King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway to Open Vikings Exhibition at the Canadian Museum of Civilization
Hull, Quebec, January 24, 2002 — The Canadian Museum of Civilization welcomes the announcement, made earlier today, of the State visit of Their Majesties King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway. During their visit, the King and Queen will open the upcoming international exhibition, Vikings: The North Atlantic Saga, at the Canadian Museum of Civilization on May 7, 2002. This major exhibition features more than 300 artifacts from nine institutions on both sides of the Atlantic.
“We are honoured that King Harald V and Queen Sonja will be opening the exhibition in May as part of their State visit to Canada,” said Dr. Victor Rabinovitch, President and CEO of the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation. “For more than a thousand years, the people of Norway have influenced the course of our history — from the earliest Viking settlers in the east, to Scandinavian farmers on the Canadian Prairies. Their legacy is felt everywhere, from the remains of ancient houses at L’Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland to the family names of many Canadians. We are proud to open this important exhibition in the presence of Their Majesties.”
Examining the arts, culture, technology and mythology of a highly complex people, Vikings: The North Atlantic Saga will shed new light on a people who have been stereotyped as violent invaders. The exhibition reveals a rich legacy, demonstrating that the Vikings were not only intrepid explorers but also skilled farmers, fine artisans and enterprising traders.
Vikings: The North Atlantic Saga was first presented in Washington in the summer of 2000 and will be at the Canadian Museum of Civilization from May 8 to October 14, 2002. This is the only Canadian stop on its six-city North American tour, which includes New York, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Hull, and Minneapolis/St. Paul.
The exhibition has been made possible through the generous support of the Nordic Council of Ministers and Volvo, and is organized by the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, in partnership with the White House Millennium Council.
Media Information:
Senior Media Relations Officer
Canadian Museum of Civilization
Tel.: (819) 776-7167
Media Relations Officer
Canadian Museum of Civilization
Tel.: (819) 776-7169
Fax: (819) 776-7187
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