Åland. The Nordic archipelago between Sweden and Finland.
Why Åland
Ever since I was a little boy, I have been fascinated by the sea and the mountains. They were the two extreme landscapes of Sweden, the country where I grew up. And to me, that was where the adventures happened. And yet, somehow, I ended up in Stockholm.
I spent 25 years there before I got an unexpected invitation from a nice woman: “Come to Åland and see what you think.”
So I did. And today we’re married.
A place between two worlds
Åland is a pretty special place. It is part of Finland, but has its own autonomous government. Swedish is the only official language, and Åland is fully demilitarised, with no military and no fortifications allowed. And Åland is not really one island at all, but an archipelago of thousands of islands and skerries, with around 30,000 people spread across 16 municipalities.
The culture is a mix of Swedish and Finnish influences. But in everyday life, the Swedish connection is perhaps particularly noticeable. Most people speak Swedish, and Swedish television and radio are a natural part of everyday life here.
But for me, the statistics and politics are not what make Åland special.
It is the sea that is always close by.
The reason I stayed
Apart from love, it was nature and the sea that really pulled me towards Åland.
All those islands. The freedom to jump into a boat on a summer evening and head out looking for a new favourite rock to swim from. Going fishing. Sailing. Exploring places you have never been before, even though they might only be a few kilometres from home.
And then there is the light. The long summer evenings, the sunsets over the water, the first and last light on the rocks, and the completely different feeling of the islands in winter. There is always something changing, and that is probably one of the reasons I rarely leave my camera at home.
I also came to appreciate something I had not expected quite as much: the community.
Åland has a remarkably active association life, both in culture and sports. For a relatively small population, there is an impressive amount going on. People get things started, join clubs, organise events and seem willing to get involved.
That impresses me.
Still exploring
Apart from love, it was nature and the sea that really pulled me towards Åland.
I have lived here long enough to know that I will probably never get tired of exploring Åland.
There are always new islands to discover, another route to take, another sunset to stop for, or another rocky shoreline that looks completely different in a different light. And sometimes the best thing is simply to go out without a particular plan.
Take the boat. Bring the camera. See what happens.
That is probably the best way I can explain what Åland means to me.
Three ways to explore Åland
Kobba Klintar
An old pilot station, rocky shores, birds and my favourite sunsets.Rödhamn
A beautiful island where I never seem to get tired of.Nordic Light
Summer’s endless light and winter’s low sun and glowing skies.