Folldal

Slow down. Take in the breathtaking, untouched nature that surrounds the village of Folldal. This is the gateway to Rondane and Dovre National Parks, where people from all corners of the globe have come to settle. Despite its small size, the village is home to residents from a dozen nationalities. Here, art, nature, and most importantly, the people thrive! For those in need of a little mindfulness, Folldal might just be the perfect place.

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-For me, there’s a magical calm here, Ninni Frydkjær Brandt says. Originally from Greenland, she moved to Folldal with her husband, Jens-Pavia, and their daughter.

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Folldal, with its just over 1 500 residents, is somewhat of a melting pot. Not only do Norwegians call this place home, but also people from Brazil, Eritrea, the Philippines, Greenland, China, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Somalia, Thailand, and Ukraine.

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One person who has come from afar is Ukrainian Lara Cherniaieva. Like so many others, she had to flee when the war broke out and has since settled in Folldal. It was here that she met Bjørnar, and after a while the romance blossomed. Now they are engaged, have bought a house, and Lara has started her own business—a hair salon—in the village.

-We bought a house in the center of Folldal and divided it into two parts. In one section, I’ve opened my hair salon, and I absolutely love the beautiful view from the big windows. The other part of the house will be our home, for me and my fiance, says a delighted Lara.

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Folldal is the administrative center of Folldal municipality, and the air here is guaranteed fresh! As Norway’s highest-lying municipal center (713 meters above sea level), it is securely located between the majestic blue mountains. The area is characterized by breathtaking nature and idyllic mountain valleys. Serving as the gateway to both Rondane and Dovre National Parks, it offers access to some of Norway's most stunning protected landscapes. In fact, nearly nine-tenths of the municipality’s area is reserved as national parks or wildlife zones dedicated to preserving the wild reindeer population. This truly is the realm of the wild reindeer!

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The landscape is dramatic, shaped by the forces of the Ice Age. It's the perfect spot for those who love tranquility, nature, and rich traditions—and, perhaps most notably, the absence of light pollution. As Bjørn explains, many locals make nature an essential part of their everyday lives.

Lara, too, is undeterred by the cold winters. Quite the opposite, in fact.

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-When I see the Rondane massif at sunrise, sunset, during the blue hour, or bathed in sunlight—throughout all seasons—I'm always struck by the magnificence of this mountain landscape. After a brisk hike, hearing the snow crunch beneath my feet at minus 35 or 40 degrees Celsius, or when the local community gathers for a festival or event, I often feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for living here, he explains.

The nature here is renowned far beyond the country's borders for its extraordinary beauty. In fact, Folldal is part of the Scenic Route Rondane, certain roads in Norway that run through unique nature. Along these specific roads, people will find artworks, viewpoints and rest areas with innovative architecture in beautiful landscapes. The status as a Scenic Route is only given to the cream of the crop, so to speak.

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In the 1700s, ore was discovered in the mountains, and the mining operations that shaped the village began. The community grew around the mine, and many of the local population were involved, either for short or long periods, in mining and the supply of goods to the operations. In 1993, after 245 years of mining history, the era came to an end.

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Art plays a significant role for the people of Folldal. Despite its small size, the village boasts two marching bands, two choirs, a local theater troupe, and its own annual historical play. Remarkably, almost eight out of ten children in Folldal attend the local culture school (!) – so creativity, colors, and music are always in the air.

-Various clubs, associations, the movie theatre, and the library are essential cornerstones of our daily life. The role of culture in fostering joy, a love for living here, and a sense of community is central, Ellen Engh, cultural consultant at the municipality, says.

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-Our local culture is important to our identity. The mining history, traditional music, and the arts keep our community alive and foster a shared pride. Much of what we do in our spare time can be considered culture, and this culture strengthens our local community.

One of the initiatives in the arts field is putting Folldal on the international arts map. The project "KunstVerket" offers a unique opportunity: an artist-in-residence apartment located at Verket by Folldal Mine. Artists from around the world can stay in the apartment, surrounded by beautiful nature, with access to several workspaces to create high-quality art and exhibit their works. And believe it or not— the stay is free of charge! The only expenses artists need to cover are food and travel.

-Cultural projects like AIR Folldal (Artist in Residence) breathe new life into the area. The users of KunstVerket are often impressed with how Folldal municipality integrates art and culture as vital parts of community and place development, Ellen explains.

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The municipality is particularly interested in hearing from artists working within architecture, street art, creative meeting spaces, and environmental challenges—but they are open to other forms of art as well. For those interested in applying for this unique opportunity, click here.

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Bacalao, you say? Absolutely! In Folldal, you’ll find a very popular bacalao factory. This world-renowned dish, made from dried and salted cod and enjoyed in homes across the globe, is also a Folldal specialty. The bacalao factory, Primar is a cornerstone business in the village. Based on a family recipe from 1918, the story of Primar is somewhat of a bacalao adventure that has spanned generations and resulted in Norway’s most beloved bacalao.

Other businesses in Folldal include Norfolier GreenTec AS, a recycling factory for agricultural and construction plastics, a thriving agricultural sector with ambitious young farmers, a diverse tourism industry, and a mountain hotel with stunning views – Folldal Fjellhotell

There are also exciting plans for further business development, according to Bjørn. The municipality provides office spaces for those in need, along with many other perks.

-We have immense water resources of pure drinking water that several companies are interested in using for export, which will create many new green jobs, Bjørn says. Moreover, there are plenty of rental homes available in Folldal, as well as some for sale. And let’s not forget the nearly free residential lots!

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Folldal’s residents have numerous ways to connect, with nature and culture often at the heart of it. We've mentioned the many creative opportunities for children and adults, but Folldal is also a paradise for outdoor activities. Organized sports like soccer, skiing, and biathlon are popular, alongside activities like hunting, fishing, and dog sledding. For those who prefer to stay indoors, you’ll find everything from yoga to spinning and martial arts.

There are also many local traditions that bring the community together, as Bjørn explains.

-From community hall parties around the holidays, to local revues and concerts, the entire village gathers for the 17th of May celebrations, May Day parades, and bonfires on the mountaintops on New Year's Eve. In the fall, hunting teams unite, and people head to the forests to forage for berries and mushrooms. And let's not forget our huge, popular flea market every year!

Bjørn is passionate about the opportunities for children to grow up in Folldal.

-The culture school gives them a stage to shine on, we cheer them on at the soccer field, there are ski practices on crisp winter evenings, and you can safely send your kids out to play. They ride bikes, go sledding, and the school organizes snow cave trips and sheep gathering as part of the curriculum. What a rich upbringing they get here in Folldal, he says with enthusiasm.

This little melting pot of the north certainly is a treasure chest of possibilities.

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Sources:

Main photo on top by Bjørnar Hansen

Historie | Stiftelsen Folldal Gruver

KunstVerket - Et kulturrom i Folldal

Instruktører - Folldal Friskliv

Primar Ekte Bacalao Originalen - Primar (primar-mat.no)