Our coastal culture is very open and dynamic. We have relatively few traditions compared with what you may find in farming societies. But at least we have "Fiskernes dag" - The Fishermens Day.
This tradition began in 1948, when a memorial commemorating all the fishermen who disappeared at sea was unveiled near Øksnes church. Every summer people gather at this church to honor those who didn't get a grave on land.
I have a lot oof slides covering many years of Fishermens Day celebrations. Here I'll show you a little collection from the 1985 event, when the weather was not the best. That puts more drama into the photos than a sunny day can do. I admit that I have skipped the religious part of the celebration. Instead you'll be a passenger on the parade!
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This is the church at Øksnes. It is made of timber, and the oldest logs are from the 1500s. The memorial stands on the point behind the sea house. |
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| The memorial looks at a modern trawler passing by on its way to the fishing grounds. Let's look at two plates on the memorials top stone. |
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The first shows a two fishermen, a father and his son, ready for a new day at sea, saying goodbye to other family members. |
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| The second shows them on the bottom of their boat, fighting for life. At least 700 fishermen in Øksnes got lost at sea between 1700 and 1900. |
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In the morning of The Fishermens Day boats of many types are getting ready for the parade to the church. This is not a fishing wessel - |
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| - but this is! We are at Myre harbour on Langøya on a windy day with some showers. The boats are waiting for the parade to begin. |
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And here we go! The boats line up on their way out from the harbour, adjusting the speed to allow the smaller boats to catch on. |
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| The boats glide slowly in orderly fashion towards Skogsøya and the church there, diesel motors humming and flags flapping in the wind. |
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Not all boats use a motor. Here is one of the small boats used at the fishing banks in the "sail and oars" time a hundred years or more ago. |
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| The boats gather outside the little quay. Landing process takes some time. The first passengers hastens up to the church through the rain. |
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Soon the boats are tied up side by side, making a long bridge out in the sea. Takes some time to get on land from the last boat! |
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| Seen from the quay the tall masts, carrying flags, aerials and cargo booms, create a fascinating forrest. |
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The mass is over, and the people gather around the memorial where a wreath will be laid down. Almost all of them have someone to remember there. |
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| Sunlight grazes white cockpits while the first passengers are getting on board for the return trip to Myre. Now the fun will begin! |
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The boats have untied, and every skipper looks for room. The trip to the church was a stately parade, the return is more like a race |
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| Full speed ahead! Compare this photo with any of the parade slides. In the background the church watches the disappearing boats. |
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Riding on the waves from another boat gives additional speed. It may look dangerous, but there are experienced hands on every steering wheel. |
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| Halfway home, and the fastest boats have taken the lead. As you will understand, The Fishermens Day is a photographers heaven! |
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The first one slows down as it glides past the beacon and into the Myre harbour. Now it's time for a good Sunday dinner - and dry clothes. |
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| Oh yes, the old boat got home at last. Many never made it when this was the main fishing boat. That's why we keep on celebrating The Fishermens Day. |
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