Vikings: The North Atlantic Saga
This summer’s must-see cultural event in Canada’s Capital Region
Hull, Quebec, May 7, 2002 — Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada, and His Excellency John Ralston Saul, in the company of Their Majesties King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway, will open the exhibition Vikings: The North Atlantic Saga this evening at the Canadian Museum of Civilization (CMC). Mounted by the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, this magnificent exhibition celebrates the rich Viking legacy and recalls the Viking arrival in North America 1,000 years ago.
This major exhibition sheds new light on Viking culture and history and brings together, for the first time, 300 priceless artifacts from ten countries on both sides of the Atlantic. Vikings: The North Atlantic Saga challenges the traditional view of the Vikings as violent marauders, invading foreign shores to loot and pillage. The exhibition shows that the Vikings were in fact skilled farmers, accomplished traders, intrepid explorers and masterful artisans.
Marking the 1,000th anniversary of the first arrival of Europeans in Canada, the exhibition discusses the importance of the Vikings’ landing in North America — 500 years before the arrival of Christopher Columbus. It also examines the impact of recent archaeological finds that have changed our understanding of early contacts between Europeans and the Aboriginal peoples of Canada.
The CMC contributed more than 25 pieces from its collections to Vikings, including the now-famous Inuit wooden figurine representing a European, carved circa A.D. 1250, which provides striking evidence of face-to-face contact between Vikings and Native peoples. The CMC is the sixth and only Canadian venue on a tour of major North American cities, including Washington, New York, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles and Minneapolis/St. Paul.
"It is a truly historic event that is recalled by this exhibition — two streams of humanity meeting for the first time on the northeastern shores of this continent, marking the conclusion of the Vikings’ expansion from their Scandinavian homelands," says Dr. William Fitzhugh of the Smithsonian Institution, head of the team of 15 curators who worked on this project.
CMC will also present a related exhibit (Strangers, Partners, Neighbours?) on the results of recent research undertaken by the Helluland Archaeology Project. "Research carried out by Museum staff, such as our ground-breaking Helluland Project now underway in the Eastern Arctic, is revealing new information about Canadian history. This work deepens our understanding of events that shaped this country so long ago," says Dr. Victor Rabinovitch, President and CEO of the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation.
Vikings: The North Atlantic Saga presents some of the greatest treasures and archaeological discoveries related to the Viking era. Among the highlights are four original manuscripts — including the Jónsbók (The Book of Laws, circa A.D. 1350) — Icelandic national treasures whose loan to this exhibition required an Act of Parliament. Also to be seen is a famous piece of Viking "loot": Ranvaig’s Casket, a reliquary plundered from a Scottish or Irish monastery.
The oldest object in the exhibition is the Gotland Picture Stone, circa A.D. 750, which depicts a fallen warrior’s voyage into the afterlife. "We are proud to be presenting Vikings: The North Atlantic Saga, a remarkable exhibition including priceless artifacts, some of which have never before crossed the Atlantic," states Dr. Rabinovitch.
The exhibition has been enhanced by outstanding programmes and events. Throughout the month of May, visitors can admire the Mjřsen Lange, the replica of a Viking ship from Norway. Visitors can embark and try their hand at rowing on the Ottawa River. Other programming is kicked off by a Viking Fest from May 8 to 12 that includes lectures by experts, Nordic traditional music and re-enactments.
With the support of the Nordic Embassies, programming and exhibitions on the Nordic theme have also been developed in Canada’s Capital Region throughout the season. Partners include the National Archives of Canada, the Canadian Museum of Nature, the National Arts Centre, the Calligramme Gallery, the Galerie Jean-Claude Bergeron, the Ottawa City Hall Art Gallery, the Outaouais Festival of Sacred Music, the Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival and the ByTowne Cinema.
Vikings: The North Atlantic Saga has been made possible through the generous support of the Nordic Council of Ministers and Volvo, and is presented by the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, in partnership with the White House Millennium Council. Major contributors to the Canadian Museum of Civilization presentation include Norsk Hydro, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and the Ottawa Citizen.
The exhibition will be presented at the Canadian Museum of Civilization from May 8 to October 14, 2002.
FACT SHEETS
Media Information:
Media Relations Officer
Canadian Museum of Civilization
Tel.: (819) 776-7169
Senior Media Relations Officer
Canadian Museum of Civilization
Tel.: (819) 776-7167
Fax: (819) 776-7187
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