March 22, 2000
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)

 $500,000 announced for Voyage of the Islendingur Ports of Call

Charles Furey, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, today announced $500,000 for the Voyage of the Islendingur Ports of Call program. A travelling entertainment showcase will also accompany the Viking longship Islendingur, as she makes her way around the province this summer as part of the Vikings! 1000 Years, Make The Journey celebrations.

"The Islendingur will make the journey from Iceland and arrive at L�Anse aux Meadows on July 28 to incredible fanfare," said Mr. Furey. "We know that it is going to be a spectacular event and we�d like to capture that spirit as the longship travels to the other parts of the province. The boat will be met at each port with a warm welcome that will feature music, dancing and Newfoundland and Labrador hospitality. It�s a great opportunity for everyone in the province to take part in this year�s celebrations."

The department has called for proposals from the entertainment community to take part in the travelling showcase. The deadline for applications is April 7, 2000, and an announcement of the performers will be made shortly thereafter. The show will also feature a fireworks display and local entertainment at each stop.

The ports of call are as follows:  

The Islendingur is captained by Gunnar Marel Eggertson, a direct descendant of Leif Ericson, the Viking leader who built the first European settlement in the New World 1,000 years ago. Captain Eggertson will retrace his ancestor�s route to Newfoundland and Labrador. He will sail the

longboat from Iceland to L�Anse aux Meadows, arriving as leader of the Viking Sail flotilla, and then visit nine other ports on Newfoundland�s west, south and east coasts.

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 and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador 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 and Atlantic Lottery Corporation.

In addition to the extra funding for the Ports of Call program, the government has allocated the second, and final, increment of $1.5 million toward the Viking Celebrations, for a total of $4.3 million this budget year, including the recently announced $2.3 million from economic development agreements.

Media contact: Mary MacNab, Communications, (709) 729-0928 or (709) 682-0366.

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