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RTÉ News
2 hours ago
- Business
- RTÉ News
Historic Swedish church arrives at new home after two-day journey
A landmark Swedish church in the Arctic has arrived at its new home after a two-day move across the town of Kiruna to allow Europe's biggest underground mine to expand. The red wooden Kiruna Kyrka, which dates from 1912 and weighs 672 tonnes, completed its five-kilometre journey around 2.30 pm (1.30pm Irish time). A musical fanfare celebrated its arrival after a complex, meticulously choreographed relocation that began yesterday on two remote-controlled flatbed trailers inching forward at a pace of half a kilometre an hour. Kiruna's entire town centre is being relocated because of the giant LKAB iron ore mine, whose ever deeper burrowing over the years has weakened the ground. A stone's throw from where the structure was inching into place next to the town's cemetery, Lutheran vicar Lena Tjarnberg held a church service for dignitaries in a tent resembling a "laavu", the traditional tent of the region's Indigenous Sami people. "Our beloved, beloved church began its journey yesterday from its unbelievably beloved location. Now it is on its way home," she said. The journey went smoothly for the 1,200-tonne convoy, despite some tricky narrow passages and 90 degree turns, officials said. "Everything has gone so incredibly well," project manager Roy Griph told Swedish television SVT, which broadcast the entire move live. The relocation has generated widespread interest, with large crowds thronging the streets of the town of 18,000 people. The country's King Carl XVI Gustaf took part in festivities, exchanging a few words with driver Sebastian Druker of Argentina who controlled the trailers remotely with a joystick. The 79-year-old king was also expected to take part in an attempt to break the world record for the number of people attending a "kyrkkaffe", a church coffee break. The town's relocation process began almost two decades ago and is expected to continue for years to come. The new town centre was inaugurated in September 2022. Criticism The company offered to financially compensate those affected by the town's relocation, or rebuild their homes or buildings. A total of 23 historic buildings, including the church, were moved. Yet many Kiruna residents are unhappy. Alex Johansson and Magnus Fredriksson, who host a podcast on local Kiruna news, were critical of the mining company. "LKAB maybe didn't read the room so well when they destroyed the whole town and then they stage this huge street party for the people," Mr Fredriksson told television broadcaster SVT, watching as the church rolled slowly down the road. "It's like they said 'Here's some storage space for you, Kiruna. Now we're going to continue raking in the billions from here'," Mr Johansson added. They were happy the church had at least been saved. "It's good that it didn't end up as woodchips like the rest of Kiruna," Mr Fredriksson said. Iron ore, rare earths LKAB, which is extracting iron ore at a depth of 1,365 metres, announced in 2023 that it had discovered Europe's largest known deposit of rare earth elements right next to the Kiruna mine. Rare earths are essential for the green transition, used in the manufacturing of electric vehicles. LKAB chief executive Jan Mostrom said the deposit was "very important for Europe", as the continent seeks to reduce its dependence on imports from China. "We are quite focused to see how we will continue to expand our operations in Kiruna," he said. Activists argue the mining operations destroy the area's pristine forests and lakes and disturb traditional Sami reindeer herding in the area. The relocation of the church alone was expected to cost LKAB some 500 million kronor (over €44 million). Designed by Swedish architect Gustaf Wickman, the church, which measures 40m tall, is a mix of influences and includes designs inspired by the region's Indigenous Sami people on the pews. The neo-Gothic exterior features slanting roofs and windows on each side, while its dark interior has elements of national romanticism as well as an Art Nouveau altarpiece and an organ with more than 2,000 pipes. The church's handblown glass windows were removed ahead of the move, replaced with painted plywood. The belltower, which stood separately next to the church, will be moved next week.
Int'l Business Times
5 hours ago
- Business
- Int'l Business Times
Historic Swedish Church Inches Closer To New Home
A historic red wooden church considered one of Sweden's most beautiful buildings resumed its slow move across the Arctic town of Kiruna on Wednesday, inching toward its new home to allow Europe's biggest underground mine to expand. Kiruna's entire town centre is being relocated because of the giant LKAB iron ore mine that dominates the region, whose ever deeper burrowing over the years has weakened the ground, increasing the risk of collapse in some parts. Kiruna Kyrka, an imposing 672-tonne Swedish Lutheran church from 1912, is being moved five kilometres (three miles) on remote-controlled flatbed trailers, moving at a snail's pace of half a kilometre an hour to the new Kiruna town. The complex and costly logistical operation began on Tuesday and was scheduled to be completed on Wednesday around 2:00 or 3:00 pm (1200 or 1300 GMT). The journey has so far gone smoothly for the 1,200-tonne convoy, but was expected to proceed more slowly on Wednesday due to some tricky narrow passages and 90 degree turns, officials said. The move has generated widespread interest, with large crowds thronging the streets of the town of 18,000 people and Swedish television broadcasting the entire journey live. King Carl XVI Gustaf was due to take part in festivities in Kiruna, including an attempt to break the world record for the number of people attending a "kyrkkaffe", a church coffee break. The town's relocation process began almost two decades ago and is expected to continue for years to come. The new town centre was officially inaugurated in September 2022. The relocation of the church alone is expected to cost 500 million kronor ($52 million) and is being paid for by LKAB. Designed by Swedish architect Gustaf Wickman, the church, which measures 40 metres (131 feet) tall, is a mix of influences and includes designs inspired by the region's Indigenous Sami people on the pews. The neo-Gothic exterior features slanting roofs and windows on each side, while its dark interior has elements of national romanticism as well as an Art Nouveau altarpiece and an organ with more than 2,000 pipes. The church's handblown glass windows were removed ahead of the move, replaced with plywood painted to look like windows. The belltower, which stood separately next to the church, will be moved next week. The town's relocation process began almost two decades ago and is expected to continue for years to come AFP
Kuwait Times
7 hours ago
- Kuwait Times
Historic Swedish church relocates in logistical feat
KIRUNA, Sweden: With great fanfare, a historic red wooden church considered one of Sweden's most beautiful buildings began its slow move from its home in the Arctic town of Kiruna on Tuesday to allow the expansion of Europe's biggest underground mine. Kiruna's entire town center is being moved because of the giant LKAB iron ore mine that dominates the region, whose ever deeper burrowing over the years has weakened the ground, increasing the risk of collapse in some parts. Kiruna Kyrka, an imposing 672-tonne Swedish Lutheran church from 1912, is being moved five kilometers on remote-controlled flatbed trailers, inching along at a pace of half a kilometer an hour over two days to the new Kiruna town. The complex and costly logistical operation kicked off after a blessing by Bishop Asa Nystrom and Vicar Lena Tjarnberg, with the trailers' 220 wheels slowly pulling out under sunny blue skies. One of the trickiest parts of the meticulously choreographed journey was the start, officials said, with the 1,200-tonne convoy required to make a turn and roll down a slight incline to reach the main road it was to travel on. Throughout its journey on Tuesday, workers in yellow vests and helmets scrambled around the structure, taking measurements and conducting tests to ensure everything proceeded as planned. After a smooth ride, a brief lunch break and frequent technical checks inside the church, the transport stopped for the day around 3:50 pm (1350 GMT), more than an hour ahead of schedule. It was to resume on Wednesday morning and scheduled to arrive at its final destination in the afternoon. 'Hopefully tomorrow will be a walk in the park again,' LKAB chief executive Jan Mostrom told AFP, admitting he had been 'a little worried about this'. The move has generated widespread interest, with large crowds thronging the streets of the town of 18,000 people. King Carl XVI Gustaf was due to take part in the festivities in Kiruna. And Swedish television was broadcasting the entire journey live — a new iteration of the 'slow TV' trend. The town's relocation process began almost two decades ago and is expected to continue for years to come. The new town center was officially inaugurated in Sept 2022. The relocation of the church alone is expected to cost 500 million kronor ($52 million) and is being paid for by LKAB. Designed by Swedish architect Gustaf Wickman, the church, which measures 40 m tall, is a mix of influences and includes designs inspired by the region's Indigenous Sami people on the pews. The neo-Gothic exterior features slanting roofs and windows on each side, while its dark interior has elements of national romanticism as well as an Art Nouveau altarpiece. LKAB has called the relocation 'a unique event in world history'. Other larger, heavier objects have been moved before, but usually in ports or industrial areas — not through small towns. The roads on the route have been widened, from nine to 24 m, and levelled to provide a smooth ride. Elisabeth Turq, a 66-year-old French tourist who travelled to Kiruna to follow the move, was awestruck. 'It's quite remarkable to be able to move such a building,' she told AFP. Sami author Ann-Helen Laestadius, a Kiruna native best known for her novel 'Stolen', which was made into a Netflix drama last year, said she had mixed feelings. 'I'm glad the church is being moved... anything else would have been a scandal,' she told SVT. 'It's such a big part of Kiruna's soul. 'I was baptized, confirmed and married in this church,' she said. 'But it is extremely difficult to see your town disappear,' she added, lamenting the loss of other landmarks razed in the town's move. LKAB offered to financially compensate those affected by the town's relocation, or rebuild their homes or buildings. 'But when it came to the church, we decided it was best to move it in one piece,' LKAB project manager Stefan Holmblad Johansson told AFP, saying the move was being handled 'with great reverence'. 'This is not just any building, it's a church.' Particular attention was paid to protect both the church's large organ, with its more than 2,000 pipes, and altarpiece, a pastel landscape painted by Sweden's Prince Eugen (1865-1947). The belltower, which stood separately next to the church, will be moved next week. – AFP
Business Times
13 hours ago
- Business Times
Historic Swedish church on the move in logistical feat
[KIRUNA] With great fanfare, a historic red wooden church considered one of Sweden's most beautiful buildings began its slow move from its home in the Arctic town of Kiruna on Tuesday (Aug 19) to allow the expansion of Europe's biggest underground mine. Kiruna's entire town centre is being moved because of the giant LKAB iron ore mine that dominates the region, whose ever deeper burrowing over the years has weakened the ground, increasing the risk of collapse in some parts. Kiruna Kyrka, an imposing 672-tonne Swedish Lutheran church from 1912, is being moved five kilometres on remote-controlled flatbed trailers, inching along at a pace of half a kilometre an hour over two days to the new Kiruna town. The complex and costly logistical operation kicked off after a blessing by Bishop Asa Nystrom and Vicar Lena Tjarnberg, with the trailers' 220 wheels slowly pulling out under sunny blue skies. One of the trickiest parts of the meticulously choreographed journey was the start, officials said, with the 1,200-tonne convoy required to make a turn and roll down a slight incline to reach the main road it was to travel on. Throughout its journey on Tuesday, workers in yellow vests and helmets scrambled around the structure, taking measurements and conducting tests to ensure everything proceeded as planned. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 2 pm Lifestyle Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself. Sign Up Sign Up After a smooth ride, a brief lunch break and frequent technical checks inside the church, the transport stopped for the day around 3:50 pm (1350 GMT), more than an hour ahead of schedule. It was to resume on Wednesday morning and scheduled to arrive at its final destination in the afternoon. 'Hopefully tomorrow will be a walk in the park again,' LKAB chief executive Jan Mostrom said, admitting he had been 'a little worried about this'. 'Unique event' The move has generated widespread interest, with large crowds thronging the streets of the town of 18,000 people. King Carl XVI Gustaf was due to take part in the festivities in Kiruna. And Swedish television was broadcasting the entire journey live – a new iteration of the 'slow TV' trend. The town's relocation process began almost two decades ago and is expected to continue for years to come. The new town centre was officially inaugurated in September 2022. The relocation of the church alone is expected to cost 500 million kronor (S$67 million) and is being paid for by LKAB. Designed by Swedish architect Gustaf Wickman, the church, which measures 40 metres tall, is a mix of influences and includes designs inspired by the region's Indigenous Sami people on the pews. The neo-Gothic exterior features slanting roofs and windows on each side, while its dark interior has elements of national romanticism as well as an Art Nouveau altarpiece. LKAB has called the relocation 'a unique event in world history'. Other larger, heavier objects have been moved before, but usually in ports or industrial areas – not through small towns. The roads on the route have been widened, from nine to 24 metres, and levelled to provide a smooth ride. 'Not just any building' Elisabeth Turq, a 66-year-old French tourist who travelled to Kiruna to follow the move, was awestruck. 'It's quite remarkable to be able to move such a building,' she said. Sami author Ann-Helen Laestadius, a Kiruna native best known for her novel Stolen, which was made into a Netflix drama last year, said she had mixed feelings. 'I'm glad the church is being moved... anything else would have been a scandal,' she told SVT. 'It's such a big part of Kiruna's soul. 'I was baptised, confirmed and married in this church,' she said. 'But it is extremely difficult to see your town disappear,' she added, lamenting the loss of other landmarks razed in the town's move. LKAB offered to financially compensate those affected by the town's relocation, or rebuild their homes or buildings. 'But when it came to the church, we decided it was best to move it in one piece,' LKAB project manager Stefan Holmblad Johansson said, adding the move was being handled 'with great reverence'. 'This is not just any building, it's a church.' Particular attention was paid to protect both the church's large organ, with its more than 2,000 pipes, and the altarpiece, a pastel landscape painted by Sweden's Prince Eugen (1865-1947). The bell tower, which stood separately next to the church, will be moved next week. AFP
Korea Herald
15 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Historic Swedish church on the move in logistical feat
KIRUNA, Sweden (AFP) -- With great fanfare, a historic red wooden church considered one of Sweden's most beautiful buildings began its slow move from its home in the Arctic town of Kiruna on Tuesday to allow the expansion of Europe's biggest underground mine. Kiruna's entire town center is being moved because of the giant LKAB iron ore mine that dominates the region, whose ever deeper burrowing over the years has weakened the ground, increasing the risk of collapse in some parts. Kiruna Kyrka, an imposing 672-metric-ton Swedish Lutheran church from 1912, is being moved 5 kilometers on remote-controlled flatbed trailers, inching along at a pace of half a kilometer an hour over two days to the new Kiruna town. The complex and costly logistical operation kicked off after a blessing by Bishop Asa Nystrom and Vicar Lena Tjarnberg, with the trailers' 220 wheels slowly pulling out under sunny blue skies. One of the trickiest parts of the meticulously choreographed journey was the start, officials said, with the 1,200-metric-ton convoy required to make a turn and roll down a slight incline to reach the main road it was to travel on. Throughout its journey on Tuesday, workers in yellow vests and helmets scrambled around the structure, taking measurements and conducting tests to ensure everything proceeded as planned. After a smooth ride, a brief lunch break and frequent technical checks inside the church, the transport stopped for the day around 3:50 p.m., more than an hour ahead of schedule. It was to resume on Wednesday morning and scheduled to arrive at its final destination in the afternoon. "Hopefully tomorrow will be a walk in the park again," LKAB chief executive Jan Mostrom said, admitting he had been "a little worried about this." Unique event The move has generated widespread interest, with large crowds thronging the streets of the town of 18,000 people. King Carl XVI Gustaf was due to take part in the festivities in Kiruna. And Swedish television was broadcasting the entire journey live -- a new iteration of the "slow TV" trend. The town's relocation process began almost two decades ago and is expected to continue for years to come. The new town center was officially inaugurated in September 2022. The relocation of the church alone is expected to cost 500 million kronor ($52 million) and is being paid for by LKAB. Designed by Swedish architect Gustaf Wickman, the church, which measures 40 meters tall, is a mix of influences and includes designs inspired by the region's Indigenous Sami people on the pews. The neo-Gothic exterior features slanting roofs and windows on each side, while its dark interior has elements of national romanticism as well as an Art Nouveau altarpiece. LKAB has called the relocation "a unique event in world history." Other larger, heavier objects have been moved before, but usually in ports or industrial areas -- not through small towns. The roads on the route have been widened, from nine to 24 meters, and leveled to provide a smooth ride. Not just any building Elisabeth Turq, a 66-year-old French tourist who traveled to Kiruna to follow the move, was awestruck. "It's quite remarkable to be able to move such a building," she said. Sami author Ann-Helen Laestadius, a Kiruna native best known for her novel "Stolen," which was made into a Netflix drama last year, said she had mixed feelings. "I'm glad the church is being moved ... anything else would have been a scandal," she told SVT. "It's such a big part of Kiruna's soul." "I was baptized, confirmed and married in this church," she said. "But it is extremely difficult to see your town disappear," she added, lamenting the loss of other landmarks razed in the town's move. LKAB offered to financially compensate those affected by the town's relocation, or rebuild their homes or buildings. "But when it came to the church, we decided it was best to move it in one piece," LKAB project manager Stefan Holmblad Johansson said, saying the move was being handled "with great reverence." "This is not just any building, it's a church." Particular attention was paid to protect both the church's large organ, with its more than 2,000 pipes, and altarpiece, a pastel landscape painted by Sweden's Prince Eugen (1865-1947). The belltower, which stood separately next to the church, will be moved next week.
