Pedersöre

Photo by Pedersöres kommun

RIVERS, lakes and the Kvarken archipelago – Pedersöre, or Pedersören kunta in Finnish, has a diverse nature to offer, not to mention excellent places to spend a day unwinding by fishing. It is a bilingual municipality in the Ostrobothnia region, with a majority of Swedish speakers. Historically it is one of the oldest parishes in the Ostrobothnia region.

History

There is no record of exactly how old Pederöre is, but it is one of three original parishes in the Gulf of Bothnia. It was first mentioned in writing in 1348, when King Magnus Eriksson issued a statute concerning trade in the parishes of Korsholm, Närpes, and Pedersöre.

Jakobstad

HOME OF Finnish National poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg, Jakobstad, or Pietarsaari in Finnish, has been an important player in the cultural development of the west coast in Ostrobothnia. It is a bilingual municipality with a majority of Swedish speakers, situated by the sea.

History

Jakobstad was founded in 1652. On 19 June Queen Christina granted Count Jacob de la Gardie the right to found the town in the parish of Pedersöre, yet after his death the project was taken over by his widow Countess Ebba Brahe. The town was named Jakobstad after the Count, but its Finnish name Pietarsaari pays tribute to the municipality it once belonged to, Pedersöre.

Vörå

The Fänrik Ståls center. Photo by Sonja Onnela

On the coast of the Gulf of Bothnia lies a municipality which played an important role in Finnish history – both in its occupation by Russia, and its independence. Vörå, or Vöyri in Finnish, is a bilingual municipality with a majority of Swedish speakers. It is incidentally also where Jean Sibelius got married.

History

Until 1809, Finland was under Swedish rule. One of the main battles to change the fate of Finland was the battle of Oravais, which took place in Vörå during the Finnish War of 1808-9. During the course of the battle, Russian troops attacked the Swedish troops located in Oravais, causing the latter to retreat. The Battle is considered one of the bloodiest of the war – it is estimated that there were at least 1,000 Finnish and Swedish and 800 Russian casualties. The battle was also a critical one for Finland’s future – losing it meant becoming part of Russia.

Kronoby

Photo by Studio Sara

KRONOBY, or Kruunupyy in Finnish, is located in the Ostrobothnia region. It is a bilingual municipality, with a Swedish speaking majority. It boasts beautiful nature, a plethora of museums, and a friendly – and humorous! – population.

History

In 1969, Kronoby, Nedervetil and Terjärv municipalities married up to become Kronoby municipality. The aim of the unification was to create a strong community with a high level of service and discretion. Since 1983, the municipality has been a bilingual one.

Kristinestad

Studio Sara

KRISTINESTAD, or Kristiinankaupunki in Finnish, is located by the Gulf of Bothnia, and is a part of the Ostrobothnia region. It is a bilingual municipality where the majority of the population speak Swedish.

History

Count Peter Brahe founded Kristinestad on the Koppö island in the year 1649, having noticed its potential for a port. The Swedish Queen Christina signed the charter of the town, becoming the namesake of Kristinestad. The ‘Lilliputian’ new port grew slowly until it established itself as a trading hub in the 18th century.