Sweden's and Finland's governments are nominating net fishing in the Torneälven, which forms part of the border between the countries, to UNESCO's representative list of humanity's intangible cultural heritage.
"Net fishing in the Torneälven is a cultural heritage that has a strong anchorage among practitioners. It binds people in Sweden and Finland together in a cultural and linguistic community, regardless of national borders. It is a living cultural heritage that we should be proud of", says Minister of Culture Parisa Liljestrand (The Moderate Party) in a press release.
UNESCO's committee for the convention on safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage is expected to make a decision on the matter in December 2026.
Sweden has previously had two cultural heritages, Nordic clinker boat traditions and transhumance, on the list.
