Talking Statue of Arnarulunnguaq to Travel Through Danish Cities
The Talking Statue of Arnarulunnguaq is set to embark on a tour across several Danish cities starting this summer. This unique interactive statue brings to life the story of Arnarulunnguaq, a Greenlandic heroine who played a vital role in the historic Thule Expedition. Visitors can listen to her story in Greenlandic, Danish, and English by simply scanning a QR code with their mobile phones.
On July 30th at 4 PM, the statue will be unveiled in the garden of Lundeborg in Svendborg, marking the first stop of the tour. This is the very first statue ever created to honor the Greenlandic woman who was an indispensable partner to the explorer Knud Rasmussen during one of the most challenging Arctic expeditions in history.
The Thule Expedition and Knud Rasmussen
Knud Rasmussen, a Danish-Inuit explorer and anthropologist, is often called the father of Arctic exploration. Born in Greenland in 1879 to a Danish missionary father and an Inuit mother, Rasmussen grew up fluent in both Danish and Inuit languages and cultures. His deep understanding of Arctic life and indigenous peoples shaped his life’s work.
Between 1912 and 1913, Rasmussen led the Fifth Thule Expedition, a remarkable journey covering over 18,000 kilometers on foot across the Arctic. The goal was to study and document the cultures of the Inuit people spread across Greenland, Canada, and Alaska. This expedition is considered one of the longest and most demanding sled journeys ever undertaken.
What made this journey even more extraordinary was the harshness of the conditions: temperatures plunged to as low as minus 50 degrees Celsius, and the team traveled without modern conveniences such as snowmobiles or helicopters. Instead, they relied on sled dogs and their own resilience to navigate the vast, frozen wilderness.
Arnarulunnguaq’s Crucial Role
Arnarulunnguaq, a Greenlandic woman of remarkable strength and endurance, was Rasmussen’s right hand throughout this expedition. Raised in the unforgiving Arctic environment, she possessed an intimate knowledge of survival skills essential for enduring extreme cold and navigating the icy terrain. Her expertise and companionship were vital to the success of the journey, yet her story has long been overshadowed in the historical record.
The Talking Statue project aims to change that by giving Arnarulunnguaq her rightful place in history. Through the statue’s interactive technology, visitors hear her story in her own voice—brought to life by actress and poet Aka Niviâna Mørch Pedersen—in Greenlandic, Danish, and English.
A Cultural Bridge and Living History
Svendborg Municipality supports the project, partly because of its longstanding friendship with the Greenlandic town of Aasiaat. The statue serves not only as a tribute to Arnarulunnguaq but also as a cultural bridge, connecting communities across Denmark and Greenland through shared history and heritage.
After spending about four weeks in Svendborg, the statue will travel by truck to Nakskov, then Aalborg, and finally Kerteminde during the summers of 2026 and 2027. This tour gives people throughout Denmark the chance to engage with this important story, fostering greater awareness and appreciation of Arctic history and the vital roles played by indigenous people.
The statue was created in collaboration with Galleri Svinestien on Funen by artist Sys Hindsbo, together with Cuban artists Arcadio and Ruben, blending diverse artistic influences to bring this story to life.
How to Experience the Talking Statue
Visitors simply bring their mobile phones and scan the QR code displayed on the statue. Arnarulunnguaq will then call them, sharing her story and asking questions to create an interactive and personal experience that deepens understanding and reflection.