Engøyholmen Kystkultursenter

Engøyholmen Kystkultursenter (EKS) is a non-profit foundation and coastal culture centre located on two small islets in Stavanger's harbour basin in Norway. It was founded in 1990 by local branches of Fortidsminneforeningen (the Society for the Preservation of Norwegian Ancient Monuments) and Forbundet KYSTEN (the Coastal Federation, dedicated to the use and preservation of historic vessels and the coastal environment). The centre occupies a historic site featuring old boathouses, two herring-drying sheds (nottørker), two veteran vessels and a number of smaller boats that together represent different aspects of Norway's maritime history. The centre's stated mission is to serve as a competence centre for the dissemination of coastal culture in the region. Its activities are wide-ranging, encompassing school and kindergarten visits, forestry work, and the restoration of boats, vessels and buildings. A key concept developed at EKS is the "cultural-historical harbour landscape" (kulturhistorisk havnelandskap): the idea that within a relatively small area of Stavanger harbour one can take a time journey stretching from the 17th century to the present day, passing through the herring fisheries and canning industry, the age of sail and steamships, and finally the oil age and cruise traffic. A memorandum on this idea was sent to the Stavanger municipal planning department in 2004 and was quickly incorporated as a concept in the municipal master plan. Beyond heritage preservation, EKS operates as a social centre using traditional boatbuilding and restoration work as a pedagogical tool. It works primarily with troubled children aged 13–16 (grades 5–7), as well as young people facing problems with drugs, crime or unemployment. The main method is the use of manual work on boat repairs as an educational means, supplemented by outdoor experiences such as sailing trips and cooking with seafood. The centre develops its activities almost entirely within the educational system, in the form of social pedagogy. The physical site itself is historically significant. The original dock consists of two connected buildings on a small island, originally a herring-drying facility built in 1835 using traditional methods but in haste, with wood that happened to be at hand (including ship keels and masts). The buildings later processed anchovies and were used for packing lobsters. Between 1960 and 1970 they fell out of use, were left to decay and gradually deteriorated. A non-governmental organisation took over the buildings in 1989; the foundation was established in 1990, the first reconstruction of both houses took place, and in 1992 the first school project began. Today EKS remains an active cultural and social institution in Stavanger, combining maritime heritage preservation, traditional craft skills and social work for young people at risk.

Engøyholmen Kystkultursenter traces its origins to a historic dock on a small island in Stavanger's harbour. The two connected buildings that form the core of the site were originally a herring-drying facility (nottørker) built in 1835. They were constructed using traditional methods but in haste, solely to serve their immediate purpose, and the builders used whatever wood was at hand — including ship keels and masts. After the herring-drying period, the buildings were used for processing anchovies and later for packing lobsters. Between 1960 and 1970 they ceased to be used, were left to their fate, and gradually fell into decay. In 1989 a non-governmental organisation took over the buildings. In 1990 the Engøyholmen Kystkultursenter foundation was established by local branches of Fortidsminneforeningen (the Society for the Preservation of Norwegian Ancient Monuments) and Forbundet KYSTEN (the Coastal Federation, which works for the use and preservation of historic vessels and the coastal environment). The first reconstruction of both houses was carried out, and in 1992 the first school project began. The centre developed a dual mission: to preserve and communicate coastal culture, and to use traditional boatbuilding and restoration as a social-pedagogical tool. It works primarily with troubled children aged 13–16 (grades 5–7), as well as young people with problems related to drugs, crime or unemployment. The main method is manual work on boat repairs as an educational means, complemented by outdoor experiences such as sailing trips and cooking with seafood. The centre operates almost entirely within the educational system. A significant conceptual development was the idea of a "cultural-historical harbour landscape" (kulturhistorisk havnelandskap). In 2004 a memorandum on this idea was sent to the Byplanavdelingen (Town Planning Department) of Stavanger municipality. The idea was received very positively and was quickly incorporated as a concept in the municipal master plan. The rationale was that within a fairly small area of Stavanger harbour one can undertake a time journey stretching from the 17th century to the present day, with protected buildings and structures bearing clear traces of different periods of the city's economic history: the herring fisheries and canning industry, the age of sail and the steamship period with the necessary harbour expansions, and finally the oil age and cruise traffic. The centre today occupies two islets in Stavanger's harbour basin and maintains old boathouses, two herring-drying sheds, two veteran vessels and a number of smaller boats. It continues to operate as a competence centre for the dissemination of coastal culture in the region, with activities ranging from school and kindergarten visits to forestry work and the restoration of boats, vessels and buildings.

• 2004

  A memorandum on the 'cultural-historical harbour landscape' concept is sent to Stavanger's town planning department and is incorporated into the municipal master plan.

• 1992

  The first school project begins at the centre.

• 1990

  The Engøyholmen Kystkultursenter foundation is established by local branches of Fortidsminneforeningen and Forbundet KYSTEN; the first reconstruction of both houses takes place.

• 1989

  A non-governmental organisation takes over the buildings.

• 1960

  The buildings fall out of use and are left to decay.

• 1835

  The herring-drying buildings (nottørker) that form the core of the site are built using traditional methods.

A non-profit competence centre for coastal culture and social pedagogy, combining maritime heritage preservation with youth rehabilitation through traditional craft.

• School and kindergarten visits

• Forestry work

• Restoration of boats, vessels and buildings

• Social-pedagogical programmes for youth aged 13–16

• Outdoor and sailing experiences

• Seafood cooking activities

1. 1Engøyholmen Kystkultursenter - Forsideengoyholmen.no
2. 2Engøyholmen Kystkultursenterwikidata.org
3. 3Pobřežní kulturní centrum Engøyholmencs.wikipedia.org