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Munin
Two headed horse


"A better burden can no man bear
on the way than his mother wit:
and no worse provision can he carry with him
than too deep a draught of ale."

Håvamål   11
Wisdom for Wanderers and Counsel to Guests

Ship petroglyph

Program for the Launch of "Munin"



BCVSP: Viking Ship Bow Dragon Head


"Then gathered together the gods for counsel,
The holy hosts, and held converse;
To night and new moon their names they gave,
The morning named, and midday also,
Forenoon and evening, to order the year."

Voluspå

... and we of ourselves named one for the kin of men: our Viking Ship "Munin".



The long awaited and exciting day finally came to pass on July 7, 2001: We launched our proud Viking ship "Munin" at the Vancouver Maritime Museum. The pictures in the gallery really tell the story quite well. It was a long day as you can see from the program below.

Preliminary events:

9:00 am
  • Tents set up at Vancouver Maritime Museum and the launch site

10:00 am
  • Viking Ship loaded at Scandinavian Centre

12:00pm

  • Festivities start at Maritime Museum

1:00 pm
  • All volunteers meet at red and white Viking tents at museum for final briefing

1:30 pm
  • Viking Ship arrives at launch site at the public boat launch in Vanier Park (below the "Bard on the Beach" stage).
  • Ship rowers help prepare the Viking Ship and get everything in order, the rest organize places, flags etc
.

2:30 pm

  • All Viking ship and dignitaries move from the Vancouver Maritime Museum to the launch site in a procession led by Scandinavian musical ensemble and flag bearers.

The launch program

3:00 pm.

Launch activities start

  • Sounding of the horns (these horns are replicas of bronze age Scandinavian horns)
  • Music by Sammen Spill, song by members of Sons of Norway Mixed Choir, with dance by the Scandinavian Dancers ensemble
  • Official welcome by Master of Ceremonies, Erle Nelson, Professor, Simon Fraser University and official historian of the British Columbia Viking Ship Project
  • Eric Olsen to lead the assembly in
    • Ja Vi Elsker, the National Anthem for Norway
    • O Canada, the National Anthem of Canada.

Speeches

  • His Excellency Ingvard Havnen, Ambassador of Norway
  • Preben Ormen, Chairperson for the BC Viking Ship Project (read text)
  • Tom Kottmeier, Vice-Chair of the BC Viking Ship Project (read text)
  • Tor Olufsen, President of the Norwegian House Society
  • Marian Toft, President of the Scandinavian Community Centre Society (read text)
  • Announcement by Marian Toft of the Viking Ship name and introduction of the name contest the winners:
    • Tage Kolind and
    • Gert Brodersgard-Nielsen
  • Introduction by Marian Toft of the girls who will christen the Viking Ship
  • The main event: Launching ship by skidding it into the water
  • Designated launch crew to row Viking Ship from the launch site around the point to the dock at the Vancouver Maritime museum
  • Dignitaries and guests to walk in parade along the shore to the harbour site. Parade to be led by flag bearers and musicians.
  • Immediately after docking the Viking ship, the MC, Erle Nelson, will introduce two speakers:
    1. James Delgado, Director of the Vancouver Maritime Museum who will welcome the ship to the harbour
    2. Magnus Eriksson, Consul General of Sweden, who will extend his congratulations.
  • Second launch crew and dignitaries to row ship around the harbour.
  • Third launch crew and remaining dignitaries to row ship around the harbour

5:30 pm.
  • Reception hosted by the Vancouver Maritime Museum.

6:20 pm.
  • Closing speeches for the day by
    • His Excellency Ingvar Havnen, Ambassador of Norway
    • James Delgado, Director of the Vancouver Maritime Museum
  • Official recognition of sponsors, BC Viking Ship Project members and the staff of the Vancouver Maritime Museum for the incredible efforts and dedication of all involved who made the project and this day such a great success.
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