ARCTICulators: Craig Alibone og Mike Mlynarczyk
What exactly is an ARCTICulator? The innovative people of the Arctic who live life in creativity, and much more…
We met up with Craig and Mike who are both from international backgrounds, and have created their own universe of culture in Bodø. How did you end up moving here?
Craig:
I was fortunate enough to meet my girlfriend who is from Bodø back in 2004, so Bodø is a city I visited quite often before I eventually moved here in 2014.
As an Englishman travelling to Northern Norway I was charmed by the incredible nature, the warmth of the people and the fantastic traditions. I was immediately intrigued to life above the Arctic circle.
Once we decided to reside in Norway we knew Bodø was the place for us.
Mike:
That’s a good story!
It all started when me and few of my friends at the university back home in Warsaw wanted to go abroad to see northern lights. Mystique lights that are on everyone’s bucket list to see them at least once in the lifetime. Little did I know then – I would end up living underneath them. We were considering going to Iceland or Svalbard at first but both turned out to be too expensive destinations for first year students. So we decided to come to Norway as it was very well connected with Poland via low cost airlines. Then the only thing left for us was to find out how to get as far up north as possible. We heard about The North Cape – but in Poland where you can get everywhere by bus or train and it is fairly cheap, here it was not a case. Not only was it a very long distance but also the only way to get there, back then, was with an expensive flight.
So we thought let’s take a train and go as far as we can! And the place that turned out to be the last station of the Norwegian railway is Bodø!
I spent a couple of days here and really connected with the place!
Went back home and the following summer when I decided to go abroad to work I decided to come here again.
Making a long story short – I got fascinated with the place, people, nature and the Arctic culture. And decided to stay here.
Culture is a big word, and in Bodø2024 we believe culture is in everything we live and breathe. Can you point out what it is in Arctic culture that inspires you most in your daily work?
Craig:
In order to be good at my job I feel its necessary to know my surroundings, know the people and their traditions.
I spent many years in Norway before deciding to start my entrepreneurial career. In this time I wanted to learn how people interact, what they like to do and experience, and most importantly what can I do to make people lives a little more luxurious and exciting.
I have family in Hamarøy, a fantastic place to forage fresh berries which we use in our pâtisserie.
We use salt from Saltstraumen, cheese from Kjerringøy and Misvær.
So I would say the inspiration comes from the people and the passion I have to give the people something unique and contribute to the growing culture in Bodø.
Mike:
For me Arctic culture given my profession and passions is so much about its culinary heritage and food culture. Everyday at LystPå I get to work with Norwegian produce trying to source the best we can from our Arctic region – fresh seafood of the highest quality, local sourced meet, more and more vegetables and sometimes even fruits.
But not only that – Norway is one of the countries with highest coffee consumption in the world and we in the Arctic are for sure a great example of it. Enjoying our warm freshly brewed coffees every crispy Arctic morning – which I definitely do after I wake up and during the day. That inspires us at Alibone to search for the best coffees we can get and serve for our guests.
Nature here is a place that makes my relaxed and inspired. Outdoor activities are a big part of the local culture too! Every hike is like a meditation and helps me clean my mind. Love going out in the mountains or even just out for a walk to breath the arctic air and charge my energy.
What type of cultural acitivites in the region do you enjoy personally, and makes you feel connected to your surroundings?
Craig:
I love to explore and dine, so I like eat out and try new restaurants or spend the night at somewhere like Fleinvær or Manshausen. This is a great way to experience the cultural surrounds and unwind.
Bodø is engulfed by beautiful nature. Something which is impossible to not be impressed by. So hiking in the mountains or gazing at the northern lights is fantastic.
Mike:
Most definitely the restaurant culture, local culinary experiences and searching for new flavours and tastes.
Outdoor activities are also the ones that make me feel connected to our place a lot.
I really enjoy art exhibitions and the NorlandiART project .
Bodø2024 defines you both as portraits of ARCTICulators, joining the new northern movement. What advice would you like to give to other international movers joining the Bodø-culture?
Craig:
My advice would be to embrace where you are, embrace the culture. Bodø is a very unique place.
Being part of this growing city can define your future. There are very few places in the world that boast so much freedom, calmness and city living rolled into one.
Mike:
Take it all in! Stay open minded and let it carry you. Come, visit us, try our culture, our food, our ways of spending free time, go for a hike, enjoy the nature and let it inspire you.
Who should be featured next as a good ARCTICulator in the region? Let us know by messaging us!