Sweden: Moving a church in Kiruna

DW (English)

In the Swedish town of Kiruna, moving a church is a slow affair. But that’s exactly what residents are doing with the 670-ton place of worship. The city center is set to follow.

Transcript

00:01What does it take to move a church five kilometers?

00:08These two know.

00:10One thing you perhaps don't think about is the road.

00:13It's only one way we can come to the new city.

00:16We need God's help and people's profession.

00:20Kiruna is a rugged mining town in the cold northern part of Sweden.

00:25For months now, experts have been preparing to relocate the church.

00:31But first, a quick blessing.

00:33Just before the church sets off for the new city,

00:36Bishop Åsa Nyström performs a blessing.

00:39Now the church can embark on its journey.

00:43If you ask people here living in Kiruna,

00:46they maybe haven't got so many words for their faith,

00:51but it is there, and it's a holy place, and they need it.

01:00But why move a church?

01:03The answer is in the mountains,

01:06explains project manager Stefan Holmblad Johansson.

01:12We have the world's biggest underground mine.

01:16Iron ore lies more than a kilometer beneath the surface.

01:25Mining began about 125 years ago,

01:29and 1.5 billion tons have been extracted thus far.

01:33But that's not all.

01:35The state-owned mining company LKAB is expanding the mine even more.

01:40It steeps under the city, and when we go deeper,

01:44it affects the surface.

01:47And then we have to move the city,

01:49and the church is a part of the city.

01:53In fact, the mining company founded Kiruna.

01:58Today, it's a ghost town.

02:01Empty shops and deserted streets.

02:04The former city centre is being demolished.

02:07For most people here, tearing down the historic church

02:09is out of the question.

02:11They accept it needs to be relocated,

02:13even though it costs a whopping 45 million euros.

02:18This church is so full of memories,

02:20so I think it is good that we keep it.

02:22Yes, it's about the memory.

02:25I'm a Christian, but I haven't been to church in a long time.

02:28It's been closed for a year now.

02:29For me, it would be really sad to not have the church,

02:34because it's really a part of the city.

02:38The move looks like a small exodus.

02:42However, some would rather avoid the crowds

02:45and reflect on their personal memories.

02:47It's good for the iron ore, but it's a little bit sad also.

02:57My parents, they married in the church.

03:01The relocation of the church is a historic event.

03:05For some, it is a time to reflect on the past.

03:08One Sami woman laments how industrialisation forced indigenous people

03:15and their reindeer herds off their lands.

03:18Reindeers cannot eat stone.

03:21Sami people have lost land, reindeer herding land,

03:26because of this mine in Kiruna.

03:28So it doesn't matter if the church is over there or if it's here.

03:34It's the same.

03:35Hundreds line up.

03:38Since the church is still in transit, service is held in a tent.

03:42For many, the highlight of the church's relocation is the attendance of King Karl XVI Gustaf of Sweden.

03:52For others, however, it is more about the technology.

03:57Take, for example, these two mighty chassis, remote controlled by joystick.

04:02The project manager knows every detail.

04:05Well, almost.

04:07Yes, it's 224 wheels, I think.

04:11I haven't counted, but I heard the numbers somewhere.

04:15The final destination is now in sight.

04:17The new Kiruna.

04:19For the mining company, it's a multi-billion euro investment.

04:23The historic wooden church will be nestled between modern buildings.

04:27But is this what God had in mind?

04:30I didn't ask God in that very specific way.

04:33But I said to God, we have to have the church with us to the new place.

04:37So, and I think God said yes.

04:43And now we are here.

04:45After two whole days, the church has finally arrived at its new location.

04:51But it will still be a while before the first service can be held.

04:55How long exactly?

04:57Only God knows.

04:58That's that.

04:59She loves food, hold each other.

05:01No blood seven Ums!

05:03So this is a choicet one to leave.

05:05That means a path ahead of some decent service.

05:06I want to take a much more straight.

05:07I want to take this video and read from the places that you want to focus on.

05:09It will probably be a follow-up.

05:10But it won't tell anyone what writer you wait for you, to read through through the followingこんな

05:12creative business plan.

05:14To be honest, Most of the time can advise you a world to use stuff.

05:18Whatever, people must haven't done with the hovering sec and play together.

05:19But they need to change his willingness as happy weather as possible for those buildings.

05:22complaints out with the selfie spooky-based website are going completely much better yet now.

05:23And stay tuned for tasks.

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