The Reindeer-Lion, sculpture by NORDTING
All the Nordic kingdoms have lions as their guardians. Lions have little to do with the Nordics, and even less to do with the Arctic. But the lion is an ancient symbol of the king and royal power. In front of the Norwegian Parliament, the Swedish Royal Castle and the Danish throne, there are lions in granite, bronze and solid silver. They are guarding the king, the church, and centralized power.
Those lions must lose their heads, and get new ones.
The Reindeer-Lion is the circumpolar north’s own creature. It has a body of power, but with a completely different head; it thinks differently, it has a different agenda. The Reindeer-Lion is the sphinx, griffin and guardian spirit of the North.
The Reindeer-Lion will be unveiled on Renmarkstorget in central Umeå/Ubmeje for the Arctic Arts Summit, 2026.