“Vadsø is the finest town”

Vadsø, a gem in northern Norway set beautifully on the Varangerfjord, has a rich history and cultural heritage. To get a broad picture of what Vadsø means to the people who live here, we have interviewed a range of people of different ages who have a connection to this charming town. Each of them has their own experiences and views, and together they give us a glimpse of Vadsø as seen by different generations. Here you can read more about John Bernhard Korbi, also known as Lille, and his relationship with Vadsø.

About Lille

Lille was born in Vadsø and, apart from one year in the military and three years studying in Tromsø, he has lived in Vadsø all his life. He is now retired, but used to be a teacher. He chose to move back home when he was offered a job in Vadsø. Back home, he and several of his friends played on the men’s handball team for Vadsø Turnforening, which at the time played against teams from all over the country. Lille has now lived in Vadsø for 66 years in total, yet he has never grown tired of it. “It’s no wonder – Vadsø is the finest town!” says Lille, who enjoys having plenty of familiar faces, good friends, lovely nature and a good range of sport and culture.

Everyday life in Vadsø

Since retiring, Lille has settled into a fixed daily routine. The day starts with a visit to Hildonen bakeri og konditori, where he meets several of his friends. Then he heads home and does a few odd jobs around the house. If there are sporting events, such as handball matches in Vadsøhallen, he makes sure not to miss them. Otherwise he likes to go for walks, spend time with his grandchild, stroll along the shore, read and do crosswords.

The best thing about Vadsø

There are several things that, in Lille’s eyes, make Vadsø better than anywhere else. The size of the town is perfect: Vadsø is a small place and you can easily get around on foot. You know most people, and even if you don’t know many, the people of Vadsø are usually easy to get to know. Vadsø’s nature is also something to boast about. With both the Varangerfjord and mountains that are lovely to walk in, there are plenty of great nature experiences to be had in Vadsø. On top of that, Vadsø has lots of good sporting and cultural events. Some people say there is not much going on in Vadsø, but Lille disagrees entirely. “There’s more than enough to do here, as long as you join in and take part in what’s on.” There is plenty of music and concerts, a very good local history society and lots of other cultural activities.

Tips and advice about Vadsø

Lille has one piece of advice for anyone considering a move to Vadsø: move here! If you decide to take his advice, he has several tips for newcomers. Get to know the people of Vadsø – they can show you the best Vadsø has to offer, and how best to settle in. Make the most of all the cultural activities we have here in Vadsø, and explore Vadsø’s beautiful nature. Go hiking in the mountains and head out on the fjord. And of course, you also need to find a job you enjoy.