Cecilie Vahl: Back then, in distant times, in a world of hope…

Cecilie Vahl (1949, Qassiarsuk) is a Greenlandic writer and former teacher whose work draws on family tradition and memories passed down through generations, capturing the history of southern Greenland. She made her debut with the book Angutitaq (A True Man, 2010), followed by Najaaraq (Little Naja, 2013), intended for both younger and adult readers. Both texts are strongly autobiographical in nature and bring together memories of childhood, everyday life, and the cultural environment of the region. Her most ambitious work to date is the novel Ortooraq I (2024), the first part of a planned series inspired by the real lives of pioneers of Greenlandic sheep farming. The book is based on the story of Otto Frederiksen, known as Ortooraq, and his wife Elisabeth (Tiipaaraq), who were among the founders of a sheep farm in 1924 and contributed to the development of pastoral farming in Greenland. Vahl focuses particularly on their youth, family life, and the broader historical context of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Her writing stands out for its emphasis on authenticity, detail, and the interconnection of personal stories with the collective experience of the community.