On Monday, 7th April 2025, inhabitants of Qaqortoq, southern Greenland, were able to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the town. It was found- ed on this date in 1775 by the merchant and farmer Anders Olsen.
The name of the town directly translated into English means ’The white thing’. The Danish name for the town is Julianehaab. Qaqortoq is Greenland’s fourth largest town with just over 3,000 inhabitants and is situated in the most southerly of the five main Greenlandic mu- nicipalities, Kujalleq. Approximately 300 inhabitants in the municipality live in smaller settlements, as well as two reindeer farms and thirteen sheep farms.
History
The colony of Julianeshaab, named after the then Dowager Queen Juliane Marie, gradually became an important trading post, from which the surrounding inhabitants sold their skins and blubber. Trade in skins, blubber and whale meat constituted the colony’s primary source of income for many years. In 1840, the Royal Greenlandic Trade established two trading posts, South and North of Julianehaab, Nordprøven and Sydprøven, now Narsaq and Alluitsup Paa. Sheep farming began in the early 1900s and the district is still at the centre of sheep farming in Greenland today.
Municipal celebrations
The anniversary committee established by Qaqortoq successfully held various events throughout the town and the surrounding villages to celebrate the big day with citizens and visitors alike. The events included a joint church service and wreath laying ceremonies in the settlement of Igaliku and in Qaqortoq.
The actual day of the anniversary, 7th April, was festively marked with this stamp created by a native of the town Bolatta Silis Høegh. Tusass Greenland’s presentation of the stamp featured in the official programme. There was also an event for children and young people, as well as an event fo0r 7al0l t4h2e0in2h5aAbit- ants of the town and invited guests at the local sports hall in the evening. Heartiest congratulations to the inhabitants of Qaqortoq on its 250th anniversary.
