Lögberg-Heimskringla - 14.04.2000, Page 2

Chretien and Oddsson sat down in the PM's
office to discuss the relations between Canada
and Iceland.
THE ICELANDIC
EMBASSYIN CANADA
Iceland's Prime Minister David Oddsson, introduced by
Senator Janis Johnson, addressed the assembly to remark on the
significance of the statue depicting Gudridur and Snorri and of
the year long Icelandic initiative which will see over 150 events
in Canada. Oddsson also took the opportunity to announce the
date for the opening of the Icelandic embassy in Ottawa in
March, 2001. Member of Parliament John Harvard who was
MC of the event, introduced Prime Minister Chretien who cred-
ited Iceland for the size of this millennium initiative. Deputy
Prime Minister Herb Gray was also on hand to share his
remarks conceming the Canadian Millennium Bureau's contri-
bution. David Gislason, Chairman of the Millennium-125
Committee, gave the closing remarks to the assembly.
Kathy Arnason, Gudrun Agustsdottir and
Senator Janis Johnson.
Leslie Kung and Lucas Rene de Cotet were chosen to
unveil the statue of Gudridur and Snorri.
Gudrun Agustsdottir receives a work of art from Ottawa
schoolchildren from art teacher Jim Wyndels. On the
right, Gerald Einarson.
Icelandic soprano Sigrun Hjalmtysdottir “Diddu” sings
“Fly Me To The Moon” in honour of astronaut Bjarni
Tryggvason.
Every seat was filled and many had to stand
during the opening ceremony in the
Museum of Civilization.
After the formal program began the 'birthday
party' planned for the 1000 year old Snorri
Thorfinnsson. Cake, juice and 1000 birthday can-
dles did much to light up the children's faces. Kathy
Arnason was the MC of that event and did it mar-
vellously with help from her huldufólk and from
Diddú.
Chretien and Oddsson approach the stage,
followed by David Gislason and Astridur
Thorarensen.
Astronaut Bjarni Tryggvason answered questions like “How does it feel to be launched into
space?”