Located in northern Norway, near Tromso, Sommaroy Island has become a global hot topic with an unusual request from its residents who want to escape the pressure of time. On this island, where even the nights are bright, the locals want to completely abandon the concept of clocks, which they see as a stress and pressure factor. Setting out with the desire to live independently of time zones, the islanders aim to create a freer and more flexible lifestyle by realizing their dream of a society without clocks.
General Information About Sommaroy Island
Sommaroy, in the Troms region of Norway is a former fishing village located in the west of Tromso Municipality. Located approximately 36 kilometres west of Tromso, the village is a popular tourist destination known for its white sandy beaches and impressive views. Covering an area of 0.41 square kilometres (100 acres), Sommaroy has a population of 304 as of 2023, giving a population density of 741 people per square kilometre.
Sommaroy covers the island of Store Sommaroya and part of the neighbouring island of Hillesoya and surrounding smaller islands. A traditional fishing village, Sommaroy is known for its large fishing fleet and important fish processing facilities. The village is also an important tourist destination, with accommodation options including a hotel and cabins for rent.
On the island of Sommaroy from May 18 to July 26, that is, The sun never sets for 69 days. This period of uninterrupted daylight lasts from November to January and “polar nights” It is followed by a long, dark period known as the Arctic Circle, during which the sun never rises because it is located north of the Arctic Circle.
In June 2019, Innovation Norway announced that the residents of Sommaroy would be able to ”The world’s first timeless region” and launched a marketing campaign announcing that they wanted to declare the island as the official clock.
This idea advocated that the islanders should be freed from the constraints of time and live a more flexible life. For example, doing work at midnight or sleeping in the afternoon was intended to enable people to do activities without being tied to clocks. This campaign attracted great interest worldwide.
Sommaroy Island Residents’ Demand for a Clockless Life Against Stress
The inhabitants of the island of Sommaroy, The first society in the world not to use clocks It aims to be. According to the news on the Norwegian Public Broadcaster NRK, this island, where approximately 300 people live, The concept of time causes stress He took action to eliminate the use of watches altogether.
The islanders reached a consensus in a meeting they organized to apply to the parliament to abolish the time application. Due to the location of the island, even the nights are bright, which is a significant factor in the daily lives of the islanders. they don’t need a clock was highlighted as another reason.
Kjell Ove Hveding, the leader of the initiative, told NRK: “People around the world suffer from stress and depression. One of the main reasons for this is the feeling of not being able to keep up with life, and the clock plays a big role in this. We want to be a time-zone-independent region where everyone can live their lives to the fullest,” he said.
Hveding said their aim was to help the islanders “flexibility” And a life independent of the clock He said that the island’s shops will be able to operate without being tied to a specific time zone. Likewise, those who go to school and work will be able to benefit from this flexibility and will be free from the restrictions of time zones. “Do you want to mow the lawn at 4am? Feel free to do so,” he added.
The islanders have adopted a life without a clock and to symbolize this, He hung his wristwatches on the bridge at the entrance of the island. Hveding stated, “When you come here, throw away your watch and live your life,” He called for a life independent of time zones in Sommaroy.
To join our WhatsApp group CLICK!
