Catalans Abroad

Marta Prats

Lillehammer (Norway)

Lillehammer: cold city, warm people

Why did you leave Catalonia?
–I was working in a travel agency, where I met Arve, now my husband. We married here but he really missed his hometown, Lillehammer, and we decided to give it a try. We moved in 2004 and we're very happy.
Are you happy with the job opportunities you found in your adoptive country?
–Yes, I am. It was quite easy to find a job here in Lillehammer, because it's a hot touristic spot for Norwegians and visitors from the neighbour countries.
What do you think is the best thing about living here?
–If you like skiing (and I do) this is a perfect place to live in! The 1994 Winter Olympic Games left a great infrastructure here, and people is very open-minded. They are used to receiving hundreds of visitors on a daily basis, so they are very welcoming.
What would you most like to change?
–Well, I love the winter, the snow and the cold weather, but I have to admit that sometimes I miss the summer in Catalonia, the beach, to go out with friends for some tapes...
What do you consider the highlights for any brief visit for the first time?   
–If you can choose when to come, I'd recommend you to do it for the Birkebeinerrennet, a Viking-origin, long-distance cross-country ski marathon held annually here in Lillehammer. More than 6.000 skiers take part!
Marta Prats is from Barcelona, and 10 years ago married a Norwegian. Since then they have lived in Lillehammer with their two children, and their dog.
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