Newfoundland and Labrador bids farewell to the Islendingur

Premier Brian Tobin and Icelandic Minister Sturla B��avarsson will bid farewell to the Islendingur today at 3:00 p.m. Since arriving on Newfoundland shores on July 28, the ship and its crew has spent 21 days visiting 10 ports of call around the province. The tour of the Islendingur and the accompanying concerts have been received by enthusiastic crowds. Also on hand for the departure ceremony in Port de Grave will be Charles Furey, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation and John Efford, MHA - Port de Grave.

 "The voyage of the Islendingur has been a true success. More than 100,000 people visited the ship and attended the concerts at these ports. The tour has enabled Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to learn more about our Viking heritage and the Viking way of life while at the same time enjoying traditional Newfoundland hospitality through the great music that accompanied the ship�s stop in each port," said Premier Tobin. "Today as we bid farewell to the Islendingur and its wonderful crew, we say good-bye to great ambassadors of Iceland. They will leave us now not just as new friends but also as ambassadors of Newfoundland and Labrador." 

"I am delighted to be here for the departure of the Islendingur from Newfoundland and Labrador. The crew of the Islendingur have received a warm welcome and made many friends during their stay in the province," said Sturla B��avarsson, Iceland�s Minister of Communications. "The cooperation between Iceland and Newfoundland and Labrador during this celebration has been wonderful and has opened the door for future initiatives in tourism and other areas." 

Newfoundland and Labrador has received great media coverage throughout the tour of the Islendingur. The arrival of the Islendingur in L�Anse aux Meadows was covered by CNN, CBC television and radio, CBC Newsworld, NTV, Icelandic National Broadcasting, German Public Television, Reuters, Fox, ABC, BBC, Global Television, CBS, Associated Press International, and other European networks providing a potential audience of over 400 million viewers.

 "Canadians across the country watched with excitement as the Islendingur landed in Newfoundland waters, and they continue to monitor its progress with enthusiasm. The image of this great Viking ship will remain close to the hearts of many Canadians,"said Herb Gray, Deputy Prime Minister and minister responsible for the Government of Canada�s millennium initiative. "The Government of Canada is proud to support the project called The Islendingur: A Timeless journey with an important financial contribution through the Canada Millennium Partnership Program." 

The departure ceremony will be a spectacular medley of local entertainment, including the Wonderbolt circus, Duane Morgan and friends and Erin�s Call. The Islendingur will then depart amidst a gun salute by members of the Signal Hill Tattoo and be escorted from Port de Grave harbour by 200 fishing boats.

 Premier Tobin added: "I would like to thank all of the people who organized and participated in this event and also the people who made the journey to join us in the celebrations. This celebration has resulted in great international exposure for Newfoundland and Labrador thus translating into increased visitation and dollars spent in the province in future years."

 Vikings! 1000 Years: Make the Journey is a project of the Department of Tourism, Culture, and Recreation, Parks Canada and the Viking Trail Tourism Association. The Government of Canada, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Canada Millennium Partnership Program are the funding partners for Vikings! 1000 Years. The three major corporate sponsors for the Vikings! 1000 Years celebrations are Petro-Canada, NewTel and Newfoundland Power. Supporting sponsors include Dominion, Eimskip, FMC Kongsberg Subsea, Atlantic Lottery Corporation, the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board, Interprovincial Airlines, and Newfoundland Hydro.

Media contact:

Heidi Bonnell, Premier�s Office, (709) 729-3564
Tara Laing, Communications, (709) 729-3813
Heimir M�r P�tursson, Leifur Eiriksson Millennium Commission, (In Iceland): 354 575 2000. 

2000 08 21 1:15 p.m.