TELEDUCTION - The Launching of the Kalmar Nyckel

The legendary Kalmar Nyckel, the Swedish Tall Ship that first landed in the New World in 1638, comes to life as the ship is painstakingly reconstructed using historic techniques and tools. This program raises a flag to celebrate this important Swedish-American connection and the art of a vanishing tradition: Tall Ship Building.

"When you build a ship, you're building a microcosm of the whole world." 100,000 board feet of rare wood, 7,000 square yards of sail cloth, six miles of rigging, 1,000 hand-forged bolts... That's only the start of her! Ten years in construction, the Kalmar Nyckel is a replica of the spectacular Swedish tall ship built in the 1620's. She is the only documented vessel to have crossed the Atlantic four times carrying colonists to the New World. "There's not another project like this in the whole world right now."

Watch as professional shipbuilders and talented volunteers from around the world labor to reconstruct and launch 317 magnificent tons of wooden sailing ship. Blending traditional construction techniques with modern maritime know-how, shipcarpenters, carvers and blacksmiths use rare woods and hand-forged metals to construct both her infrastructure and her highly decorative detailing.

Listen to the myths, the legends and the unexplainable lure of wooden boat building that drive the crew as the launch date approaches. Be there for splash down as the Kalmar Nyckel enters the water at last, dressed-out with full sails. Sail with her during maiden sea trials and learn about life aboard ship almost 300 years ago. Drama, tradition, and adventure surge as the glory of the Kalmar Nyckel is brought to life once again.

Rock Group Hoven Droven of Sweden sweetens the mix of TELEDUCTION's documentary, The Launching of the Kalmar Nyckel.

"Hoven Droven's music is a unique and powerful blend of traditional folk and fierce hard rock, where violin and electric guitar duel for the audience's attention." They have performed on almost every major Swedish television and radio program and their album, Groove, is their first North American record release.