City girl in the sticks
Even though politician Helle Hundevadt arrived quietly in Dovre, she took many by storm when she relocated here in 1989.
"Life in a small place is rich, because the effort made by the individual is appreciated," says Hundevadt, who came to live here twenty years ago, and has never missed big city life in her home town of Oslo.
Identity and pride
"I get a kick out of living on the edge. A heavy and varied workload has always interested me, which is why the job of Head of the Dovre Technical College is perfect. Preserving our cultural heritage is a big challenge but I decided to be an optimist and stand up for the things I believe in. You will succeed if you are determined enough," states Helle, the city girl from Oslo.
"But what about envy and narrow-minded rustic attitudes, can't they be a problem?"
"When it comes to the locals in Dovre - who I know best - I have no problems at all. But I would like them to show more pride in their region with its unique history. And that's why I hope that they and other locals in the area will cultivate their own culture to a greater degree, as that is what creates solid identity and pride," says Helle, who has no plans to move back to the capital.
Nearness and closenss
"I'm sticking where I am and am willing to fight for a living district. Life in a small place is rich, because the efforts made by every individual are so much more visible. One major feature of life here is the nearness and closeness which are a very important factor for families. There is nothing unusual in the neighbour picking up our kids and driving them home from school, something you rarely see in larger towns. And what's more, Norddalen has the perfect climate, is close to nature and very central if you have to get out and about," points out Helle, who has also been a local and regional politician, and member of the Dovre musical society since she moved here.
Blossoming local culture
"What have you achieved so far?"
"We have created a growing selection of courses at the District Cultural Centre. And the Technical College is here to stay, which is fantastic, as it is the only college in the Nordic region to offer a qualification in woodwork. We have extremely clever teachers and highly resourceful students who together create an excellent educational environment. Our students come from all over the country, and because they live here they make use of the workshops in the evenings as well, which is great for getting maximum return from their education," claims Helle, who warmly recommends life in the sticks.
