The norse settlers in Greenland: Millennium celebrations July 2000


DAY-TO	-DAY 15th of July

The 1000-year jubilee has begun.

Over the next few days, more than 500 official guests, members of the press, Vikings and volunteers will be celebrating together with the people of southern Greenland.

		There was a sense of being in the presence of history when the Viking ship Islendingur, approached Qassiarsuk after a three-week voyage from Eiriksstadir in Iceland.

		12 kayaks went out to meet the ship and perform a kayak display.

		Led by Kaj Kleist, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, and dressed in Viking gear, the captain Gunnar Marel Eggertsson and his crew of eight went ashore to be received by Kalistat Lund, the mayor of Narsaq . "I'm proud and honoured to welcome each and everyone of you. ...We don't know what Leif Eriksson might have said when he first set foot on America. However, he might have said; "That's one small step for a man but a giant leap for mankind... We wish you all a happy and safe journey home when you leave from here"

		On behalf of the crew Gunnar Marel Eggertsson expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome. "It is a pleasure for us to arrive here today. The Voyage from Iceland to Greenland has sparked thoughts and ideas among our crew about the great adventures and voyages of the Viking age. The Voyage has been long and tough and Nature can be merciless. We have indeed met mercilessness on this trip. We are tempted to follow in the wake of Leif Eriksson, Thorstein, Thorfinn and Gudridur Thorbjarnadóttir to mention some of them. As they did, we sail with a prayer to God asking for a good voyage and a safe return."

Premier Jonathan Motzfeldt declared the official celebrations open. "We have been looking forward to this day with pleasure, pride and eager anticipation....The arrival of Islendingur is a physical illustration of the ties that link us together - the ties of kindship and history. We who are gathered here today represent many countries, languages and cultures but we share a commun background which translates into international understanding and mutual respect."

The Icelandic President Òlafur Ragnar
Grimsson finished with a "family" speech.
"We recall here those people who
a thousand years ago linked our countries
together. May our lives and work be
in the spirit of the cooeperation
which forged bonds of friendship
between our countries."

		At 15.30 Captain Gunnar Marel Eggertsson unveiled the new 3-metre high bronze statue of Leif Eriksson.

		This proud, impressive statue stands on a rise in the centre of this small settlement. After 1000 years, Leif Eriksson stands here again, looking out over the sea. The inscription on the base reads: "He led the way".

		Kristine Leander from the Leif Eriksson International Foundation in Seattle was among the contributors to the statue. "What does Erif Eriksson represent to us? I can't answer what he means to you, but just as was true a hundred and ten years ago when the first statue was unveiled in Boston, for Americans whose roots are in Scandinavia, he still represents our ethnic identity and who we are as a people. Although he's officially a Son of Iceland, and his farm was here in Greenland, it's clear to me that he serves for all of us a symbol of Vikings and our mutual Nordic Heritage. There were more speeches on the significance of Leif Eriksson and the importance of forming bridges between countries. In addition, the Queen and the Icelandic president were presented with a new teaching book on Leif Eriksson, which has been published on the occasion of the 1000-year jubilee.

		Outside the official program the first Viking and Inuit Festival was opened at 10.00. Accompanied by Viking chief Vidar Bjarnason, Queen Margrethe watched a tremendous fight.

		In true Viking fashion, there is lamb for all. 45 Vikings from eight different countries have arrived for the Viking and Inuit Festival, which runs concurrently with the official programme. The clock has been turned back, and the Vikings and Inuits are demonstrating what life was like 1000 years ago.

		Using chisels, Vikings are busy carving runes. Although in Viking times deadlines must have been unknown, the aim is to have the name "Erik the Red" carved in stone by the close of the festivities.