The Polar Mediterranean : past, present, and future of a social imaginary

Abstract

The Arctic is a vast and sparsely populated region with a unique biodiversity, a rich geography, and a variety of local cultures. In historical terms, it is also a relatively newly-discovered territory, as far as Western and Southern societies are concerned. Its remoteness and inaccessibility have largely contributed to a prolonged lack of information regarding the region, making the Arctic an enigmatic place for a very long time. Thus, southern social imaginaries have typically conceived of the North as a frozen and inhospitable area, depriving it of much interest. However, during the first part of the 20th century, the anthropologist and explorer Vilhjalmur Stefansson unveiled many mysteries about the Arctic. Throughout his life and writings, he tried to modify at least as many inaccurate and now old-fashioned imaginings and imaginaries about the Arctic. A promoter of the North, he highlighted the potential and opportunities of this region, based on his empirical studies, personal experiences and extensive interactions with Native populations. Furthermore, Stefansson suggested that, in the upcoming future, the Arctic region could be seen as a place similar to the Mediterranean region: an important socio-cultural, economic and political hub. The concept of the Polar Mediterranean Imaginary was thus proposed by him over a century ago, in 1920, and intended to give the Arctic a central role, due to its geostrategic location, which bridges the Atlantic with the Pacific Ocean and connect three continents (Asia, America, and Europe). Notwithstanding his research and advocacy, the solidification of any new imaginary requires time and an efficient communication network in order to encroach upon and supersede previous ones. Past and present events (e.g., global conflicts, scientific and technologic developments) contribute as well to determining how the Arctic is shaped and understood today. In particular, the contemporary trends of globalization and climate change are making the North more and more connected and interconnected, especially through the rise of transpolar routes, which represent an opportunity for the affirmation of the Arctic’s central role, along the lines envisioned by Vilhjalmur Stefansson and his Polar Mediterranean Imaginary one hundred years ago.