Kvinlog is a village where many parents hold off on giving their children screens for as long as they can, cheering on play, the joy of sport and a strong sense of community instead. That makes for secure, confident kids, according to reliable sources.
Kvinlog in brief
Residents
~700
To Liknes
25 min
School
In the village
Municipality
Kvinesdal
School
Kvinlog skule, years 1–10
Kindergarten
Fjotland barnehage
Sport
Kvinesdal Sparebank-hallen
Like one big family
“I think there’s a culture here in Kvinlog of putting off for as long as possible giving the kids access to mobile phones, social media and so on,” says Andrea Narvestad. She is a mother of four, married to Kim, works at the village kindergarten and also chairs the Kvinlog village association.
“If I were to describe Kvinlog, I’d point to the incredibly strong sense of community here. It simply feels like one big family where everyone knows everyone. If your child falls over, there’s always someone who helps them back up – even if you’re only a couple of metres away. That’s what this village is like.”
When it comes to secure, confident children, it also helps that the kindergarten and the school in Kvinlog work closely together. The classes are small, and according to Andrea the school has good results to show for it – high on well-being and low on bullying.
Good spirits! Photo: Andrea Narvestad
“You can tell that the teachers at the school here are genuinely fond of the children. They’re not just individual pupils in a group; the teachers see every single child.”
Andrea Narvestad, mother of four
Plenty to do for young and old
Kvinlog’s roughly 700 residents live in several small hamlets across the village, and even though it isn’t a big place, there is plenty to do. And it’s only a 25-minute drive to the municipal centre, Liknes.
“A lot happens through the sports club here,” says Andrea.
The multi-use sports hall, Kvinesdal Sparebank-hallen, next to Kvinlog skule is new, and in no time it has become the beating heart of the village. The school children have PE here, and young and old train gymnastics, aerobics, volleyball and much more. The local sports club, Knaben og Fjotland idrettslag, also offers football, badminton – and grupseball (a game a bit like dodgeball)!
Training in Kvinesdal Sparebank-hallen. Photo: Mailinn Røyland
Football pitch? Check.
Lit trail? Absolutely – and not just that. It’s open all year round, so you can ski when there’s snow and roller-ski the rest of the year.
“On top of that we have the clubhouse, with a gym in the loft,” says Andrea.
The gym in the loft. Photo: Andrea Narvestad
In other words, there are plenty of opportunities just around the corner for an active childhood in Kvinlog.
“I think there’s a culture here of young people starting later with alcohol and that sort of thing than in many other places,” says Andrea.
“They probably get to be children for quite a long time here,” she says with a smile.
Sara Alvilde and Sverre Elias Narvestad Røynestad, ready for autumn camp at Kvinatun. Photo: Andrea Narvestad
The shop and meeting in the park
The local shop is an important meeting place for the villagers. There are tables and chairs, and this is where you bump into each other without planning to. Outside the shop there’s a small park with a playground and a beach volleyball court, and that’s another place where people meet. You can also meet in the two new lean-to shelters along the lit trail, and they are well used!
“Then there’s the village café at the prayer house, where they cook big communal dinners a couple of times a month. It’s very popular,” says Andrea.
As head of the village association, Andrea has a hand in much of what goes on.
“We try to make things happen for the village, to bring people together and have a nice time. For example by holding a Christmas market during Advent. It’s incredibly cosy!”
And with its own fire station in the village, the local firefighters join in the fun too!
Father Christmas arrived by fire engine. Photo: Mailinn Røyland
“I often think, very often, about how lucky I am to live right here in Kvinlog.”
Andrea Narvestad
On the way up to Fjotlandsfjellet, on the planks across the bog. Photo: Mailinn RøylandThe path along the water. Photo: Mailinn Røyland
Friendly locals
It isn’t always easy to fit in as a newcomer in a small village, if we’re being completely honest (and we are). But in Kvinlog it isn’t particularly hard, according to the head of the village association.
“We have a really strong sense of community here in Kvinlog, and when new people move in, I’d say we’re inclusive. Those of us who live here want to get to know them – we’re really keen to get more new neighbours. Of course, it helps if you as a newcomer want to take an active part in what goes on locally,” says Andrea.
The lit trail is paved and used all year round. Photo: Andrea Narvestad
“For example, we have a Messenger group where we keep adding people and invite newcomers in. So if someone fancies taking the kids to the park, it’s easy to tag along,” she concludes.
And in the park in Kvinlog, the children get on just fine without screens and tablets.
Children opening Easter eggs in Kvinlog. Photo: Andrea Narvestad
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Career Opportunities
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Services, activities and amenities in Kvinlog and within a short drive.
Beliggenhet
Hvor ligger Kvinlog?
Kvinlog lies in Kvinesdal municipality, a 25-minute drive from the municipal centre of Liknes. Its residents live in several hamlets around the school, the sports hall and the local shop.
Frode Johannessen — one of the Lister relocation guides
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