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“Because of Covid we have lost tourists who are our only source of economic livelihood. Here on the east coast of Greenland it is a tragedy and to survive as expired food, I cannot do anything else, I have to be satisfied. Italian explorer Robert Peroni speaks to Agi from the study of his cabin in Tasiilaq, a remote village along the east coast of Greenland. To get to this place between the magical and the enchanting where the Inuit live, around 1,900 people, the least difficult connection is to arrive with a flight of about two hours from Reykjavik in Iceland.
Greenland Explorer Robert Peroni: “I have lived with the Inuit for 39 years: before we used sleds, now we use boats”
Peroni, 76, from South Tyrol, via Skype from his Red House, a symbolic building for the Inuit community that quickly transformed from a simple gathering place to a recovery center for young alcoholics, as well as a hotel for tourists, account this tragic 2020. under the economic aspect. “Since last March 12, when Iceland closed the borders to us, everything had ended. In summer the tourists came mainly from Germany and in August also from Italy. Too bad, because Italians were growing and were more and more interested in these places immersed in unspoiled nature – says Peroni -. In winter the tourists were mainly Germans but also French, Americans and in recent years we have seen some Chinese and Japanese. Now nothing at all, I am here just to dream of a better future preparing tourism deals for 2021. I asked myself, why does a person come to Greenland and spend so much money on air travel? The answer was, ‘you have to offer week-long packages to experience what this wonderful land really is.’, Clean the house, I have been forced to lay off the 74 employees and the 55 beds are dramatically empty. Over the years we have grown, I have also invested in imports. anti, our Red House now consists of six houses, four I have given to the employees to use, so that at least they have a roof over their heads ”.
In recent weeks, in aid of Peroni, following the elimination of international tourism, the campaign has been launched on gofund.me, “Save the Red House in East Greenland!”. Speaking of the Covid-19 pandemic on the immense white continent that is not completely independent because it is controlled by the Kingdom of Denmark, Peroni talks about the many difficulties. “The Greenland government is right to shut down everything because it could not bear the consequences of a pandemic, we have had 17 cases throughout Greenland. If the virus reached Tasiilaq here it would be a tragedy because our hospital (12-13 beds, ed) does not it is equipped and therefore would be transferred to the capital Nuuk or Denmark. “
Before Christmas, Peroni almost always managed to come to Italy, but this year it was not possible. “Maybe I’ll come back in 2021 but I’m not sure. If I wanted to come to Italy it would be a serious problem also because I no longer have a home and I am no longer a resident,” explains Peroni. With Iceland closed, air travel would have exorbitant costs. The helicopter, Always hoping it wouldn’t be canceled that day due to the weather, I would go to Kulusuk, then Nuuk, then Kangerlussuaq from where I would board the flight to Copenhagen. Once in Europe there would be quarantine. The return? Worse yet. Arriving in Denmark before Returning to Greenland, I would have to wait 5 days and undergo a PCR swab, then I could fly to the west coast where I would have another 5 days stay and another test. Once I finally get home, I am quarantined for another 5 days: impossible “.
Day and night at the door of the house of that guy from South Tyrol with white hair who since 1985 has chosen to help and save Eskimos, young people, women, old people call: they are desperate, alcoholic, hungry and have no money. “Let’s say that the alcohol problem has improved compared to a few years ago, the population has evolved and has begun to listen – says with satisfaction the explorer who in 1983 crossed Greenland on skis from one coast to another, defying the lash of the Piterak, the” Man’s wind “that blows even at 250 kilometers per hour, and ended up falling in love with that wild land – I hardly see anyone, every 4-5 days someone comes to visit me for a coffee, a few minutes and then he leaves. I have a container with a lot of groceries, I also eat expired food because I have to be satisfied. It is not like in Italy where there are so many options, here we have to be happy if some helicopters arrive, the sea is now frozen and ships cannot enter the fjord to supply the only supermarket. “
