Boden is where Katarina Althin and Daniel Rydberg are building their new life together. Daniel’s assignment as a colonel and head of the Norrbotten Brigade brought them here. Katarina, a fashion editor at Tara magazine and an aspiring priest, is one of a growing number of accompanying individuals who enrich Boden.
Katarina and Daniel walk side by side along the winding path to the summit of Rödbergsfortet. The autumn sun filters through the pine crowns as the couple’s ability to capture moments together meets both the future and the echoes of history, all during a single walk. In the midst of life, here in Boden, the newlyweds’ dreams intertwine with a changing world that is particularly palpable here in Boden. From Boden Fortress, which laid the foundation for the city at the beginning of the last century, they look out over views where the landmarks of green industry are emerging.
Strategic Location
Boden’s strategic location between Norway and Finland, with a shorter distance to the Russian border than to the capital, is central to both our growing defense and their new life. The old military town of Boden is not only seeing more conscripts return, but also new jobs, defense employees moving here, and accompanying family members.
One of them is Katarina Althin, who has moved with her husband Daniel Rydberg. He is the head of the Norrbotten Brigade at the Norrbotten Regiment, I 19, and also leads NATO’s multinational force Forward Land Forces Finland (FLF Finland).
Katarina is a journalist by profession, has been the fashion editor at Tara magazine for several years, contributes as a style expert to various media, and has run the podcast Stilsnack with a colleague since 2017. In parallel, she has also worked for the Swedish Armed Forces.
Big Change
The move to Boden was a major geographical change for the couple, but also a big step on a personal level. Before moving here, they lived in Rome.
“My first impression here was that it’s so much calmer, closer, and simpler. Everything works, even when it’s minus 25,” says Katarina.
“First, I lived here alone, and then it was mostly just work and frozen pizza when I was here. Now that we live here together, we have a life,” says Daniel.
Katarina took a leave of absence from the Swedish Armed Forces, and with the move, she opened the door to a calling that has grown stronger over the years.
“My hope and dream are to become a priest and also work with military pastoral care,” she says.
Katarina is affiliated with the Diocese of Luleå and the Överluleå parish in Boden, where she has, among other things, been involved in confirmation work.
“For me, young people are a concrete way to become part of the place and its people.”
New Paths in Life
For Katarina, the new life in Boden is about more than just a move. It’s about finding home in a new phase of life. She describes it as ‘The Gateway to the North’ also tying together her own life journey – about the dream of becoming a priest, the closeness to nature, and the opportunity to settle down. Here, as newlyweds, they can literally find new paths in life. Stroll, pick berries and mushrooms, or simply bring a thermos and go to a beautiful viewpoint during one of the gaps in the couple’s tight schedules, to enjoy the place and time together. To be able to pause in the midst of a hectic life, feel the calm, breathe fresh air, and settle into an everyday luxury, with mountains, forests, lakes, snow, skiing, and the Northern Lights nearby.
“Here, nature is not something we have to travel to; we have it right outside our door.”
They also describe the feeling of closeness between people. Straightforward, down-to-earth, and helpful people who make it easy to integrate into new contexts, whether at work or at ICA.
Part of Proximity Living
Daniel and Katarina enjoy the charm of the small town. Of course, they might miss some things found in a larger city, and especially family members further south. But in Boden, they take every opportunity to partake in what’s happening here – motor races, markets, cafés, and restaurants.
“As a newcomer to Boden, my advice to others is to be curious, say yes to things, get involved, and seek out communities. Try things and give the place a chance,” Katarina summarizes.
TEXT: ANNA BERGSTRÖM
