NITWAP - Neighbors in Times of War and Peace

About the project

To strengthen and develop the cultural heritage in the Kvarken region the project will work cross-border in close cooperation with local heritage associations (hembygdsföreningar). The Kvarken region has a long common history with similar culture on both sides.

During the 18th and 19th centuries there have been times of war and times of peace in the region. Contacts between both sides of Kvarken have been very important during the whole time. There have been family ties and the local population, mainly farmers, sailed across the sea to trade goods. Apart from the war in 1808-1809, after which Finland became a part of Russia, the Great Wrath, 1714 - 1721 (stora ofreden eller stora Nordiska kriget) and the Crimean War, 1853 - 1856, had a huge impact on the area.

The project will document local knowledge of that time through contacts and workshops with the local population and local heritage associations, and produce new knowledge through studies in archives.

Project goal

The project aims to develop and make visible the tangible and intangible cultural heritage of the Kvarken region. By working cross-border with local heritage associations and developing their activities, the project aims to raise and spread knowledge about the shared history of the Kvarken region. The focus will be on the 18th and 19th centuries, when many contacts across the Kvarken are documented, while several wars affected the region. Not least the war of 1808-1809, which resulted in the Kvarken region being divided into two countries. Peacetime contacts by for instance sailing are equally important.

To achieve this, new knowlege will be produced, cross-border workshops for local history associations will be held. A book and brochures will be produced, and exhibitions with common base and local adaptations will be created.

A common digital platform for documenting places and histories will be created. It can be used by local history associations on both sides of the Kvarken.