The Rock-n-Roll Priest of the North

Johnny Cash in a church?! Yes! Øystein Mathisen is a priest in the North of Norway and is a big fan of the American singer Johnny Cash. To such an extent that Øystein decided to play covers of Johnny Cash songs during his last church service in the north. The congregation, which includes the arctic town of Kirkenes and the fishing village of Bugøynes, is located just a 30-minute drive from the border with Russia. Here Øystein talks about his love for Johnny Cash and how the war in Ukraine impacted this small community in the Arctic. The video is in English with Russian subtitles. Reporter/Camera/Edit: Elizaveta Vereykina Drone footage: Henry Patton Archive photos: Øystein Mathisen, Atle Staalesen The Barents Observer editor: Thoms Nilsen