Showcasing Sámi boatbuilding
Riddu Riđđu, Nord-Troms Museum, The Norwegian Coastal Federation / Forbundet KYSTEN and Arctandria / Tromsø Coastal group joins forces during this summer's Riddu Riđđu festival to show North-Norwegian coastal culture.
The traditional fishing boat from this area in the 18th century, the Nordland boat, is a strong marker in North Norwegian coastal culture history. It has in many ways been considered a "Norwegian" boat, but was also used and built by all ethnicities in the northern Norwegian population. Thus, both by Sami, Kvens and Norwegians. During this summer's Riddu Riđđu festival there will be an exhibition of up to 15 boats, from the smallest 15-foot to two 40 and 44-foot, all with full sail.
Members of Arctandria will sail several of the boats to Kåfjord, and during the festival, members of the coastal team will share practices and usage of the boats with the audience through activities in the form of maintenance of hull and rigging, forging, rowing, etc. Ingrid Sommerseth in Arctandria / Tromsø coastal group says; "In view of our common coastal culture, it will be fun when we bring the sea to the Riddu Riđđu fields. We will sail in the North-Troms area with the fembøringen “Salarøy” in the week running up to the festival and it will be a significant sight when "Salarøy" at 44 feet (13.41 meters) and the other boats will be transported from the port to the festival area"
For several years, KYSTEN has worked on many fronts to ensure the knowledge of the use and preservation of historical vessels, coastal culture and maritime heritage and especially to get Nordic clinker boat traditions inscribed on the UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. "With the exhibition this summer, we want to highlight an under-communicated part of the Norwegian maritime history, the role of coastal Sámi communities as carriers and managers of the boatbuilding traditions in the north. It is done best when the audience is also allowed to see and get on the boats," says Tore Friis-Olsen in the Norwegian Coastal Federation KYSTEN.
Festivals director Karoline Trollvik looks forward to the cooperation and says; "We as a coastal Sámi festival feel a responsibility to raise awareness of our coastal Sami history. In Kåfjord, it has long been a commitment to make the Nordlands boat visible in a coastal Sámi context. The Nordlands boat is also a great symbol of multicultural coastal adaptations, and how cooperation between Sami, Norwegians and Kvens have been practiced in our areas throughout history".
«Sailing with Arctandria - Tromsø coastal group - Norwegian coastal federationa/ KYSTEN»:
