Since the end of the cold war women has traveled from Murmansk and the Barents region of Russia to Kirkenes, in order to sell Russian products and goods.
Yet, for many years, the women who do this travel have experienced bureaucratic hardships with the Norwegian visa regime. Various regulations have limited their activity, and at periods made it expensive.
According to certain sources, they have met restrictions also because of pressure from local businesses that feared competition.
Kirkenes often promotes itself as the borderless town in a borderless county, and the Russian marketplace that takes place once a month and on festivals is often presented as a proof.
Over the past years, visa regulations have changed between Norway and Russia. Visa free travel is now granted for people who live in the border area, but does not extend to Murmansk.
The Russian tradeswomen now have the possibility to come to Norway without a residence permit, like for example workers in the fish factory need. The cost of visas is also lowered, and this has facilitated their business.
Antonina Sheltova lives in Murmansk. She has her own hat shop in the city center, but also travels to Norway to sell Russian products.
In cooperation with: borderstories.no
