The Arctic Centre of the University of Lapland is pleased to announce the opening of its fully renewed permanent exhibition on 18th of April, 2007, in Arktikum house in Rovaniemi. The exhibition opening is one of the highlights of Finnish IPY activities.

"The Arctic in Change" exhibition offers the visitors a journey through the Arctic world today. The exhibition promotes the natural beauty and the cultural richness of the Arctic, while it informs the visitors about the ongoing rapid social and environmental changes occurring in the fragile Arctic.

Set up in a friendly environment, the exhibition combines multimedia shows, interactive stations, artefacts and photo enlargements. The exhibition revolves around the ongoing changes in the Arctic and illuminates the relationship between global and local issues. It is divided into four main sections, starting from a basic introduction to the Arctic and ending with questioning about the future in a very positive way. In between, the survival of strategies of humans and nature are colourfully presented and the ongoing issues are interactively explained. In the exhibition, the visitors can also experience the coldness and the magic of blue ice in a stylish cold room. Finally, the northern lights theatre offers a place where the visitors can simply lay down and peacefully enjoy the northern lights show on the ceiling.

The thematic content is based on the latest scientific inputs of arctic researchers and the exhibition aim to positively promote the idea that the way towards sustainability is possible through a common and international effort.

The opening completes a major three years' and two million euros' renewing project funded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the State Provincial of Lapland and by the University of Lapland.

Visitors, participants and attendants are also warmly welcome to take part in the Arctic Week program which includes the scientific conference "Power and Knowledge in the Arctic", opening of an art exhibition, the Intimate Absence, at Rovaniemi Art Museum and meetings by specialized groups like Arktis graduate school and a University of Arctic working group. The Arctic Week is commonly organised by the Arctic Centre, the University of Lapland and Rovaniemi city at the occasion of the opening of the new science centre exhibition.

For more information, please go to the Arctic Centre's website.