Danish and Nordic Tall Ships 2023

STORY:

Every year at this time of the year do all the old Tall ships in Denmark gather in an old Viking hide-away area called  Limfjorden for a race around the islands and living the old naval life.

Tall ships are special because they honor the rich maritime heritage.

These are the ships that transported goods from for instance China to Denmark and all of Europe, like Danish ships still do today.
This historic maritime heritage are reminding people of the days when wooden sailing vessels were the way to explore the world and creating trade, understanding and friendship between nations like China and Denmark

“A wooden ship is interesting for most people. It tells a story. It says something, it speaks to people”, says participating sailor and shipbuilder Finn Nielsen.

The Nordics’ largest wooden tall ship race gathers around 60 impressive wooden ships for a race lasting several days. “I like to sail a good boat race”, says female sailor Anne Flohr Bolette. The race visits 6 ports and there are winners in different categories.

Tall Ships are divided into 12 categories. The smallest with 1 mast are used for quick transport of humans and a little bigger for transport. The biggest have 3 masts and were used to cross the big oceans. 

Ship builder Finn Nielsen continues: “It’s beautiful to see all the ships”.

Many young and old sailors learn valuable sailing skills on these historic vessels.

Young sailor-student Jonathan Rousseau explains: “It is a love for these ships and love for sailing, and of course all these people that meet every year. Just love it”.

Sailors are of course known for their parties in a port and during the Tall Ship race do boats host alternately in all 6 ports.

“People just meet up and have fun, dance together and then go out sailing” continuous Jonathan Rousseau, student sailor continuous. “It’s all about good seamanship, and trying to learn from everybody. We take in young people and keep everything alive. It’s just fantastic”

Sailing with Tall ships is also becoming popular, because it is relying on wind power rather than fossil fuels. In an era of environmental concerns, these races promote consciousness and the importance of preserving our oceans.

These events celebrate the bond between people that love life as a sailor, but also the sailing trips around the world. Tall ships and sailors that created connection, understanding and friendship. Their tall ships were in many ways the instrument that shaped and developed the nation’s history and culture.
End