Partisankveld på Nordpol Kro

About Partisankveld på Nordpol Kro

Right after the opening of the Pomor Festival, you have a unique opportunity to learn more about this lesser-known chapter of Norwegian war history. We guarantee it will be fascinating for history enthusiasts when author and journalist Per Kristian Olsen and Jakob Mikkelsen from Kramvik meet for a conversation. It should also be noted that Per Kristian Olsen is working on a new and updated book about the Partisans coming in 2026.

Often the Partisan history is largely highlighted in Kiberg. We are therefore very pleased that this time the Partisan stories will be brought to the forefront at Nordpol Kro. Welcome!

The first German soldiers arrived in Vardø and Kiberg in August 1940. Few anticipated what the Nazis had planned after the Narvik front fell on June 8th. The stream of soldiers continued throughout autumn and fortifications and barracks were built for a large army.

During autumn 1940, several families crossed the Varangerfjord in their fishing vessels to the Soviet Union to receive weapons training. Already in October 1940, the first Partisans were sent back to their homeland to gather information about the situation in the Varanger region.

The Partisans consisted of a group of 45 soldiers and an unknown number of informants and helpers. 17 soldiers survived and at least as many were tortured or killed in combat. After the war, the survivors became subject to persecution and surveillance.

Excerpt from the Partisan Museum.

Photos