Faroese boatbuilding tradition faces challenges for survival

The Faroese National Museum, the Faroese UNESCO committee, and Runavík Municipality will meet next week to discuss how to preserve the cultural heritage surrounding Faroese boats, reports Kringvarp Føroya.

While the National Museum preserves several Faroese boats for display, officials say current efforts are insufficient. “The big question is how we can create a framework and how we can ensure the future use of Faroese boats,” said Herleif Hammer, director of the National Museum.

The Faroese boat holds significant cultural value, comparable to landmarks like the Kirkjubøur ruins, Hammer explained. “The boat is a living tradition that also plays a major role in how we define ourselves and express our identity.” In 2021, Faroese boatbuilding was added to UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Next Tuesday, stakeholders will gather in Borg á Glyvrum to strategize on safeguarding the tradition. The meeting follows recent media coverage highlighting the challenges facing Faroese boat culture.