Kven people facts for kids
The Kvens are a special group of people who live in Norway. They are part of a larger group called the Finnic peoples. Kvens are descendants of farmers and fishermen who moved to Northern Norway a long time ago, in the 1700s and 1800s. They came from the northern parts of Finland and Sweden.
In 1996, the government of Norway officially said that Kvens were a minority group. This meant their unique culture and history were recognized. Later, in 2005, Norway officially made the Kven language a minority language. This helps to protect and keep their language alive.
Who Are the Kvens?
The Kvens are an ethnic minority in Norway. This means they are a smaller group of people living in a country where most people are different. They have their own unique history and culture. Their language, Kven, is closely related to Finnish.
Where Did They Come From?
Most Kvens are descendants of people who moved from northern Finland and Sweden. These people were often peasants (farmers) and fishermen. They moved to Northern Norway during the 18th and 19th centuries. They were looking for new land to farm and better fishing opportunities.
Official Recognition
For many years, the Kvens were not officially recognized as a separate group in Norway. However, this changed in recent times.
- In 1996, the Norwegian government officially recognized the Kvens as a national minority group. This was an important step to protect their culture and rights.
- In 2005, the Kven language was officially recognized as a minority language in Norway. This means that efforts are made to teach and preserve the Kven language, which is very important for their cultural identity.
