Nordic Clinker Boat Conference 2025

Nordic Clinker Boat Conference 4.-6.9.2025 in Kotka and Loviisa, Finland

The Nordic clinker boat traditions was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2021 and it was the first Nordic nomination. Nordic cooperation has existed in the background for years before, with the first large-scale Nordic conference taking place in Denmark in autumn 2023.

The first day of the conference will take place at the Maritime Centre Vellamo in Kotka. Guests will have the opportunity to visit the exhibitions of the the Maritime Museum of Finland and the Finnish Wooden Boat Centre. On the second day, we will travel to Loviisa to Tradition Centre Kuggom, where we will continue our work in workshops discussing different topics among professionals and enthusiasts. On the third day, we will sail in the Gulf of Finland.

The conference will include presentations from different countries on wooden boat, sailing and archipelago culture, networking, workshops on different topics and of course sailing on clinker boats.

The aim of the conference is to ensure that the inscription on UNESCO's Representative List leads to concrete actions and practical projects that will ensure the safeguarding and transmission valuable living traditions and know-how in the Nordic countries and at national level. Several projects have been launched in the Nordic countries to develop this heritage.

The event is organized in cooperation between the Finnish Heritage Agency, the City of Kotka, the Finnish Maritime Museum, Kuggom Heritage Centre and Finnish wooden boat builders. The event is open to all and registration will open in spring 2025. The event will be held in English and Scandinavian languages.

Mark the event in your calendar now!

More information

Leena Marsio, Senior advisor, Finnish Heritage Agency
leena.marsio@museovirasto.fi +358 29533 6017