The following statement was issued today by Kevin Aylward, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

Receiving the World: Celebrating Communications

On a windy day, December 12, 1901, one moment in time changed the world forever. On this historic date Guglielmo Marconi received the first wireless transatlantic signal at Signal Hill, St. John's. The three dots representing the letter S was the beginning of a breakthrough in communications that altered how we communicate with each other and the world. 

I would like to report on the status of the celebrations the government and the people of Newfoundland and Labrador are planning to commemorate the unparalleled achievement of Guglielmo Marconi and celebrate our province's remarkable history and its own achievements in wireless technology.

Receiving the World is a celebration of the 100th anniversary of Guglielmo Marconi's transatlantic signal from Poldhu, England to St. John's, Newfoundland in 1901. Events and activities are planned across the province throughout 2001 to appeal to citizens of all ages with a variety of interests.

Marconi raised a kite high above Signal Hill and the aerial wire attached to it received the famous signal. Kites will be a primary focus in the educational and festive components of some of our events. 

Before the end of the school year, schools in every region of the province can become involved in a kite program through curriculum-based activities. One hundred communities in Newfoundland and Labrador will participate with kite related events held throughout the summer, and a major kite festival will be held in St. John's on the Canada Day weekend with the world's largest kite flying over the skies of St. John's. In addition, there will be Marconi awards at science fairs and heritage fairs for participants who excel in communications projects. We have also implemented a Marconi program in libraries across the province.

There will be more than 20 Marconi-affiliated events held this summer in various areas of the province. These community-based projects will tell the Marconi story or a communications story to residents and visitors. There will be theatre and arts programs, film, radio, and publishing projects and special technology-based initiatives. As a part of the Receiving the World celebration, the popular Soirees & Times program will enter its 3rd season in 2001 with 20 weekly events in Newfoundland and Labrador. This initiative presents evenings of traditional Newfoundland and Labrador food and entertainment to visitors so that they may experience the "time" which has been such a significant part of our culture and heritage.

There are many communities in the province that played important roles in our remarkable communications history both as Marconi wireless stations and as Cable telegraph stations. In 2001 we will assist nine communities in the development of exhibits to tell their communications stories. These include sites in St. John's, Mount Pearl, Cape Race, Heart's Content, Bay Roberts, Harbour Grace, Fogo, Cape Ray and Battle Harbour. As well, living interpretation projects and marketing initiatives are being developed in relation to this program.

One of the highlights of the anniversary year is the Wireless Vision Congress. This international conference is to be held from September 26-28 in St. John's. Speakers and delegates from around the world will discuss and debate the future of the wireless technology that had its birth in this city 100 years ago. This conference will address issues such as the effects of wireless communication on health, education and the economy. This forum will not only recognize our province's role in communications history but more importantly it will help establish Newfoundland and Labrador as a key player in the future of wireless and communications. This conference is planned with the Department of Industry, Trade, and Rural Development.

My department has been successful in securing an exhibit of artifacts and documents relating to December 12, 1901. For the first time in 100 years the original equipment used by Marconi on Signal Hill will return to St. John's. This equipment and other items of interest will be on display at the Colonial Building throughout the summer and early fall. 

I look forward to keeping my colleagues informed as these and other events unfold during this anniversary year.

The Marconi anniversary celebrations present new opportunities for the province, but they are, of course, just one component of the overall tourism marketing initiatives undertaken by the province. The Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation continues with its core destination marketing efforts, and the tourism division of my department continues to produce very innovative advertising campaigns which focus on our established icons including our icebergs, whales and puffins, our outstanding natural beauty and our two UNESCO world heritage sites. The special celebrations, as part of the overall marketing program, provide a broader penetration in our core markets. 

The Receiving the World Celebrations observe another significant first for this province, and highlight once again for all the world our diverse, intriguing and proud history.

2001 04 09                                      4:20 p.m.