seed Bank, where over a million seeds are preserved and stored. This was of great interest to me, and to see aspects of the glittering permafrost, both significant in The Melting. I took some photographs and a little video for you.
I loved our visit to Svalbard, though the consequences of climate change can be seen and felt. At this time of the year it is continuous daylight, so we are all (in just three days) developing strange sleeping and non-sleeping patterns. Three days without night.
I saw white reindeer grazing and sleeping on the slopes, but did not want to disturb them. Tomorrow we fly to Oslo where we will continue tracking Rimbaud. We will concentrate on the poems inspired by the Franco-Prussian War. Arthur was definitely anti-war.
Happy father’s day to all fathers through time. I hope everyone is well and in good spirits. See you all very soon…
Below is the old seed band interior and outside the old mine. The seed bank is another hope for the future.
Wow, thanks for the video, photos and explanation! Didn’t know the original Seed Bank was in Svalbard. Always learning from your posts! It’s a pleasure to travel with you!
The Seed Bank!
thank you for these amazing images....showing us so much about Svalbard and its strange peculiar beauty in a way
Sleepless nights in Svalband
Hi Patti. You send us the most amazing things!
Allex (in australia)
Wow Patti, clearly no cold feet!
thank you patti
As long as we are able to access the internet, your posts will be like the great books we take down from the bookshelf and reread.
What an experience you’ve had! Three days without night! I can’t even imagine what that would do to my equilibrium. That’s fascinating about the seed banks. I just read THE OVERSTORY; seed banks are imperative , since humans have so disrupted nature’s natural progression.
Thanks for posting the miners hat portrait Patti. It’s always a gift to have new favorites.
Seed banks are so fascinating, thank you for showing us this place!
Incredible scenery and background story.
Enchanting in a very desolate yet beautiful way. Triggers strange longings for a healthy planet where seeds grow ... peace flows. Thank you for taking us on your journey...
What a fascinating place! Seed Banks are desperately needed! Thanks for sharing your amazing journey!
Oh Patti! This is wonderful- what great adventures you all are having. I hope you can get some true sleep. Thanks for sharing.
Welcome to Oslo and Norway, well you are actually in Norway when you are at Svalbard- the seedbank is in the Norwegian part of it- and it is something that we are very proud of. See you soon at Sentrum scene- which of course is sold out- both nights!
Wow! Incredible! My soul aches for the state of this planet. Thank you for bearing witness and allowing us to glimpse a place most of us will likely never travel to in our lifetimes. I am particularly moved by the seed bank. If you are of mind, look into the life of Russian phytogeographer Nikolai Vavilov (1887-1943). He and the team of agronomists whom he lead as Director of the Institute of Plant Breeding in Leningrad, Russia, amassed one of the world's most definitive and important seed collections a century ago. During the 1920s and 1930s, Nicolai traveled the globe (often under hardship and times of social strife) collecting germ-plasm directly from the indigenous communities whose ancestors first domesticated wild plants: places like the Ethiopian plateau (coffee, barley), the mountains of Oaxaca (maize), and the Andes of Peru and Bolivia (potatoes). Nicolai called these places "Centers of Origin." The seed collection was the most comprehensive in the world at the time. Tragically, Professor Vavilov ran afoul of Stalin for publicly criticizing Stalin's pseudo-scientist pet Troyfim Lysenko (a former student of Nicolai's) and for refusing to disavow the newly emerging science of genetics which was being framed in counter revolutionary rhetoric by the Soviets at the time. During the 900-day Nazi siege of Leningrad in WW2, Nicolai's colleagues guarded the collections with their lives, choosing in some cases to starve rather than eat the seeds. Nicolai died in prison. His life and work were written out of the history books until he was posthumously rehabilitated after Stalin's death. The scientists of the Institute of Plant Breeding in St Petersburg, Russia continue his work to this day.
Unbelievable story, Sue. Thank you so much for sharing it. I could not read this sentence without crying: “Nicolai's colleagues guarded the collections with their lives, choosing in some cases to starve rather than eat the seeds.”
When, at the request of “The New Yorker,” political philosopher Hannah Arendt witnessed and wrote about the trial of Otto Adolf Eichmann, one of the architects and implementers of the Nazi’s Final Solution to the Jewish Question, she got in a lot of trouble for concluding that evil is, after all, banal. What is extraordinary, Arendt maintained, is heroism, the pull against evil. The story you’ve shared about Nikolai Vavilov and his colleagues who guarded the seeds with their lives is a great example of what Arendt meant. Far more extraordinary than those who engage in destruction are those who would risk their lives to protect life giving seeds.
Thank you again, Sue. I, too, will learn more about Nikolai Vavilov and the work he did.
Thank you for your thoughtful insights, Robin. I see you do important work of your own. Much appreciation!
This is an incredible story. Thank you, I will make it a point of study!
That's wonderful, Patti :) I think you will really love delving into this topic. I meant to include in my post that a book was published of Professor Vavilov's travel writings. The title is: Five Continents by Nicolay Ivanovich Vavilov (Author), L. E. Rodin (Editor), Semyon Reznick (Editor), Paul Stapleton (Editor), Doris Love (Translator). Happy studying!
What a fascinating trip.
Seed bank, so vital!
White reindeer!
Safe travels, precious you
love the headlamp!
Amazing! Thank you for taking us with you, e hoa.
It must be strange to have no darkness at night, l think l would find it very difficult to sleep.
Seed banks are amazing to keep those seeds safe for future use is a wonderful thing to do. Kew Gardens in London has a huge one. Maybe one to visit in the future.
Thank you for the update on your travels it’s always a joy🙏
Thank you for sharing your journey with us. It was surely impressive to see it in real. Knowing about climate change is one thing, but see it in real, what it means, is another one ...
Wow! Just…wow.
All day long I’ve been trying to figure out how to say Thank You! for your exciting & so meaningful missive from Svalbard and the seed bank there. I am overwhelmed by your report - it’s as good as setting foot there myself - a long-held dream. Thank you and the band for playing there - I know that meant so much to folks there. Thank you for your thoughtful, extensive, illustrated report from such a far away place. I know so many of us can only send our hopes and dreams and support to the seed bank there - like we send our kids ahead of us, those seeds represent uncounted generations we’ll never see but hold in our hearts even so. Thank you - thank you - thank you. With love and respect.
Thank you so much for your journey and bringing us along. Svalbard is amazing and your post prompted me to learn more.
Beautiful photographs and footage... thank you Patti...
This came like manna: the Seed Repository, the thought of white reindeer sleeping on the slopes, the promise of Oslo and more Rimbaud. I’m more grateful than I can say. My dog has been very sick, so here it’s been three nights without a day. Sending warmth to everyone.
As ever,
Robin
I do hope your dog is feeling better! It's so awful when they are sick, such a worry, poor thing. Take care of yourself too!
Thank you so much, Laura. I’m truly grateful for your good wishes. He is doing better!
Sorry to hear about your dog - sending healing wishes..
Thank you so much, Diane. He is doing better the past 24 hours!
Our pets are like family, I wish them a quick return to health.
They are indeed. Thank you, Craig.
Awww hope your dog gets well soon …❤️
Thank you so much, Liz. I truly appreciate your good wishes. He is doing better! 🐕🩵
Hope your dog recovers soon. Such a worry.
It’s awful when an animal is sick. They suffer and you can’t explain what’s happening to them. He’s just come home and is asleep. Thank you for caring, Jim.
Absolutely stunning and surreal, Patti -- I'm speechless with chills. Thank you for paying tribute to our north pole brothers and sisters and the animals and environment…thank you for spreading goodwill throughout the planet. No wonder we love you so much. Have fun in your travels and come home safe…xoxo
OMG ... so far north!! Amazing landscape there Patti 🙌🩷
Thank you, Patti, for taking us along on your journey! This issue holds tremendous importance particularly in times of climate change. There's a remarkable film directed by Jon Betz that raises awareness about the significance of seeds and biodiversity (the seed bank in Svalbard is mentioned and shown from the inside). Moreover, the film deepens the understanding of the role seeds play in sustainable agriculture, environmental conservation, and their connection to human culture and traditions.
Embrace the unconventional nature of the Arctic summer, where the blurred line between night and day may challenge your sleep, but offers a unique experience like no other.
Thank you for telling us about the film.
That is so cool! I've always wondered what the seed bank actually looked like (I'm serious). Fascinating
Thank you for this magic, Patti. It s so nice sharing these same feelings.
What a hoot! Loved it, thanks for showing us xxx
so interesting! thank you
wow. utterly fascinating! thank you 💜
This is incredible. Thank you Patti ❤️
This is incredible. Svalbard is one of the places in the world I’d love to visit but doubt I’ll ever get there. Same with McMurdo in the south...Stunning and yes - hope for the future! 🌱 Thank you so much for sharing this journey with us - one that I know is so close to your heart, Patti. ❤️
Thanks. this is a good one.
Patti, did you see the piece my friend Cadine created, a plantable gold monochrome painting, that's in the museum there? https://www.cadinenavarro.com/seed-banks-1. I love being in the timeless space of no darkness...like floating...thanks for posting.
Amazing. Thank you for the link.
Thank you for taking us along on your journeys of physical, intellectual and spiritual exploration.
Patti, I'm going to tire you out wondering if you're coming to a concert in France this year or in early 2024... I sincerely hope so.
I love you Patti. we love you.
Thank you. Visiting this seed band is a fantasy wish of mine. Thank you for this magic. Hopeful it sparks some thought on the melting for you. Be safe and keep on sharing these fantastic sights. Grateful beyond words. Blessings to you and all in your travel party.
There is a wonderful channel on YouTube about life in Svalbard you might enjoy. It's interesting to watch their seasonal shifts, including the one you mentioned of continuous daylight. https://www.youtube.com/@CeciliaBlomdahl
Her TikTok account is a joy, too!
To the far corners of the earth we travel with you and because of you ! It is such a privilege to share in your adventures Patti ! Lots of inspiration for The Melting perhaps . Safe travels on this amazing tour !
.
Thanks for bringing us with you on your travels, Patti.
Fascinating. I was near here years ago on my first trip to Europe.
So bleak and precious.
Bleak and precious -- yes.
The Last Seed...Thank goodness Dow Chemical doesn't have them all. Thank you for sharing this view of your journey...
Thank you, Patti . . . this is truly fascinating! Love the pictures and video - the Seed Bank, enveloping mist - feeling the connection to The Melting. Seeing the beauty of the white reindeer and appreciating them from a distance so as not to disturb . . . wonderful. Seeing and feeling the consequences of climate change, however, provides a somber backdrop.
Ambience
How wonderful to see film and photographs of the Seed Bank and environs, with their invocation of The Melting, but how sad that we live in a world that needs such a repository. Thank you for the glimpse of that remote part of our planet and the flickering hope brought by those stored seeds.
Speaking of Father's Day, my sons helped me pay for a ticket to your show in Toronto this August with The National. I've seen you pretty much every time you've played here but I wasn't certain how I could justify the expenditure this time around. I am so excited. What a great Father's Day.
I’m so happy that you’ll get to see Patti, Jim. A wonderful Father’s Day gift, indeed.
Absolutely wonderful. Thanks Robin.
Wow! That is indeed a wonderful present, I bet you will enjoy it too!
Yes, Jayne. I am so looking forward to it.
What a wonderful gift from your son! Happy Father's Day.
Thank you Lena. It is a terrific gift.
What a perfect Fathers Day gift . I hope you have a wonderful time ( of course you will!) I am planting a seed of hope that Patti will play here in the U.K. sometime not too far ahead in time . Happy Fathers Day Jim !
Thanks Sue. Hope there is a show near you soon.
thank you! So interesting. I have been wanting to go to Svaalbaard for a long time.
So very interesting!!! Love this sojourn
The thing I wonder about is how concern for climate is reconciled with polluting, around-the-world air travel. Buying offsets doesn’t prevent the airplane pollutants from getting into the atmosphere.
I'm one of the few people who has owed to never fly again in order to help the reduction of carbon pollution. I doubt that my very singular sacrifce will do much in the grand scheme of things. In my country (New Zealand), the purchase of offsets to buy and plant trees is now creating a problem of its own....too many trees being planted and it gives an excuse for the real problems not to addressed. I guess we each do what we can in our own way.
We each do, Wing, and every effort counts.
Warmly,
Robin
Thank you for the short video clip and photos. That must have been amazing, I imagine you would have liked to spend more time there to write and reflect. This tour looks amazing!
Wow! It's so quiet. And beautiful. I've always wanted to travel to places where there is continual daylight for days on end! I can imagine sleeping is difficult. I often wonder what happens to animals and wildlife who are nocturnal? Enjoy your trip.
In the 1980's we moved to Anchorage, Alaska in the summer with our two young children. We were able to live in an apartment building owned by a Native Church with ties to Nome, Alaska. For the first few nights I attempted to keep to our regular schedule and bedtimes, but Ursula and Billy could hear the other kids playing outside for for hours as the sunlight continued. I remembered "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." and thereafter let them play outside late with others in the wonderful "Midnight Sun" days. For the 4th of July, fireworks were scheduled for around 10:30 or 11 pm. but it still was not completely dark. Such a magical time.
This is something that I have wondered about too, Danielle. I don’t understand it well, but I know that the theory of how light affects the circadian cycle and activity levels of diurnal and nocturnal animals is known as Aschoff’s Rule, after the German physician and behavioral physiologist Jürgen Aschoff. The rule suggests that light intake suppresses sleep and promotes activity among diurnal animals, and vice-versa for nocturnal animals. So nocturnal animals sleep a lot more during continuous light but they do adapt and are able to find food and survive.
Thank you, Robin!
Thank you for bringing the subject to mind, Danielle.
Warmly,
Robin
Entering the Svalbard World Seed Storage is a rare experience. It is the hope for the future of mankind, just like the satellites carrying music to the far reaches of the universe. Patti, it's incredible to look at a map of these islands at such high latitudes, it's a wonder you made it there. Global warming must be going on. The air is clear and there doesn't seem to be much infection, but take care of yourself and have a good trip.
Thank you! This is the original storage area. The current one is not open to ANY visitors. Everything is done to protect the precious seeds. The old one is open for limited visits for historical purposes. I will post a picture of the exterior of the present underground seed bank.
I appreciate your reply, Patti.I see. I look forward to your next photo. I will definitely pray that you get a good night's sleep, have fun and don't get tired.
Pictures of the seeds in the warehouse are invaluable. Thank you.
It looks like the last scene of the animated movie Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind
A few years ago, when I had extended time off from work, I googled, "what's the most remote place on Earth." The answer often came up with "Svalbard." So, I went there for a few weeks. It was like visiting another planet. I loved it.
What an amazing thing to have done, Greg. Thank you for telling us.
Extraordinary
Thank you, Patti. You look like a true adventurer in your headgear.
I think I would off myself if I lived there for more than three weeks tho the mountains are beautiful and I would love the fog.
God bless you Patti, and the precious seed bank. And please take care out there.
Always with you ❤️
Thanks for letting us see what it looks like.
Thank you for sharing this, Patti. It's a place that I will probably never get to visit, so seeing it through you is a blessing.
I feel the same, Viola.
Fascinating and beautiful, my spouse and I visited the land of the midnight sun and were so amazed at how life and the seasons near the north pole can be so strangely different!
Thank you! How hauntingly hopeful. I almost feel like I’m there—in the grey coolness of the seeds. Gratitude for sharing!
seems a bit bleak and yet the seed bank and first hand evidence of our changing climate makes Svalbard such a unique place, thank you Patti for taking us there.
Thank you for this post! It is thrilling to see and hear about this part of the world.
awesome
Wow! Amazing to be there and sing and take it all in.. thank you for all you do..❤️❤️❤️
Thank you so much for sharing! :)
Thanks for sharing your enlightening experiences. Seeds are the most wonderful and magical thing there is.
Walking the walk! Not merely mystifying within the mystic Melting myth,
but there you are illuminating the seed!
Wow. Is this the closest that Continental Drifter Number 23 has been to the North Pole?
Wonderful question
Actually, I probably should have asked if this was the closest ANY member of the Continental Drift Club has gotten to the North Pole!
Indeed!
So remote! It‘s probably a stupid question, but do they have many concerts with internationally known performers up there? It does seem a bit off the beaten track.
I am reading Sam's The One Inside. Absolutely wonderful. That and your Book of Days are on my bedside. On top of each other. In a stack. You are in my other stacks. It warms my heart. I love your writing and have been a follower for years... seeds are the future of the earth... best.
Thank you for taking us there.
Thank you, so very special to see this, even on photo's.
What an adventure! I'm so happy to know about the seed bank. Thank you for sharing this with us.
There’s a great novel about a Svalbard hermit: The Memoirs of Stockholm Sven. I think you’d like it!
The Seed Bank is one of the coolest ideas anybody ever had. I am fascinated by it.
Hope you get some decent sleep soon, Patti! I would love to experience daylight around the clock someday.
Nice to hear from you!
It seems like you all have a good time over there. Experience and explore. Tonight I’ll also meet The Boss for the first time in my life at TWClassic (Belgium).I hope he plays Because The Night. Nice memories 😉.
I hope you have a wonderful time
You are an amazing woman, Patti.