After the closure of Nuuk’s iconic Atuagkat Boghandel, Greenland no longer has a single bookstore. The consequences affect readers, publishers and writers across the island.
The last bookstore in Greenland shuts its doors
In mid-January 2025, Atuagkat Boghandel, the last remaining bookstore in Greenland and the oldest in the country, closed permanently. The shop, founded in 1966, had become a cultural landmark in Nuuk and throughout the island. Located near the Brugseni supermarket in the heart of the capital, the premises are now occupied by a hair salon.
The closure followed the decision of its former owner, Claus Jordening, to return to Troense, in southern Denmark, with his family after more than three decades in Nuuk. Despite trying to sell the bookstore at a low price, Jordening was unable to find a successor. “It’s very sad,” he said. “The story of Atuagkat was a love story—like every story about books.”
Where to find books now? Museums, souvenir shops and the web
With no bookstore left, Greenlanders must look elsewhere for books. In Nuuk, some are available at Anori Art, a souvenir and local art shop with two locations near the coast and Nuuk Center, and at the Brugseni supermarket, which sells children’s books. However, these are limited selections and cannot replace the variety and expertise once offered by Atuagkat.
Some authors, such as activist and publisher Aka Hansen, regularly visit Anori Art to check on sales and restock titles published by Uilu Stories. Since Atuagkat closed, more readers have come looking for books there.
Online platforms now represent the main channel for accessing literature in Greenland. Locally available Greenlandic titles ship quickly to Nuuk, but books from Danish or other European publishers may take weeks to arrive unless fast (and costly) shipping is chosen. On average, standard deliveries from Europe or North America can take up to a month.
A cultural void and the challenges of literary life in Greenland
More than just a store, Atuagkat was a hub for community life and literary exchange. It hosted book presentations (though Nuuk’s cultural centre Katuaq also serves this purpose), and many residents would stop by for book recommendations or simply a chat.
“These are hard times for Greenland’s publishing industry and bookstores in general,” said Paul Cohen, a translator based in Narsaq. “People here read fewer books, and homes are increasingly dominated by huge flat-screen TVs.”
Greenlandic literature still maintains a strong oral tradition, notes Katti Frederiksen, author, editor, and board member of the writers’ association (Kalaallit Atuakkiortut). Many of the 20–30 books published annually are aimed at children, helping them “develop their identity through their language [Greenlandic] and culture” in a process of decolonisation.
Titles such as Pilu by Uilu Pedersen draw on traditional myths, while Taartumi Sulugissarpoq by Paarnaq Rosing explores the relationship between people and nature. In nonfiction, Arnarulunnguaq by Pauline Knudsen recounts the life of the little-known woman who played a key role in explorer Knud Rasmussen’s three-year expedition. And in fiction, Qaamarngup Taartullu Akisugunnerinni by Lisathe Møller—set in 2030 but reflecting contemporary societal change—was recently nominated for the Nordisk Råds litteraturpris (Nordic Council Literature Prize).
A literary future beyond brick-and-mortar stores?
While some hope remains that a new generation will revive the independent book scene, Greenland’s geographic and demographic constraints continue to make such ventures extremely difficult. With no road connections between towns and communities reachable only by air or sea, distributing and promoting books remains a logistical challenge.
The closure of Atuagkat Boghandel is a stark reminder of the fragility of cultural infrastructure in remote regions. For now, the preservation and development of Greenlandic literature will depend on creative adaptation—through online platforms, local initiatives, and the enduring commitment of readers, authors, and small publishers.
