❄️ Explore the Arctic Through the Lens of Place Names: GeoNight 2025 in Kirkenes

 On April 4th, 2025, the far northern town of Kirkenes, Norway, becomes a hub for critical geographic reflection as it hosts a compelling Arctic Night of Geography under the global umbrella of GeoNight 2025. Themed “Toponymic Geopolitics in Border Areas and Polar Regions,” this event promises a deep dive into the power of place names at the very edges of nations.

📍 Location: Wiulls gate 3, Kirkenes, Norway
🕒 Time: 15:00 local time
🌍 Language: English
🎓 Organizer: Dr. Ekaterina Mikhailova, Associate Professor in Border Studies, Barents Institute, University of Tromsø
🔎 Type: In-person academic session

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🧭 What to Expect

This GeoNight event will explore how place names are far more than just labels on a map — they are tools of power, memory, and identity. With a foundation in Critical Toponymy (the study of place names through social and political lenses), the discussion will highlight recent research into toponymic geopolitics, particularly in borderlands and polar territories where names often serve as markers of contestation and cooperation alike.

💬 After a thought-provoking presentation, the event will conclude with a fun and interactive quiz to test your geographical and political naming knowledge.

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🧠 Why You Should Attend

• Discover how naming places can shape political narratives and territorial claims

• Learn about real-world case studies from the Arctic and other sensitive geopolitical zones

• Connect with others interested in geography, border studies, and naming practices

• Be part of a truly global celebration of geography through GeoNight

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This event is part of GeoNight 2025, an annual international initiative organized by EUGEO and the IGU (International Geographical Union) to bring geographic knowledge closer to the public.

Whether you're a student, researcher, or simply curious about how the world is named and claimed — Kirkenes is the place to be on April 4th.

👉 Stay tuned for more program details and a possible livestream link.
🔗 Visit www.geonight.net for other events around the world!