WOODEN BOATBUILDING HERITAGE AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP: A CONSTRUCTIVE DIALOGUE BETWEEN GREECE AND NORWAY

EuroMare, with 30 years of experience in cultural projects and management, launches an innovative and creative initiative to enhance cultural entrepreneurship and preserve traditional wooden boatbuilding in Greece and Norway, both among the strongest maritime countries in Europe.

Funded by the EEA Grants, the project aims to highlight wooden boatbuilding as an integral part of cultural heritage, recognised on the National Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists of both countries. The Hardanger Maritime Centre, partner of the initiative in Norway, is a leading centre for the preservation and promotion of maritime cultural heritage in Europe.

The project focuses on studying and documenting traditional vessels, raising public awareness, addressing the lack of human resources and fostering bilateral exchanges of boatbuilding expertise. Through two workshops/meetings involving boatbuilders, craftsmen, industry representatives, and specialised journalists from both countries, the initiative aspires to play a pivotal role in the preservation and revival of this craft. The first workshop will take place in Syros, Greece (12-13-14 December), followed by a second in Bergen region, Norway (20-21 January) in 2025.

Additionally, a modern digital platform will be launched to promote the project’s activities and increase public engagement about this historical activity that needs immediate attention and care.

The Three Key Actions of the Project:

1. Mapping Traditional Boats, Materials, Techniques, and Construction Methods
1.1 Study and documentation of traditional boat types, materials, and construction techniques in Norway and Greece.
1.2 Documentation of best practices.
1.3 Study and documentation of findings from both countries.

2. Increasing Public Awareness of Traditional Boats and Addressing the Shortage of Skilled Craftsmen
2.1 Documentation and Digital Presence:
Development of a dedicated website for knowledge-sharing and promoting wooden boatmaking. This platform will serve as a bilingual digital resource, featuring an online catalogue of the history and diversity of wooden boats.
2.2 Public Engagement:
Strong social media presence to engage the public and promote traditional boats, with a strategic plan for sustained social media initiatives.
2.3 Addressing the Shortage of Craftsmen:
Outreach to local and private organizations to highlight the need for training new craftsmen, alongside a structured action plan to support the education of aspiring boatbuilders.

3. Workshops and Meetings in Greece and Norway
Organisation of workshops and meetings with boatbuilders, craftsmen, industry representatives, and specialised journalists to facilitate skill exchange and collaboration between the two countries:
3.1 Workshop in Greece (Syros). 12-13-14 December 2024,
3.2 Workshop in Norway (Bergen), 20-21 January 2025.