Nocturne

The Blue Time

For two months a year, in a small Norwegian city, the sun never goes above the horizon. One researcher visits to find out why its citizens are happy despite the lack of light.

By Vanessa Lowe • Feb 12, 2019 • 27m Listen

There are two main definitions of The Blue Time – the first is the time just before sunrise when everything in the world has a blue tinge to it. The farther north you go, the longer the blue time in the winter. The second definition is that time when you’re depressed, time moves slowly, you feel like you’re in a daze, and like you’re just broken. For many people who live in northern locations, their experience of winter leans heavily toward that second definition.

Music: Nocturne theme music by Kent Sparling

Additional music: Kent Sparling \ Gunnar Madsen \ Jeffrey Foster

Producer: Vanessa Lowe

Other credits: Thanks to the folks who shared their impressions of winter: Brie O'Keefe,Tally Abecassis, Eric Heilman, Thomas Nybergh, Marius, Nila, Segrel, Sal, and Christine.

Thanks to Thomas Nybergh for interviewing and recording people in Helsinki, Finland. He produces the podcast, Very Finnish Problems.

Read more about Kari Leibowitz’s research on Tromsø.

Sound recording of melting ice in Greenland by Jacob Kirkegaard.

Episode artwork: Robin Galante

Vanessa Lowe
Host of "Nocturne"

Culture

Environment

Health & Wellness

Nocturne

The Blue Time

For two months a year, in a small Norwegian city, the sun never goes above the horizon. One researcher visits to find out why its citizens are happy despite the lack of light.

Share

Nocturne

The Blue Time

For two months a year, in a small Norwegian city, the sun never goes above the horizon. One researcher visits to find out why its citizens are happy despite the lack of light.

Share