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Children in Andøy rehearse a song ahead of the Light Festival, marking the start of the Bodø2024 European Capital of Culture year. Photo: Svein Spjelkavik.
Children present their hopes for the ocean and the future during the Light Festival on January 13 in Fyrvika, Andenes, in front of an audience of 250 people. Photo: Svein Spjelkavik.

The Whale for children and youth

In the development of The Whale, we place a strong emphasis on creating experiences for children and youth. They are the future stewards of the ocean, and we aim to provide them with experiences that both inspire and engage. Therefore, we prioritize making it accessible for families, school classes, and educational institutions to explore and learn about the world of the ocean in an exciting and meaningful way. Through activities and educational programs, we give children and youth the opportunity to understand the ocean's importance and their own role in caring for it.

At The Whale, the big questions about biodiversity, resource management, and climate change are made relevant and engaging for our guests. A visit with us is both an experience and an opportunity to learn about life in the ocean – without it feeling like a day at school.

The Whale places special focus on enhancing children and young people's understanding of the ocean's biodiversity and the interplay between nature and humans. The iconic role of whales makes them incredible ambassadors for the marine environment, and we see it as our mission to inspire engagement and interest in the next generation.

Children and youth in the development of The Whale

Children and youth have already played a vital role in the development of The Whale. Through various projects and activities, they have contributed and influenced our initiatives. The largest initiative so far is Oceans of Hope, a platform where children and youth can express their thoughts and dreams about the future, the ocean, and whales.

The initiative began with a large youth conference in February 2023, where several hundred students from Northern Norway participated. They attended lectures from national and international experts on the ocean, climate, environment, and whales. Oceans of Hope has since been expanded with a focus on primary schools and “children’s hopes,” culminating in an exhibition that was part of the conclusion of Bodø’s European Capital of Culture year in November 2024. This exhibition will also be showcased in Andenes in January 2025.

Read more about Oceans of Hope here.

Here are some of the activities in which children and youth have participated, as well as events specifically aimed at them:

 

 

Children in Andøy enjoy painting whale-themed artworks for the exhibition "In the Realm of Whales." Photo: Alf-Ragnar Olsen.

Art exhibition "In the Realm of Whales" (2017)

In March 2017, The Whale celebrated an important milestone with a grand community festival and whale parade. As part of the celebration, children from kindergartens in Andøy created an art exhibition in the skeleton room at the Whale Center. The drawings, made by children from across the municipality, were a tribute to whales and the ocean and were displayed throughout the summer. Around 100 children and adults attended when Mayor Jonni Solsvik opened the exhibition and declared Andøy the best place to learn about whales.

Svein-Terje K. Eliassen reads The Boy and the Whale by illustrator and author Linde Faas to kindergarten children. Photo: Camilla Ilmoni.

Storytelling for kindergartens (2019)

In 2019, The Whale invited kindergarten children to a magical experience with storytelling and animation. There was a reading of the children's book The Boy and the Whale by Linde Faas, a touching story about the friendship between a boy and a whale who go on an adventure together. While Svein Terje K. Eliassen read aloud to the children, the book's beautiful illustrations were animated and displayed on a large screen.

Whale ambassador Elliot Meier met Crown Prince Haakon (2020)

Elliot Meier, a young whale enthusiast from Sortland, has been an ambassador for The Whale since he was six years old. On March 5, 2020, he had the honor of meeting His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon in Fyrvika, Andenes. The meeting took place during the Crown Prince's visit to the area, and Elliot had the opportunity to share his great passion and knowledge about whales with the Crown Prince.

Children are invited to name The Whale's mascot. Photo: Camilla Ilmoni.

Teddynauten and Torhval (2022)

In 2022, The Whale and Andøya Space collaborated to engage students in Andøy, with a shared goal of sparking interest in the ocean and outer space among children and young people. The mascots – a sperm whale from The Whale and Teddynauten, Andøya Space's astronaut – explore the depths of the ocean and the far reaches of space together. The project highlights the fascinating parallels between the ocean and outer space, inspiring students to learn more about both.

As part of the collaboration, the students were invited to help name The Whale's new mascot, a sperm whale that resides in an underwater cave. A total of 194 creative name suggestions were submitted, and Thorval was chosen as the final name. The name was announced during a special school event with Øistein's Pencil, which engaged the children in drawing the mascots and inspired creative expression.

The children had the opportunity to meet a former whaler and hear him share stories about his ocean adventures. Photo: Filipa Grelo.

Workshop for children in São Miguel and Andøy (2023)

In 2023, The Whale organized workshops for children in São Miguel in the Azores and in Andøy. Through these workshops, the children explored the significance of the ocean and shared their hopes for the future. São Miguel and Andøy are connected through the migration of sperm whales between the regions, and the workshops highlighted their shared responsibility to protect the ocean.

The Youth Conference Oceans of Hope – a photo from the session held in Andenes. Photo: Svein Spjelkavik.

Oceans of Hope - Youth Conference (2023)

In February 2023, Oceans of Hope was launched with a hybrid youth conference that brought together several hundred participants from Andøy and Mo i Rana. Through inspiring lectures from national and international experts, young people had the opportunity to learn about the ocean's importance for climate and biodiversity. The conference was organized in collaboration with local schools and youth councils and laid the foundation for further work with children and youth.
Read more here.

The audience admires the light sculpture during the Light Festival in Fyrvika, Andenes. Photo: Svein Spjelkavik.

The Light Festival (2024)

As part of the pre-launch for Bodø2024, Andøy hosted a Light Festival in Fyrvika on January 13, 2024. Children and young people from across the municipality participated with light installations, music, and stories that highlighted hopes for the ocean and the future. The event marked the return of the sun and brought together over 250 participants to celebrate the importance of light in the north.

Leader of the Nordland Youth Council, Emma-Sofie Olafsen (on the left), together with a member of the audience during the opening of the Oceans of Hope exhibition in Bodø. Photo: Svein Spjelkavik.

Oceans of Hope Exhibition in Bodø (2024)

In November 2024, the exhibition Children's Hopes for the Ocean was showcased in Bodø as part of the conclusion of the Bodø2024 European Capital of Culture year. The exhibition presented thoughts and artwork from children in Andøy and São Miguel, two places connected by the ocean and the migration of sperm whales. Through the exhibition, the audience had the opportunity to experience the children's visions for a sustainable future.

 

 

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