Atlantica - 01.10.2006, Page 89

Stunning sister sculptures commemorating more than 1,000 years of sea trading have been
unveiled, extending the bonds of friendship between the United Kingdom and Iceland.
Reykjavík-born sculptress Steinunn Thórarinsdóttir created the works of Art using basalt,
bronze and aluminum, which now take pride of place in the city of Hull in the northeast of England
and the town of Vík on the south coast of Iceland.
Icelandair Holidays UK worked with Hull City Council to prepare the high profile visit to Vík
for the unveiling. The group stayed at Icelandair Nordica Hotel in Reykjavík. Local media high-
lighted the new Icelandair service to Iceland from Manchester Airport, easy to reach by road or
rail from Hull, a busy commercial center and home to a sizeable Icelandic community.
The sculptures – named ‘Voyage’ and ‘For,’ respectively – pay tribute to the bond created by
many centuries of trading between the two countries, as well as the countless fishermen and
other seafarers who have braved the perils of the sea. ‘Voyage’ features a bronze figure leaning out
towards the River Humber and is situated in an urban environment near the world-famous The
Deep marine-life visitor attraction. In contrast, ‘For’ stands facing the Atlantic Ocean surrounded
by the breathtaking Icelandic scenery of rugged mountains and valleys.
Both sculptures were unveiled in June at ceremonies attended by leading dignitaries, including
Icelandic President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, British Ambassador to Iceland Alp Mehmet, the Lord
Mayor of Hull, Admiral of the Humber Trevor Larsen, and his counterpart in Vík, Sveinn Pálsson.
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Icelandair is proud to be one of the main sponsors of the 2006
Reykjavík Marathon. August 19, 2006 was the 23rd time the run
was held in the center of Reykjavík, kicking off the Reykjavík
Culture Night celebrations with four different competitions: 3 km
(approx 2 miles), 10 km (approx 6 miles), 21 km (approx 13 miles)
and a full 42 km marathon (approx 26 miles). The Marathon offers
something for everybody’s level of competence.
This year Icelandair Group decided to encourage its staff to
participate in the Marathon and to support a good cause at the
same time. Staff from all the Icelandair Group companies was
invited to participate in the Reykjavík Marathon for free, and
Icelandair will donate money to the Special Children Fund in
the name of all those employees who participated. The response
was great, and nearly 90 people from the Icelandair Group family
showed up, managing to run well over 1,000 km combined. It was
a great event, and all in support of a good cause.
You can donate your coins to the Special Children’s Fund. Just
ask our cabin staff for more information. If you’d like to run in
the next Reykjavík Marathon, you’ll find all the details online at
www.marathon.is.
Icelandair on the Run Sister Statues Unveiled in Hull and Vík
ICELANDAIR AT WORK
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