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THE WHALE
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Over 160 people attended to celebrate 10 years since the idea of The Whale was born. Maria Sommer from Dorte Mandrup took the audience on a virtual tour of the building, while Tim Ventimiglia from Ralph Appelbaum Associates Berlin and Marc Tamschick from TAMSCHICK MEDIA+SPACE presented their plans for designing the experience and content for The Whale.

The evening also featured The Whale's chairman Benn Eidissen, board member Lisbeth Sepola, Mayor Kjell Are Johansen, Andenes Mannskor, and Crescendo. Camilla Ilmoni and Hanne Strager from The Whale hosted the event.

OVE PEDERSEN, originally from Fauske and now living in Bleik, has worked as a freelancer in music, sound, and film since 2001, mainly in Norway and Mexico. Through his collaboration with whale researcher Tiu Similä, the world of whale sounds opened up to him.

At The Whale's 10th anniversary in Fyrvika, Ove and Kine Eliassen welcomed guests with a microphone, inviting them to find their "inner whale." During the 90-minute event, Ove mixed the sounds received from the audience with authentic reverb from Eggakanten, based on his recordings from "Bleiksdypet," the continental shelf underwater off Andenes where whales are often found. On their way out, guests heard the finished sound piece.

The Whale
- a new international attraction in Andenes, Vesterålen

Since the dawn of time, whales have been an important part of Norwegian coastal culture and for the people along the coast. Whales fascinate, inspire and have been both an important resource and the origin of myths. With The Whale, we will take on the national task of continuing Norway's strong history of sustainable management of marine ecosystems.

The Whale is scheduled to open in June 2027.

Our vision: The Whale will create the world’s most meaningful encounter between humans and whales.

Our mission: Through magnificent experiences, new perspectives, and closeup encounters, we will showcase the whales, awaken humans and protect the ocean.

About the place
Andøy in Vesterålen is one of the best places in the world to see whales. It is the place in Europe where the deep sea is closest to land. Only 10 km from the coastline, the continental shelf plunges steeply into the depths and the cold and nutrient-rich water wells up. The underwater canyon Bleiksdjupet stretches towards Andøya and contributes to creating perfect conditions for an exceptionally rich and unique wildlife.
The Whale is not a traditional natural history museum, a conventional art museum or a nature center. It is also not a research institution or a knowledge center, but it combines the best of such places and fuses it into something new. The Whale is a unique attraction and an exciting learning arena for children, young people, and adults. A place that combines the best of the worlds of science and art. At the same time, there must be room for both experience, reflection, new knowledge, and old wisdom.
About the experience
About the building
The Whale will be built on the rocky shore on the west side of Andenes, with Andenes Lighthouse as its nearest neighbor and near the city center. The panoramic view towards the ocean is spectacular. The building, which was designed by Dorte Mandrup, Copenhagen, is shaped like a whale and the very special architecture has already received massive international attention. The Whale AS has applied for funding to the Ministry of Culture together with the Ministry of Trade and Fisheries, for the design and construction of The Whale. The application is being processed and a clarification on further progress of the project will come during the spring of 2023.

The project is supported by