The Napoleonic War had an impact on Finnmark.

On July 22. 1809, early in the morning, about a hundered men in Hammerfest watched as two English warvessels approached the harbour. The men were locals, and they were prepared to operate the cannons, rifles and spears which were shiped to Hammerfest in hope that it would be possible to fight back an English attack on the town.

In 1809 Norway was ruled by the kingdom of Denmark, which at the time was allied with France. It was an English strategic plan to blockade all trade which involved profrench countries during the Napoleonic war.

In Finnmark the consequence was that the trade between Norway and Russia had to be put to an end. The vessels Fency and Strike targeted Hammerfest. Nightingale attacked Hasvik.

Hammerfest will mark the occation to commemorate the events that happened 200 years ago, as it was also done in 1909, on July 22. The speach that were delivered in 1909 will be read again as a part of a historic lecture in Arkitisk Kultursenter at 18.00.

Before the lecture, at 12.00, the official program will start by the stone monument in the park next to Rica Hotel. There will be speaches and music, followed by a guided tour to Fuglenesodden.