WASHINGTON, D.C., September 14, 2005 – His Majesty King Harald V of Norway will unveil a statue of his late mother, Crown Princess Märtha, presented by former Vice President Walter Mondale in front of the Norwegian Embassy at 2720 34th St, N.W. (34th and Mass ave, using 34th street entrance) on Sunday, September 18, with media opportunities starting at 11:45. There will be a briefing by Walter Mondale and other leaders of the Norwegian American Foundation and the artist, Kristin Kokkin at 11:45 a.m., followed by a media opportunity with Their Majesties and Norway’s Foreign Minister at 12:30 p.m. The unveiling ceremony starts at 1 p.m. The event is one of several during Their Majesties’ stay in Washington from September 16-20. Their trip comes as the United States accepts emergency supplies from Norway to assist in the Katrina recovery effort, so far including tents, blankets and surgical supplies kits (each kit serves 100 surgical patients for 10 days, including surgical operations).
King Harald V has strong personal ties to the Washington area as he lived here as a child during World War II with his mother, Crown Princess Märtha, and his two sisters. Both his sisters will also be present at the ceremony. The family stayed in the area for five years, including several months in the White House, at the invitation of President Roosevelt. This is Their Majesties’ second visit to Washington, D.C. this year. Their March 2005 visit included lunch with President Bush in the White House and a visit to a D.C. public school.
The statue is a centennial gift from the Norwegian American Foundation on behalf of the Norwegian-American community to the citizens of Norway. This year, Norway celebrates the centennial for the peaceful dissolution of the union with Sweden in 1905 and 100 years of US-Norwegian diplomatic relations. The full size bronze sculpture was created by Kirsten Kokkin, an acclaimed sculptor born in Norway and now living in Colorado, and was commissioned by the Norwegian American Foundation. The statue honors the late Crown Princess Märtha for her role in strengthening the bonds between Norway and the United States during World War II. It serves as a fitting reminder of the strong ties between the two countries. Former Vice President Walter Mondale, himself of Norwegian descent, serves as Chairman of the Centennial Gift Committee of the Norwegian American Foundation.
Accreditation
Christian Hansson, Public Affairs Officer, Norwegian Embassy, cha@mfa.no, (202) 944-8930, cell: (703) 981-1181.
Media Contact:
Susan Roth, Designated Spokesperson (301) 530-3539, cell: (202) 997-5672 or Christian Hansson, Norwegian Embassy, cha@mfa.no, (202) 944-8930, cell: (703) 981-1181.