A fool will gape when he goes to a friend,
and mumble only, or mope;
but pass him the ale cup and all in a moment
the mind of that man is shown.

Håvamål 17
Wisdom for Wanderers and Counsel to Guests

Picture Gallery

Other "Munin" Pictures

About

"A greedy man, if he be not mindful,
eats to his own life's hurt:
oft the belly of the fool will bring him to scorn
when he seeks the circle of the wise."

Håvamål 20
Wisdom for Wanderers and Counsel to Guests

The BCVSP Keel Raising Ceremony

Digital Norseman: BCVSP Pictures - Welcome from the President, NHS

Marian Toft, the President of the Norwegian House Society (NHS), opened the ceremonies with a moving welcoming speech. The project is formally organized under NHS, and Marian did a great job of sharing the significance of the project with everyone.

Digital Norseman: BCVSP Pictures - Welcome from the Digital Norseman

The Digital Norseman appeared in his analog aspect as Preben Ormen and Chairperson of the BC Viking Ship Project to play his part as Master of Ceremonies.

He also got to explain why we were all there and why that was a great idea. (The crowd seemed to buy his story.)

Digital Norseman: BCVSP Pictures - Fred Randall, MLA Burnaby Edmonds

Fred Randall, MLA for Burnaby/Edmonds, addressed the assembly and graciously expressed his support for out initiative.

"One can hardly imagine a more fitting project in this year of the millennium celebrations of the Vikings' first arrival in North America" he said. Kind words, indeed. We are very pleased that we - both the project and the Scandinavian Center - have the support of people like Fred Randall and the Burnaby Council who play such an important role in making the local community what it is.

Digital Norseman: BCVSP Pictures - Stein Gudmunseth, Norwegian Consul-General

Stein Gudmundseth, Norwegian Consul General took the stage next and said rather a lot of nice things about us.

We, of course, lapped it up shamelessly and enjoyed his company.

Digital Norseman: BCVSP Pictures - Readying for the keel raising

After all the speeches and formal stuff, it was time for some action. Everybody got ready by the keel in preparation for raising it to its upright position.

At 40 feet in length, we had room for a lot of people even if they had to jostle for space here and there.

Digital Norseman: BCVSP Pictures - Double checking readiness

"Are we ready, now?" Double checking and starting the countdown to raise the keel.

Digital Norseman: BCVSP Pictures - Raising the keel

And up it came once the signal was given with a lot of eager shuffling about to get it up. Then running around for some hammers, nails and lengths of wood for the supports.

That was definitely the most unrehearsed part of the day, but we declared victory in short order.

Digital Norseman: BCVSP Pictures - View of the keel

Once up, everybody just stepped back to get a good look. Even though many of us had seen the keel lying on the floor for awhile, we had to admit it was a glorious sight to behold, so tall and majestic on the blocks. The guys at the end are six footers all of them. You do the math on the keel height (there is actually more beyond the picture edge.)

Just rasing the keel like this gave us a much different perspective of how large this ship will actually be. From this you can really begin to get a feel for the lines of the Viking ship itself.

Digital Norseman: BCVSP Pictures - Fair ladies

Fair ladies abounded, some in great costumes as shown here against the greatest backdrop of them all. (OK, so we're biased...)

Digital Norseman: BCVSP Pictures - Mounting station molds

The shipwrights got excited and hauled out the station molds. Putting them up was great fun and lots of people got to lend a hand. We had five of the nine stations ready. More to come here, obviously.

With the stations up, the size of the ship became even more imposing.

Digital Norseman: BCVSP Pictures - Kids on the keel

Here is what it's really all about. The kids, of course, had it figured out right from the start and quickly climbed right up on the keel. (Can't you just imagine the exact same thing happening 1000 years ago, too.)

What a great story to tell the class mates on a Monday morning:

"So, what did you do on the weekend? "

"Well, I sat on the keel of a Viking ship. How about you? "

Top that, if you can!