NOTE TO EDITORS: Across the Atlantic . . . and Beyond

Roger Grimes, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, invites the media to attend the closing ceremony of the Receiving the World celebrations � Across the Atlantic . . . and Beyond � on Wednesday, December 12, at 11:30 a.m. at the Arts and Culture Centre in St. John's.

The event will take place on the day, 100 years later, that Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi, on Signal Hill in St. John's, received the first ever transatlantic wireless radio signal.

Participating in the event are Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada, and Roger Grimes, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador. Through satellite links, His Excellency President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi of Italy and Guglielmo Marconi's grandson Prince Guglielmo Marconi Giovanelli, will also take part in the closing ceremony from Rome, Italy and Poldhu, Cornwall, England, respectively. 

Entertainers include guitarist Gordon Quinton, the Quintessential Vocal Ensemble, opera singer Shelly Neville, the Martin Val�e Dancers, the Ceilidh Singers and Steve O'Connell as Marconi with accordionist Frank Fusari. 

Master of ceremonies is nationally known radio personality Rex Murphy.

Of special significance is the re-creation of the 1901 Spark Experiment from Poldhu, England to St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, which proved Marconi's theory that wireless communication was possible. In addition, for two hours prior to the closing ceremony, the exhibit "An Unmistakable Sound: Marconi's Transatlantic Success" will be open for viewing. 

The entire closing ceremony will be broadcast live over the House of Assembly's cable television channel and rebroadcast at 8 p.m. that evening.

Media can access the television broadcast using the following satellite coordinates.

Anik F1 C-Band
Transponder 4B (occasional use)
Polarity B Pole
Modulation QPSK
Audio 2 Pairs, 256 kbs per pr.
3860 mhz (RxC-Band RF) or 1290 mhz (L-Band)
Network ID 1
Symbol Rate 4.936 Msps
FEC 2/3
Virtual Channel 1

If possible, please credit the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador in your broadcast.

Media wishing to attend the event must obtain media passes to gain access to the Arts and Culture Centre theatre. Passes will be available on the day of the event from 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. inside the main entrance of the Arts and Culture Centre. Camera locations will also be assigned at that time.

Media contact:

Mary MacNab
Communications Director
Special Celebrations Corporation
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
(709) 729-1999
Email: mmacnab@mail.gov.nf.ca 

2001 12 06                          10:35 a.m.