In the upcoming week, Miriam Wiskemann, a 27-year-old student studying art, will take on the role of the sole caretaker of an unpopulated island located near the coast of Sweden. The small island, named Marsten, measures 180 meters by 50 meters and is frequented by kayakers and paddle boarders during the summer months. However, the island is predominantly inhabited by a colony of cormorants for the majority of the year.
Miriam, one of the fortunate winners of a competition organized by Visit Sweden, will need to give up her guardianship by June 2027. Visit Sweden’s purpose for the competition, as stated on their website, is to highlight that true luxury is not about extravagance but rather about time, space, and equilibrium.
Alongside a travel voucher worth 20,000 Swedish krona, which is approximately £1,590, Miriam and four other winners from different parts of the world will receive a year-long right-of-use agreement for the island. It should be noted that the prize does not include permanent residency rights as there are no permanent structures on Marsten.
Miriam, currently pursuing an art degree, plans to visit Marsten in September to gather inspiration for her final illustration project. She emphasized that the true reward lies in the journey itself.
Originally from Dusseldorf, Germany, Miriam is studying at the Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design. She expressed her ambition to pursue a master’s degree in Stockholm, the capital city of Sweden.
Having lived in Sweden for a year, Miriam shared with the German news agency dpa her appreciation for the country’s relaxed lifestyle compared to Germany. She stated that the upcoming trip to the island will be her primary focus for the rest of the term.
She mentioned, “I plan to explore the island by bike and draw inspiration from the surroundings. The opportunity to travel there is a significant influence for me.”
Miriam added, “The Swedish landscape and the distinct seasonal changes have always been a source of inspiration for my art.”
Marsten is situated within a group of islands approximately four miles off Sweden’s west coast. With Sweden boasting over 267,000 islands along its shores, the competition aimed to shine a light on these hidden treasures.
The “Your Swedish Island” campaign by VisitSweden received nearly 2,500 applications from 100 countries. The other winners originate from Canada, the United States, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. Each winner will act as the guardian of their respective remote island for the upcoming year.
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