Jokkmokk Marknad is a winter fair, held the first weekend in February each year in Jokkmokk. The market has very ancient roots. It is to come after an edict from King Charles IX to establish market places in Lapland.
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Jokkmokk Marknad has a long history and is regarded as an unbroken tradition for over 400 years. Permanent marketplaces near Sami vintervisten was instituted by the Swedish Crown in the early 1600s in all the patch lands on both sides of the Gulf of Bothnia. The aim was to strengthen the state's grip on the population in the north and collect taxes, keep cooking things and spread the word of God. A market in Lapland during the coldest time of year had many advantages.
Today is mixed on the market the usual market bangs with vendors of local crafts and Sami products and is therefore one of the most interesting of the Swedish markets to visit. Jokkmokk market celebrated its 400th anniversary in the market in 2005.
When the market is held in February, and since Jokkmokk is located above the Arctic Circle, she will often be very cold. It is not uncommon that the average temperature in the market is below 25 degrees below zero. Therefore, warm clothing is a necessity if you will spend much time outdoors.
The market is still a gathering place for the Sami people from all over Sapmi. The Sami people were gathered in their vintervisten in forest areas with winter grazing of reindeer, and the frozen waters became excellent fairways of merchants, government servants and the clergy.