[Regia-NA] Viking exhibit in Canada

Benoit Fiset bfiset@clic.net
Thu, 09 May 2002 09:01:47 -0400


 

>http://www.civilization.ca/cmc/vikingse.html
>
>Hull, Quebec, December 13, 2001 -- On May 8, 2002, the Canadian Museum of Civilization will be 
>the site of a new sort of Viking invasion with the opening of the exhibition Vikings: The 
>North Atlantic Saga. Featuring more than 300 priceless artifacts gathered from nine 
>institutions on both sides of the Atlantic, this major exhibition sheds new light on the 
>Vikings' culture and history -- a thousand years after their first arrival in North America.
>
>"We are pleased to be the only Canadian stop on this outstanding exhibition's North American 
>tour," declares Dr. Victor Rabinovitch, President and CEO of the Canadian Museum of 
>Civilization Corporation. "We are also proud to be able to introduce -- for its presentation at 
>the Canadian Museum of Civilization -- the Helluland Archaeology Project: a new research 
>initiative undertaken by one of our staff archaeologists, suggesting more extensive contact 
>between the Norse and Native peoples than previously suspected."
>
>The Vikings have traditionally been viewed as violent marauders, invading foreign shores to 
>loot and pillage. Vikings: The North Atlantic Saga, mounted by the National Museum of Natural 
>History, Smithsonian Institution, challenges this view and shows that the Vikings were skilled 
>farmers, accomplished traders, intrepid explorers and masterful artisans. Although they did 
>raid nearby settlements in search of loot and land, the Vikings often built towns, farming 
>communities and cultural centres in the territories they conquered or settled. Based on sagas, 
>historical documents and archaeology, Vikings: The North Atlantic Saga examines and celebrates 
>the rich Viking legacy, as well as the Viking journey westward, which reached the North 
>American coast 1,000 years ago.
>
>The CMC is proud to have contributed more than 25 key pieces from its collections to this 
>travelling exhibition. Among the highlights of the exhibition are four original manuscripts -- 
>including the Jònsbòk (The Book of Laws, circa thirteenth century) -- Icelandic national 
>treasures whose loan to this exhibit required an act of Parliament. Also to be seen is a 
>famous piece of Viking "loot": Ranvaig's Shrine, a reliquary casket. The oldest object in the 
>exhibition is the Gotland Picture Stone, dating AD 750, that depicts a fallen warrior's voyage 
>into the afterlife.
>
>"The Viking expansion from their Scandinavian homelands and their arrival in North America was 
>a truly historic event," says head curator, Dr. William Fitzhugh of the Smithsonian 
>Institution. "The arrival of the Vikings on North American shores marks the first meeting of 
>two streams of humanity -- European and Native American -- on the northeastern shores of this 
>continent."
>
>In support of Vikings: The North Atlantic Saga, the Canadian Museum of Civilization is 
>planning a number of outstanding programmes and events. The possibilities include a series of 
>Norse musical and theatrical performances, a summer solstice festival, a ten-day Viking 
>festival, educational programming and more.
>
>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. 
>Additional support has been provided by Husqvarna Viking Sewing Machines, the Barbro Osher Pro 
>Suecia Foundation and Phillips Petroleum Company Norway.
>
>The exhibition will be presented at the Canadian Museum of Civilization from May 8 to October 
>14, 2002.
>
>See a Norwegian Viking long ship
>
>The Mjøsen Lange
>
>On its arrival from Norway (May 3), the long ship will be moored at the Canadian Museum of 
>Civilization dock for the entire month of May, as part of the special activities accompanying 
>the exhibition Vikings: The North Atlantic Saga From Wednesday to Sunday, between May 8 and 
>May 31, the ship's captain, Kai Gjessing, and his crew will be available on board this 
>authentic long ship to answer your questions. (Daily rowings available starting May 15, 
>weather permitting.)
>
>The Canadian Museum of Civilization, the Canadian Children's Museum, and the Canadian Postal 
>Museum are located in Hull, Quebec, on the banks of the Ottawa River, directly opposite 
>Parliament Hill. The museum building is easily accessible from downtown Ottawa by foot, bus, 
>or by car and has on- site parking.
>
>ADDRESS:
>Canadian Museum of Civilization, 100 Laurier Street, P.O. Box 3100, Station B, Hull, Quebec 
>J8X 4H2.
>
>
>
>A 24-hour information service is
>available by phoning (819) 776-7000
>or call 1-800-555-5621
>Hearing impaired: TDD (819) 776-7003
>Fax: (819) 776-8300
>


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Born of the Sword
Ruled by a Crown
Surrounded by the 21st Century    
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Benoit Fiset          Technicien en Géomatique     
bfiset@clic.net      GIS technicien   

a.k.a: Seigneur Godfroy Garmallon, GoA,OSC,OBT                               
In the Society for Creative Anachronisim
http://www.sca.org/

Baronnie du Havre des Glaces
http://www.havredesglaces.eastkingdom.org/

Ville de Québec, Canada
City of Quebec, Canada