Snowchange is proud to announce in collaboration with the Endangered Landscapes and Seascapes Programme and other supporters the fourth Festival of Northern Fishing Traditions to be held in North Karelia, Finland from 4th September to 8th September, 2024.
The Festival, fourth of its kind, will collect fishers and associated organizations and focus on restoration of aquatic ecosystems, preservation of artisanal fisheries and renewal of fishing traditions. The Festival was originally conceptualized by fisher Olli Klemola, one of the founders of Snowchange to be a meeting place and direct exchange of artisanal and traditional fishers. This year as the Festival returns to Finland we wish to expand and inform all about the link between small-scale fishers, ecosystem restoration and rewilding and renewal and importance of artisanal fishers, especially female professionals.
Summary of the programme is below. The programme will contain several workshops, panels, pop up events and lectures on the questions of artisanal and traditional fisheries, ecosystem restoration, traditional knowledge and field visits! Please check back in early August for travel and other precise information on the day to day specifics!
4th September delegates will arrive in North Karelia.
5th September will be an international ‘Fisher’s Market and Exchange’ in Tohmajärvi, Snowchange HQ including workshops and information booths on all international fishers, Snowchange fisheries and restoration using latest science and traditional knowledge especially from Koitajoki, a wide-ranging restoration landscape supported by the Endangered Landscapes and Seascapes Programme. The day will contain several events relevant to restoration, fisheries and waters.
6th September will be a day of field visits to see the unique river seining in the Koitajoki basin. Additionally the premiere of the Koitajoki Documentary and a public panel will take place in the evening. The documentary captures two years of work supported by Endangered Landscapes and Seascapes Programme in Koitajoki basin and is directed by Koitajoki artist in residency Thomas Miller (USA).
7th September will include visits to restoration sites in the area that support fish, water quality and have included the work of fishers. In the afternoon and evening we will proceed with Cultural Programme including a performance of Jukka Takalo and Heli-Maria Latola, Koitajoki artists in residency, international cultural programme and other events.
8th September the international delegates will return home. Please note changes to the programme are possible. More precise details will be released mid-August the latest here, check back for more updates then.