Children’s cries are heard in the “childless village”.
For the first time in 55 years, a baby has been born in Vettasjärvi.
– There are many who have stopped by and visited and given presents, says mother Li Nolin, 24.
Three years ago, Li Nolin moved to Vettasjärvi. Then she got the epithet “the youngest in the village”, which is located eight kilometers northwest of Gällivare and has around 65 inhabitants.
– People were probably a bit shocked that young people with no connection to the village moved here. But then they thought it was great fun.
Moving the 60 miles from her home town of Umeå was an easy choice for Li, 24. When things ended with the boyfriend at the time, with whom she moved there, she chose to stay.
– I have lived in bigger cities but it was like nothing for me. I enjoy being out here in the village. You have the cohesion and can always go to the neighbor and ask for help, she says.
Jon and Li met online, after only a month or so Li became pregnant and Jon, who lived 55 kilometers away, moved to Vettasjärvi. Photo: Private
The pram an unusual sight
In March, love Jon Bertilsson, 24, moved in – and became the second youngest in the village. And since September, it is their daughter Elle-Aila who has taken over the role of the village’s youngest – something that has spread great joy in the village, which P4 Norrbotten has also noticed.
– Many people want to look at the little miracle and at the beginning people said “you are a little surprised when you see the pram when you are out walking around the village”, says Li Nolin and continues:
– There is even a book about Vettasjärvi called “The childless village”, which was published there in the 80s. But now that is no longer true.
There are children living in the neighboring villages so Li is not worried that Elle-Aila would not have playmates. Photo: Private
Attracts tourists to the village
In the village, Li is busy. Among other things, she rents cottages to tourists.
They are mainly looking for three things: snow, northern lights and reindeer. All three now supply the village during the winter to the tourists who come from all over the world, from Asia to Germany, France and the United States, says Li.
– If it’s clear outside, you can see the northern lights almost every day now. They think it’s exotic and can come and knock on the door to tell you that it’s the northern lights outside, but you’ve seen that a few times yourself.
One of the cottages Li rents out to tourists. Photo: Private
Li also runs an unmanned shop in the village – an initiative she took when she got tired of the otherwise five-mile journey to the nearest shop – and writes children’s books. When she has time to spare, she works at a gas station a few miles away.
The unmanned shop means that Vettasjärvi residents do not have to drive five miles for an ice cream. Photo: Private
Seeing the future in Vettasjärvi
The village’s three youngsters plan to stay in the village, where they see their future, with plans to expand both the shop and the cottages. But with preschool and later school there will be some commuting.
– Elle-Aila will probably get used to all the commuting, it’s around four miles to the preschool, but it’s worth all those hours in the car to be able to live here, says Li.
In addition to baby snuggles, building a garage is next on the agenda.
– My partner’s greatest wish is to have his own garage. If he’s moved 55 miles, I’ll have to fix something like that.
