NORWAY CELEBRATIONS HAILED A SUCCESS: WITH A THREE LEGS STRATEGY FOR 2008

The potential for a major international collaboration for the future has arisen out of the visit of over 100 Norwegians to the Isle of Man for the Norway Centenary Celebrations.

For 2008, Stavanger, in the south west of Norway, and Liverpool will be declared the European Cities of Culture by the European Union. At the same time, Liverpool will be declared the European Capital of Culture. Major investment and event activity running into hundreds of millions of pounds is already being planned with strong new tourism and cultural links between the two cities.

Through the work of Manx National Heritage in recent years, the Isle of Man now has strong links in place with both Liverpool and Stavanger, the capital of the county of Rogaland in south-western Norway. A formal agreement for cultural co-operation was signed with Rogaland County in the presence of the King and Queen of Norway in 2002, and a similar formal Agreement was signed with National Museums Liverpool in 2004.

At last month’s gathering in Douglas, senior representatives of the commercial companies steering the Liverpool and Stavanger Capital of Culture initiatives met at the Manx Museum to describe their plans for 2008 and to emphasise the potential for making a “3-legs” link, including the Isle of Man.

Director of Manx National Heritage, Stephen Harrison, said:

“The idea of a 3-legs strategy between the Isle of Man, Stavanger and Liverpool is an exciting one. Our existing strong links through our Cultural Agreements provide the backbone to what could be a very important stimulus for the Isle of Man’s tourist visits and business links from now until the year of culture in 2008, and beyond.

There is a tremendous amount of investment planned in both Liverpool and Stavanger. With our existing frequent air links to Liverpool, the possibility of a further “third leg” on to Stavanger would seem to be a distinct possibility in a way which could bring a new dimension for the long term beneficial links between the Isle of Man, Liverpool and Norway”.

Further meetings have been held with senior representatives directly involved with the provision of cultural and heritage services in south west Norway, Manx National Heritage, and Dawn Maddrell, Isle of Man Arts Development Manager.

Presentations were given about facilities, venues, festivals, events and performers which the Isle of Man and the Norwegian Counties and Municipalities could offer each other. The possibilities for collaborative work and exchanges were explored and some positive links and opportunities identified. The visit of the Norwegian cultural and political delegation was supported by visits to Manx National Heritage sites and arts venues, and provided the opportunity to see and hear some of the Island’s talent in music and dance.

Egil Grude, Director of Cultural Services for Rogaland County said:

“This visit has provided our staff with an excellent opportunity to discuss what we can offer the Isle of Man and what the Isle of Man can offer Norway. We look forward to working together on exchanges and collaborative projects to explore our heritage and to bring the best of traditional and contemporary culture to audiences in Norway and the Isle of Man. We are particularly excited by the possibilities which the European Cities of Culture in 2008 may provide for a Three Legs Strategy to link Stavanger and Rogaland with the Isle of Man and Liverpool”.

Plans are already being developed for a number of reciprocal visits to Norway from several musical groups on the Island, following the visit of the 76 Strong Stavanger Symphony Choir, conducted by Odd Johansen.

The Symphony Choir’s visit to the island was extremely well received and they gave their first performance at the Manx Museum on Friday evening at the opening of a new exhibition entitled “New Horizons: Art from Western Norway”, which is open until the end of the Summer.

Those present were delighted when the choir, entirely unaccompanied opened with a beautiful rendition of the Manx National Anthem, followed by the Norwegian equivalent. They then followed this with some other items whilst the official party opened the exhibition.

On Saturday afternoon the Symphony Choir gave a performance at St George’s Church when, along with Douglas Town Band and the Cliogaree Twoaie Manx Choir, they entertained an audience of local and overseas visitors.

This was followed by an impromptu performance outside the House of Manannan in the evening when the choir attended a celebration to mark the strong links between Norway and Mann. It was at the House of Manannan that the cultural agreements between our two nations were signed in the presence of the King and Queen of Norway in 2002. All those present could not fail to have been moved by the setting and singing, which again included a wonderful rendition of “Land of our Birth”.

The busy schedule for the choir included another public performance on the Sunday afternoon at the Mooragh Park accompanied by the Isle of Man Wind Orchestra. In the evening the Choir literally sang for their supper when they attended a Manx dinner at the Hilton Hotel, hosted by the Chief Minister The Hon. Donald Gelling.

Odd Johansen, Conductor of the Stavanger Symphony Choir, said:

“It was a wonderful trip to your Island for us and we were overwhelmed with the friendliness and the hospitality of the Manx people, the weather was perfect and we will go back to Stavanger with many happy memories about our wonderful time in Mann”.

Michael Brunt, Marketing Manager for the Department of Tourism and Leisure, stated:

“We thoroughly enjoyed having such a wonderful choir visit us, their performances were quite special and absolutely first class”.

The Stavanger Symphony Choir are normally accompanied by the Stavanger Symphony Orchestra, and this was the first time they had performed unaccompanied, but such was the quality of the performances that they are considering singing unaccompanied as part of their normal repertoire in Norway, although initial plans are now being discussed for the Stavanger Symphony Orchestra to visit the Island in 2008.

The final performance of the choir was another impromptu one following the Independence Day parade, which was attended by over 200 people, who gathered on Douglas Promenade.

Douglas Town Band led the procession which included the Standard Bearers, Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Douglas, the County Mayor of Rogaland, Rogaland County Executive Committee, Members of Tynwald, Fire Brigade Officers, the Stavanger Symphony Choir, over 70 Manx school children followed by members of the public including visitors to the Island. The Norwegian flag was carried by Camilla Brahde, who was dressed in Manx national costume.

The parade was met at the Court Plaza by Chief Minister Hon. D. J. Gelling CBE, MLC and speeches were made by Chief Minister, President of Tynwald, Mr Speaker and the Mayor of Rogaland. Speeches referring to the welcome, the extensive five day programme, the joy the choir brought to so many people, the business and commercial opportunities for both countries, the shared history and culture, the cultural agreement signed in the presence of King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway in 2002, and the way forward.

Chief Minister, Hon. D. J. Gelling CBE, MLC, said:

“The Isle of Man’s cultural ties with Norway go back a long way, however, I think that the potential to develop business links is now something that we must push forward. I am sure that the Norwegians have many business connections, such as gas and oil, from which the Island may have the opportunity to benefit. I am quite sure that we can use this as an occasion to develop our business relationships with Norway”.

President of Tynwald, Hon. Noel Q. Cringle MLC, said:

“We must remember that the Isle of Man has a special relationship with the European Union, and so does Norway. The fact that we can co-operate and meet at a political level means that it is inevitable that we will learn from each other and if our trade and industry can benefit both countries through co-operation, it is certainly of significance to the Island”.

The final engagements for the Norwegians included a reception with the Mayor of Douglas at Douglas Town Hall, where the Parks Department had prepared a stunning flower arrangement of coloured carnations of the Norwegian Celebrations logo. This was followed by a reception at Government House, hosted by His Excellency and Mrs Macfadyen. It was a fitting end to a very memorable celebration.