The Herring Wife
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In Ålesund, fish was sent all over the world, and the herring was the most common fish. The herring was silver-coloured and was nicknamed “the silver of the sea”. Fishing gave jobs and lots of money to those who lived in Ålesund. Previously, it was not so common that women had paid jobs because there was so much housekeeping and many children to take care of. But, when the herring came to the fjords, everyone had to help, and it was very hard work. The statue, “the herring wife” was raised to remind us about those hard-working women. The herring was stored in barrels and boxes of wood with lots of salt between the layers of fish. Salt preserves the fish, so it can be eaten long after it is packed. Today fish is packed in plastic or cardboard in large factories. Have you ever eaten salted herring before?