Program

Program for Faroe Islands Seaman's day 2026

Programme — Faroese Seamen's Day 2026

Klaksvík · 17–23 August 2026

Faroese
Seamen's Day

Family days with cultural events, competitions, entertainment, talks, good food and fun for both children and adults. Everything is, of course, free.

Norðlýsið broadcasts live on Saturday 22 Aug FM 98.7nordlysid.fo

Monday · 17 August

The Fisheries Conference

20.00

Science, industry and the political will on demersal fishing

KG Hotel

More value from Faroese demersal fisheries — what does it take? Demersal fishing is at an exciting but challenging point. Better market prices, stronger fish stocks and large investments in new vessels are creating new opportunities.

Details

It opens with a presentation by Eydna í Homrum, head of department at the Marine Research Institute (Havstovan), on the views of the scientific advice. Then a conversation with Hanus Hansen, vessel owner, on the current situation and the prospects for a real renewal of the fleet. The conference closes with a conversation with Bárður á Steig Nielsen, Minister of Fisheries, on the demersal stocks, the fishing-day system and the political framework for the industry in the coming years. Starts promptly at 20:00 at KG Hotel. Everyone is warmly welcome!

Tuesday · 18 August

Talks at KG Hotel

19.00

The Ocean Decade for Sustainable Development

KG Hotel

The UN designated the years 2021–2030 as the “Ocean Decade for Sustainable Development.” Annika Sølvará, director of the Research Council, will describe aspects of the initiative and the Faroese participation, which is coordinated with Greenland and Denmark.

20.00

How is Faroese fishing doing?

KG Hotel

Sigurgunn W. Várting, researcher at Sjókovin, presents a status overview with particular focus on demersal fishing — trends in the fleet, fishing days, catch and landings, Faroese longline fishing and foreign catches in Faroese waters.

Wednesday · 19 August

A long life at sea

20.00

Jóan Petur Klein — a conversation at KG Hotel

KG Hotel

The editor of Norðlýsið, Jóhann Lützen, talks with 83-year-old Jóan Petur Klein about a long and varied life at sea. Jóan Petur first went to sea on the sloop Fimm Systrar in 1958 and later sailed on the Polarstjørnan, Norðingur and Pison, before coming ashore in 1988. The conversation also looks back on his childhood and youth in Hattarvík.

Thursday · 20 August

Football

19.30

KÍ - Riga FC

Friday · 21 August

Fishing contest & water fight

17.00

Fishing contest at Kósabrúgvin for all children

Kósabrúgvin

Children must bring their own line and life vest. Arrive in good time. Children and adults get coffee, cocoa and treats.

More details

Registration at Kósabrúgvin, where participants receive bait, a bag and a slip of paper. Medals for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in these groups: girls under school age, boys under school age, girls of school age and boys of school age — plus a ticket to Circus Baldoni and treats. Whoever catches the biggest fish is crowned fishing king/queen and receives a cup and a jig from Berglon. The medal ceremony is on the main stage on Saturday morning, 22 August at 11.15.

18.00

Big water fight — ships, boats and on land

On Vágur & the west side

Ships and boats dock at Kósabrúgvin, take people aboard, and then the battle begins among the boats on Vágur. The fire brigade and rescue teams take part. The fight ends when the coast-guard vessel sounds its horn three times.

More details

On the west side, in front of Northern Fish Cold Storage, there is a big water fight on land for those who don't want to go aboard. Pirates visit. Everyone taking part can expect to get soaked — wear warm clothes. Throwing water balloons into the sea is not allowed. Remember to wear a life vest!

Saturday · 22 August

Seamen's Day

09.00

Seamen's Day dip

The boathouse at Flesjar in Borðoyarvík. There will likely be something good on offer.

09.00

The sailing ships set sail

The Faroese wooden sailing ships and motorboats gather on Pollur.

10.00

The ships dock

Jóhanna, Westward Ho, Dragin, Grinkil, Norðlýsið, Thorshavn and Norðan. Innermost in the corner by Stórukai.

10.30

The flag is raised to the top

while the national anthem is sung. Then the Faroese Seamen's Day 2026 is opened on the main stage, and everyone is invited to the big breakfast table on the quay.

Area

Main stage

10:45 – 19:00

10.45

Welcome

Karl Johansen, mayor of Klaksvík Municipality, gives the welcome

10.55

The Seamen's Day is opened

Bárður á Steig Nielsen, Minister of Fisheries, opens the Faroese Seamen's Day

11.05

Honorary medals for the best ships and boats

Bárður á Steig Nielsen, Minister of Fisheries, presents honorary medals to the best ships and boats in the Faroes

11.15

The fishing-contest winners are honoured

A representative of the Faroese Seamen's Day presents medals to the winners of the fishing contest. The biggest fish is chosen.

Fishing contest: Medal, Circus Baldoni ticket and a bag of treats for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the four groups.

Biggest fish: Cup and jig from Berglon

11.25

The biggest fish is dissected

Researchers from Havstovan cut open the biggest fish from the contest and briefly explain about it.

11.45

Winding yarn into a net

Faroese championship — for pairs.

The winning pair: Gift card from Hilton Garden Inn for 2 nights in a double room for 2 people including breakfast. A set menu for 2 at Hallartún on one of the evenings, drinks not included.

12.05

Casting a longline

Faroese championship.

Faroese champion

Silver winner

Bronze winner

12.20

Bait cutting

Faroese championship.

Faroese champion: gift card of 5,000 kr. · Atlantic Airways

Silver winner

Bronze winner

12.40

The Ship-list Quiz — preliminary round

Ernst S. Olsen & Gunnar Nolsøe. Kahoot! on your phone — download the app. The final is at 16.20.

13.15

Baiting

Faroese championship.

Faroese champion: gift voucher of 5,000 kr. · Kjølur

Silver winner: gift voucher of 3,000 kr. · Kjølur

Bronze winner: gift voucher of 2,000 kr. · Kjølur

14.00

Trawl mending

Faroese championship.

Faroese champion: a weekend at Captains Cottage · Skippers' & Navigators' Association

Silver winner

Bronze winner

14.50

Seaman's pull — preliminary round

15.40

Cake baking — Faroese championship

Cakes must be handed in at Antinis at 11–12. Judges: Konditori Marietta, Ranvá Knudsen, Heðin Arge.

Best taste: Samsung Galaxy S26 256GB Cobalt Violet from Føroya Tele (value 8,299 kr.) and a bag of Callebaut chocolate

Best technique: Gift card from Bónus of 3,000 kr. and a bag of Callebaut chocolate

Best creativity: Gift card from FK of 3,000 kr. and a bag of Callebaut chocolate

16.00

Arctic Young Chef — winner revealed

The Nordic cooking competition for young chefs. Read more at ayc.fo

16.20

The Ship-list Quiz — Final

Ernst S. Olsen & Gunnar Nolsøe.

Faroese champions

17.10

Holding a grapnel — men

Faroese championship.

Faroese champion

Silver winner

Bronze winner

17.40

Holding a grapnel — women

Faroese championship.

Faroese champion

Silver winner

Bronze winner: access to Aldu Spa · KG Hotel

18.10

Box stacking & swimming across Vágur — revealed

Swimming across Vágur

Faroese champion, women: gift card 5,000 kr. · Atlantic Airways

Faroese champion, men: gift card 5,000 kr. · Atlantic Airways

Box stacking

Faroese champion: iPhone 17 256GB Sage, value 7,999.00 · Føroya Tele

Silver winner

Bronze winner

18.30

Tug of war between ships' crews

8 people per team.

Faroese champion: A cruise with Norrøna to Iceland for 12 people

18.50

Seaman's pull — Final

Faroese championship.

Faroese champion

Silver winner

On the Silva stage

12:00 – 16:30

12.00

The operettas

13.00

Trøllapætur, omman & ommudidd rock

14.00

Filip á Smið

15.00

Children's activity and group games with Kæti

Afterwards Silvi treats all the children to something nice.

16.30

Flókar

Kids' area

12:00 – 19:00

12–19

Rowing on rafts

For children and youth in the shallow pool.

12–18

Bouncy castles

12–18

Face painting

in the Trygd tent .

12–15

Balloons

Betri Trygging — offers balloons.

13–18

Soft ice cream

MBM and the Seamen's Day — offer soft ice cream.

13–17

French hot dogs

Trygd — offers all children French hot dogs.

The grounds

13:00 – 19:00

13–19

The Faroes' tastiest fish table

JFK serves Fish & Chips. The fish is first-class cod from Gadus, while the chips are made from new potatoes from England, particularly well suited to the purpose. To shorten the queue, each person can have at most four portions.

Føroya Bjór serves soft drinks and water from the Føroya Bjór stall.

Bakkafrost are proud of their tasty and healthy salmon, farmed in the Faroese fjords. Again this year Bakkafrost will serve free samples on the quay. Hopefully they will inspire other salmon dishes.

Christian í Grótinum and Amarant. During this year's Seamen's Day we serve a poke bowl with warm-smoked mackerel. Afterwards Amarant offers coffee and a rhubarb dessert.

Kl. 14 - 18 Grilled pilot-whale meat with creamed potatoes.

13–18

Popcorn, coffee, biscuits & juice

KAV & Norðvask — below Roykivirkið.

13–17

Open house at Looknorth

Looknorth offers everyone coffee/tea and waffles. There is a tour of the premises, and a chance to see the production and the products Looknorth makes.

13–17

Open house at Netastovan

Netastovan offers everyone coffee/tea and something sweet. There is a chance to see our production.

14–17

Box stacking

Faroese championship. Results announced on the main stage at 18.10.

In the big tent

09:00 – 18:00

09–15

Arctic Young Chef (AYC)

The Nordic cooking competition for young chefs.

10.40

Big breakfast table

11–18

Art exhibition

Lydia Petersen, Monica Ósá Henriksen & Magna Auðunsson.

On the water

09:00 – 17:00

09.00

Sailing ships set sail

Wooden sailing ships and motorboats gather on Pollur.

10.00

The ships arrive at Klaksvík

Jóhanna, Westward Ho, Dragin, Grinkil, Norðlýsið, Thorshavn & Norðan — at Stórukai.

11–17

Pirate ship

Trøllapætur, omman & ommudidd sail short trips with children.

11–17

Open ship

Westward Ho · Norðan · Dragin · Thorshavn.

13–18

Wild on the water

Free rides on fast RIB boats.

13.30

Rescue demonstration

Norðoya Rescue Association.

14–17

Open ship

The rescue boat Ziska & the coast-guard vessels.

15.25

Swimming contest across Vágur

Men & women. ÆGIR organises — register: SMS with name to 229950.

Sunday · 23 August

Church service & seamen's meeting

11.00

Seamen's church service

Christianskirkjan (Christian's Church)

18.00

Seamen's meeting

KFUM & K Klaksvík

Everyone warmly welcome.