Melting pot Svalbard - How much freedom is allowed? | DW Documentary

Svalbard Island is known for its snow-capped mountains and unique wildlife. It’s also an international melting pot, but soon all that could change.

Living and working in Svalbard is possible without a visa. The Archipelago belongs to Norway and is a visa-free zone. Its unique status has attracted an international community over the past hundred years. Svalbard mainly attracted coal miners in the past. But in recent years, the number of foreigners in the capital Longyearbyen has risen significantly and now accounts for more than a third of its 2,000 inhabitants. One of the main industries is tourism, but artists and scientists have also been drawn to the Far North. The Norwegian authorities have been concerned about the growing numbers of foreigners and have restricted their right to vote. Foreigners now feel increasingly marginalized and are protesting, including those who were afraid to speak out due to their precarious situation.

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