Kielilistassa

Kielilistassa is a small village situated in the western part of Finland, within the boundaries of the municipality of Verran in the Ostrobothnia region. It lies approximately 15 kilometers north of the municipal center and is accessible via a local county road that connects it to the larger highway network. The village is located on the edge of a mixed forest area that transitions to a more pastoral landscape toward the coast, providing a varied terrain that has historically supported both forestry and small-scale agriculture.

The history of Kielilistassa dates back to the late 18th century, when the area was first settled by Finnish-speaking families moving inland to escape overcrowding along the coast. The name "Kielilistassa," which can be interpreted as “in the language list,” reflects the community’s strong linguistic heritage and its role in preserving the local Ostrobothnian dialect. During the 19th century, the village developed modest trading posts that served the surrounding rural population, and by the early 20th century a primary school was established to accommodate the children of the growing settlement.

Today, the population of Kielilistassa ranges between 120 and 160 residents. The local economy is dominated by small-scale forestry, seasonal tourism, and a network of artisanal crafts that draw on traditional woodworking and textile techniques. Cultural life centers on a yearly folk festival that celebrates regional music and the traditional Ostrobothnian dance. The village also maintains a small community library that hosts language and history workshops, reinforcing the sense of cultural continuity that has shaped Kielilistassa’s identity for more than two centuries.