The latest issue of the international Arctic journal Inter-Nord (Issue 24) has recently been published online by the Malaurie Institute of Arctic Research Monaco-UVSQ (MIARCTIC). The new issue places a special focus on Alaska, presenting a rich blend of scientific research, cultural perspectives, interviews, and artistic contributions.
Founded in 1960 by Professors Jean Malaurie and Fernand Braudel, Inter-Nord is the only French Arctic review that is both international and interdisciplinary, welcoming contributions in both French and English. Over decades of publication, the journal has become an essential platform for Arctic scholarship, combining scientific research with essays, interviews, creative writing, and artistic work focused on northern regions.
The issue’s visual identity reflects its Alaska focus from the outset. Both the front and back covers feature three Yup’ik masks collected in the early 20th century by Moravian missionaries and now held by the Moravian Historical Society in Nazareth, Pennsylvania. The editors express their gratitude to the Society for granting permission to reproduce these rare and significant images. The front cover also includes a photograph taken by Bruce Jackson during a 1997 field trip to Nome and its surrounding region with Jean Malaurie, adding a historical and documentary dimension to the issue. Several of Jackson’s photographs appear throughout the journal.
Contributions dedicated to Alaska form the core of Inter-Nord 24. These include three peer-reviewed scientific articles, alongside two student research papers from the University of Vienna based on fieldwork in Alaska. The student section is introduced by Peter Schweitzer and Olga Povoroznyuk, highlighting emerging scholarship and the importance of field-based research in Arctic studies.
The issue also features two in-depth interviews that bring personal and contemporary perspectives to the fore. One interview, conducted by Daniel Chartier, explores the work of Iñupiaq contemporary artist Aisa Warden, while another, conducted by Benjamin Ferguson, presents the memories of Mrs Lyn Trodahl Chynoweth, who grew up at Nunapitsinghak, the site of the Moravian Children’s Home on the Kwethluk River, a tributary of the Kuskokwim. In addition, the Alaska section includes polar readings by Muriel Brot.
Beyond Alaska-focused content, Inter-Nord 24 pays tribute to British poet and anthropologist Tom Lowenstein, who passed away in March 2025 at the age of 83. Lowenstein was widely known for his acclaimed book Ancient Land: Sacred Whale and for his long engagement with Arctic cultures, particularly in Alaska. The issue republishes two extended excerpts from his work, accompanied by French translations by Professor Hélène Aji of the École normale supérieure in Paris. These translations were originally prepared for an international conference organised by Jean Malaurie during the Fourth International Polar Year in 2007. The editors also recall Lowenstein’s earlier contribution to Inter-Nord and note his later book, The Structure of Days Out (2021), which they describe as deserving wider recognition.
In addition to the Alaska section, the issue includes three peer-reviewed scientific articles in the “Varia” section, underscoring the journal’s openness to Arctic-related research across disciplines and regions. A viewpoint article further adds to the diversity of perspectives presented.
With its interdisciplinary scope, attention to cultural heritage, and commitment to both established and emerging voices, Inter-Nord 24 continues the journal’s long-standing tradition of offering a multifaceted exploration of the Arctic.
Source: Malaurie Institute of Arctic Research Monaco-UVSQ (Miarctic.org)