Minister of Cultural Affairs, Anne Enger Lahnstein

Opening of Visions of Norway

Wigmore Hall, London, 29. juni 1999

Secretary of State, Lord Mayor of Westminister, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

First of all I would like to thank you, Secretary of State, for your kind words and for presenting "The Norway Arts Directory" which has been produced by Visiting Arts. This Directory underlines the very nature of the 'Visions of Norway', that we will work closely together in order to create new links between Norwegian and British artists and institutions. Our hope is that we during the yearlong programme through a varied and highly inspirational programme, will enhance the knowledge we have of artists and cultural activities in both countries.

The Directory, which is so timely presented as part of the 'Visions of Norway' project, should function as a very valuable tool in our work to forge new cultural links between us.

I am also particularly pleased to be here tonight at the Wigmore Hall, a venue ranking among the world's most prestigious of its kind.

It gives me great pleasure to introduce the Risør Festival of Chamber Music in such a distinguished hall. This festival, known for its idyllic intimacy of small town Risør and high artistic standard, has each year since 1991 been an exciting highlight on the Norwegian festival calendar.

This year, the festival has just moved across the North Sea to share its repertoire with British music lovers.

The first concert by the Risør Festival at the Wigmore Hall marks the opening of the chamber music programme, and has been selected as the official launch of 'Visions of Norway'.

This British-Norwegian project, which is not only celebrating a millenium and more of shared experience, will also mark the beginning of a new era of partnership and cultural exploration, into the new Millenium.

Behind 'Visions of Norway' are a great number of individuals, businesses, organisations, institutions and authorities. On the British side, the British Council, Visiting Arts, the Eastern Arts Board, Northern Arts and a number of venues, festivals, museums, universities and research bodies are involved. On the Norwegian side the programme in co-ordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Embassy in London and the Consulate General in Edinburgh.

The more than 50 projects that will take place throughout Britain from now on will hopefully strengthen even further the close partnership between the British and Norwegians, as the programme unfolds in fields ranging from business and politics to music, theatre, film, literature and the arts.

I have the pleasure of opening 'Visions of Norway' by presenting a travel scholarship that will enable a young British musician to come to Norway and establish yet another cultural link in accordance with the main idea behind the programme. Secretary of State, please accept this travel scholarship on behalf of the Norwegian partners in 'Visions of Norway'.

'Visions of Norway' is hereby opened.