Whale of a Weekend Lived Up To Its Name

Facing the past with humanity: The Whalers’ Memory Bank

It was a powerful moment to sit in the audience as Dan Snow officially launched the Whalers’ Memory Bank—a deeply moving digital archive preserving the voices of Scottish whaling men and their communities. But even more impactful was the presence of those whalers themselves! Many had travelled from the Shetland Islands, where in decades past, there was no choice but to go to sea if you wanted to feed your family. It wasn’t adventure—it was a necessity. Our Museum Team:  (https://sgmuseum.gs) carried forward the oral histories of the whalers that was started first by Project Atlantis and then by the University of Dundee (the former Centre for Remote Environment back in the early 2000’s).

 

Meeting these men was humbling to say the least. There was emotion in the air—some of it a surprise. For years, some of us who deeply love the animals of South Georgia had quietly painted whalers as villains. But here, face- to-face, were men of integrity who had inherited their roles, just as their fathers and grandfathers had. What we saw in them was not brutality, but a reverence for the whale, akin to how Native Americans once regarded the buffalo—sacred, powerful, and sustaining.

Ex-Whaler from South Georgia Island speaks to the Artist, Michael Visocchi, who designed the art installation Commensalis starting with the Key Table currently being transported to South Georgia Island.

Why so many Shetlanders?

• Economic hardship: Fishing alone couldn’t sustain many families. Whaling was brutal but paid well, especially for skilled seamen.
• Norwegian connection: Many of the whaling operations in South Georgia were run by Norwegian companies (like Grytviken’s Compañía Argentina de Pesca, led by Carl Anton Larsen), and Shetlanders—due to their seafaring skills, linguistic ties, and cultural similarities—were highly sought-after crew.
• Multi-season contracts: Many Shetlanders worked seasonally in South Georgia, often spending the Austral Summer working there and returning home to the Shetlands for the Northern Summer.
• Shetland’s connection to South Georgia is deep and personal. Many of those same men who once hunted whales later became passionate supporters of South Georgia’s conservation. The Whale of a Weekend attendees witnessed this first hand—living history walking among us.

Now in their later years, many of these men are passionate conservationists and vocal supporters of South Georgia’s protection. That kind of transformation—and the grace to share it—is something worth remembering.

An Art Installation at South Georgia Island to Commemorate the Memory of Whales Lost to the Whaling Industry

 

Commensalis: giving form to memory

Few public artworks land with the resonance of Michael Visocchi’s Commensalis: The Spirit Tables of South Georgia. Kicking off the weekend Thursday afternoon, we met with the artist and were treated to  an unveiling of one major component of the thought-provoking installation now headed to Grytviken, South Georgia.

The Key Table is a large, round art installation that was centrally placed on the esplanade between Discovery Point and the V&A Museum in Dundee. Attendees were invited into the process—and were struck by the poignancy—of this monumental sculpture. Constructed from Corten steel that mimics the whale oil vats once used in South Georgia, the Key Table glowed in the afternoon sunlight with a rusty gravitas.

Even more moving were the authentic antiquated metal rivets, salvaged from discarded material from South Georgia and embedded into the work—each one representing 50 whales killed. Grand total of whales dispatched at South Georgia Island: approx 175,000. The visual impact was stunning. One could almost hear the echo of history vibrating through the copper-toned distressed metal.

Artist Michael Vissochi’s  use of biological “commensalism” as a design concept worked as a perfect symbolism.. This term refers to a relationship where two different species benefit without harming one another. Michael offered a vision not just of mourning, but of hope. His work honors the past while making space for a more balanced relationship between humanity and the wild. The word “Commensalis” is derived from the Latin term commēnsālis, which literally means “sharing a table.”

In biology, commensalism describes a relationship between two organisms where one benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed. Think of barnacles hitching a ride on a whale—they gain transportation and access to food, while the whale goes about its day unbothered. The association to the barnacle imagery was not lost on Michael’s artwork with each rivet not only representing 50 whales killed but also suggestive of these small crustaceans with hard shells.

In the context of the Whale Memorial sculpture, “Commensalis” serves as both a biological metaphor and a philosophical reflection—evoking a time when whales and humans shared the same ecosystem, albeit with vastly different consequences. The name invites us to imagine a future where we might “share the table” with nature more respectfully, with no harm done. Help us continue to create the next installation for the Whale Memorial and watch our short film that describes Commensalis in greater detail by the artist: https://sght.org/whale-memorial/

 

History finds its pulse: Shackleton’s ship and the men who found her

Of all the weekend’s events, few reached the emotional crescendo of the Endurance22 film screening and Q&A. Expedition leader Dr. John Shears, documentarian Dan Snow of the History Hit Channel, and sub-sea engineer Nico Vincent shared the gripping, behind-the-scenes account of the 2022 discovery of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance, perfectly preserved on the Weddell Sea floor in Antarctica.

For many attending the Endurance Presentation,, tears flowed freely. These were not just tales of technology and sonar, but of human resolve and redemption. Shackleton’s spirit—his refusal to give up on his stranded men, and the sheer improbability of the original journey—was mirrored in the precision and care shown by the Endurance22 team. It was an unforgettable moment of modern exploration tethered to a century-old legend.

The film is currently streaming on Disney + and Hulu. A must see, the film reflects upon the story of Ernest Shackleton’s polar saga of shipwreck and his commitment to the men who trusted him.  As the Expedition Leader, John Shears and company almost failed to find Endurance, but never gave up until they explored the last possible quadrant of the ocean they had targeted where good fortune found them.  Their tale was a dramatic Crescendo that Shackleton, a.k.a The Boss, would have approved of.

And so just like Shackleton, Shears, Vincent and Snow taught us that in facing off with a great chance of  failure, success is still  possible if one never gives up. Or as Shackleton’s family motto goes: “By Endurance We Conquer.” John Shears and Nico Vincent’s book Endurance 22  is a must read for South Georgia aficionados. Afterall, Ernest Shackleton is forever intertwined with the history of the island. Get it on Amazon by using the hyperlink above.

See Dan Snow’s video below about the Manager’s Villa what we are doing to preserve this iconic building in Stromness, South Georgia and its connection to the bravery of Shackleton, Worsley and Crean.

 

Science for the future: monitoring whales and managing the sea

Throughout the weekend, scientists from the British Antarctic Survey and the Natural History Museum laid out the latest research on whale population recovery, krill fisheries, and the delicate balance within the Southern Ocean. It was a comfort to learn how many wise, dedicated professionals are working on the ground and from the skies to ensure South Georgia’s waters remain a sanctuary for marine life.

 

Drones, acoustic sensors, and tracking software aren’t just flashy tools—they’re preserving the lives of the many animals that live within the Southern Ocean.

The vision presented was clear: with continued funding and collaboration (especially between South Georgia Heritage Trust, Friends of South Georgia Island and British Antarctic Survey Scientists), South Georgia can serve as a blueprint for how a ravaged ecosystem can come roaring back.

Preserving Shackleton’s South Georgia: the Stromness Manager’s Villa

Conservation was everywhere during the weekend, but one particular project hit home hard: the effort to save the Stromness Manager’s Villa. This simple wooden structure is more than just a decaying building—it’s where Ernest Shackleton knocked on the door in 1916, looking like a ghost after months at sea and on the ice, to begin the rescue of his stranded crew.

Preserving the whole of Stromness may be a long road, but beginning with the Villa feels exactly right. This house—humble, weathered, and heavy with meaning—represents one of the greatest leadership stories of the 20th century. Letting it fall into ruin would be an insult to that legacy. FOSGI and SGHT are honored to be a part of this historical preservation process. It’s now full speed ahead as the plans have now been completed and carpenters will be heading there for the austral summer. We hope to have a virtual walk thru link for those to enjoy worldwide upon completion. Stay tuned.

A festival full of families, laughter, art, and light

The festival wasn’t all heavy history. From animated art workshops led by Ray Downie and Gabi Reith, to live storytelling sessions at Discovery Point, the weekend was bursting with joy, learning, and community connection. Children drew whales and imagined voyages, while families explored VR tours of Grytviken and clutched takeaway whale bones (plastic, of course) from the Natural History Museum’s displays.

Everywhere you looked, there was interaction, curiosity, and laughter. Whale of a Weekend succeeded in building a bridge—from the whalers of the past, to the whale-savers of the future. Pat and Sarah Lurcock, both polar medal recipients, honored us with their participation at Whale of a Weekend as did many others.

Some gathered one Dundee evening at the gracious invitation of Elaine Shemilt, one of the original founders of South Georgia Heritage Trust, who still remains active as a much appreciated adviser to both Friends of South Georgia Island and SGHT. Tall tales of times spent at sea and on South Georgia Island drew the group together into a cohesive party of like-minded conservationists. An evening to be remembered in Elaine’s charming seaside home facing out to a blustery inland passage.

Next stop: Grytviken, The Sub Antarctic Island of South Georgia

This summer, the Key Table—first piece of Commensalis—will sail south to Grytviken, South Georgia. There, it will be installed and stand as a permanent testament to a complicated history and a bright, rehabilitated future. It tells the story of 175,000 whales once lost—and the slow, careful return of those that survived. Commensalis is one of hopefully 8 tables assuming we will be able to fund all of them that we hope will live in perpetuity at Grytviken. You may wonder if the Key Table is fur seal proof—the answer is yes!

To everyone who participated, supported, and made this festival possible: thank you. The reverberations of this weekend will echo far beyond Dundee—deep into the Southern Ocean, and hopefully, into the hearts of those yet to come.

 

—A. Zuckerman-Vdovenko FOSGI/2025