Aukra

Aukra is a community that plays a vital role in supplying Norwegian gas to Europe. This village seamlessly blends cutting-edge and sustainable technologies with the untamed beauty of the Western Norway. Not to mention, they have a whole lot of facilities for the villagers! In Aukra, the kids in kindergarden and at schools have their own chefs to prepare healthy and delicious food. And that’s just one example.

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-The children have had the opportunity to try so much new, exciting, and delicious food! I also think it's wonderful that all the children are served quality food and get to learn about where the food comes from. They learn that pork chops don't grow on trees, so to speak. In kindergarten, the children bake bread with the cooks and learn about cooking. And as a bonus, all the food waste from the kindergarten is turned into chicken feed, Anita explains.

And Aukra has even more to offer.

A brand new nursing home with state-of-the-art welfare technology and well-staffed. Also, there is a vibrant village heart – Aukra Community Center, with an indoors swimming pool, a movie theatre, a library, the cultural school, volunteer center, BUA (equipment lending service), adult education classes, and a meeting place for young people. It’s located at the island of Gossen, where most of the villagers live.

-It's a success, Helge Kjøll says with a big smile. He is the mayor of the tight-knit community and knows the village like the back of his hand.

-Every Saturday, the café opens; it rotates among local clubs and associations. That way, the clubs and associations get the income from the cake sales. And every Saturday it’s packed – I think they sell between 15 to 20 big cakes every weekend. It's something that's very good for the community and the social aspect. At the Community Center something is happening almost every day, seven days a week, Helge says.

Resident Roger Øien wholeheartedly agrees.

-It's a bullseye! The center has truly been a boost for the entire village, he says.

-My young son and I make it a habit to go swimming every Friday or Saturday, and we often visit the library located within the Community Center, he explains.

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Roger is an important figure in the local sports club, and in that sense, the Community Center is also important.

-The sports club utilizes the halls in the Community Center for hosting the Christmas dance and other events. I'd say that we in the village feel very connected to this building, he says.

And outside there is nature. A lot of nature!

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The village is divided by sea and waves. The majority of the population live on the island of Gossen; approximately 1,000 reside in the mainland part, named Julsundet. And then you have the hamlet of Orta with 13 residents.

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The business community is also blossoming elsewhere, for instance with the company Vikenco. Their facility is capable of processing 120,000 tons of salmon annually and producing approximately 50,000 tons of raw material for filleting. The mayor likes what he sees.

-Vikenco has built their facility on a tiny island. They have hundreds of employees, and they are investing. There are all kinds of jobs available, both on the production line and within HR, ICT, finance, engineering; they have indeed developed a fantastic facility with a canteen as splendid as the finest restaurant in the city. And the view - it overlooks the open sea. They are very forward-thinking and skilled. There are plenty of opportunities there.

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Aukra holds a special place in Norway's history. It's here that archaeologists found the oldest traces of human presence in the country, dating back to around 9200 years before Christ!

Today, the people of Aukra are part of a coastal culture where boating, outdoor activities, and fresh sea air are among the ingredients.

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One of the villagers who resides at the outermost edge of the sea is Odd Arve Orten, whose home is situated on the island of Orta. Here, 13 people live, and to reach the larger island of Gossen, they must embark on a ferry journey lasting 20 minutes. (The ferry stops running at 6 PM, so good planning is advisable.)

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-I know most people in the area, which I consider a significant advantage. What I really appreciate about Aukra is the sense of community; you know your neighbors and genuinely care for one another. There are plenty of opportunities to get involved in the village, so integrating into the community isn't difficult if you're committed.

One individual who has experienced the transition from outsider to integral member of the community is Roger Øien. He relocated from Trondheim to Aukra for work, and now, many years later, he still resides on the island with his other half and children. Football served as his entry point into the community, where he now coaches and plays a pivotal role in the local sports club. Also, it was through volunteering that he met the love of his life.

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Roger believes that Aukra is a good place for those who aspire to create something new, such as entrepreneurs with innovative ideas.

-You just need to be a little bit willing to put yourself out there, keep your door slightly ajar, and be up for a cup of coffee, Roger says with a smile.

There is also a lot of activity in the music and arts scene of Aukra. Anita Oterhals Eide is involved in the local marching band, and there are several local bands and choirs, especially in the gospel genre, for both children and adults.

-Music is definitely important to many of the residents in the village, says Anita, who plays the tuba in the marching band.

Additionally, many people enjoy hiking in the area. There are plenty of trails everywhere. Volunteers work to maintain and develop the trail network. People can even go for a walk with a stroller or wheelchair, Anita explains.

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-I spend a lot of time in nature! My favorite spot is the mountain Svartnakken, which I can hike up in less than 20 minutes. The view from there is spectacular. And from my house, it’s just a three-minute walk down to the sea, so it’s a short distance from the sea to the mountains. We can hike almost all year round because we are located right on the coast, so there is rarely any snow here, Anita says.

-One thing that I believe is part of the village soul is that everyone greets each other when they meet someone else out walking. You don’t just pass by with an audiobook or music in your ears; you say hello to each other. I think that’s so nice!

The mayor, Helge Kjøll, sums it up this way:

-For me, the very best thing about Aukra is the commendable voluntary work being carried out in the village, combined with incredibly stunning nature near the sea and fantastically beautiful mountainous regions.

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A particularly beautiful sight to behold is the vast meadow of daffodils blooming each spring beside the church at Gossen. The first bulbs were planted as early as the 18th century. It was the clergyman Alexander Borck who, returning from a pilgrimage, brought home these flower bulbs. The yellow blossoms proliferated, evolving into a delightful sea of gold that signals the arrival of spring in the village.

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Rural? Sure. Aukra has a lot of stunning scenery and nature. But if you need the occasional city vibe, don’t worry. Mayor Helge Kjøll explains:

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-I feel grateful to live here when I see the view. In the summer, when the sun stays until after 23 before it finally sets into the sea. I am so thankful that this is my home. I almost get a little emotional talking about it. Those days are kind of rare, living along the wild Norwegian coast. But when they come... it's simply magical.

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Sources

Main photo on top by Kjell Stian Brunes

Aukra - Fjord Norway

Aukra – Wikipedia

Aukra – Store norske leksikon (snl.no)

Home - Gassco

Påskeliljemarka på Gossen | Nature Attractions | Aukra | Norway (visitnorway.no)

About — Vikenco

Aukra kulturhus | Forside

Aukrabolten – ei skjult perle på Gossen - rbnett.no

Halvveis til hundre med ny fabrikk (ilaks.no)