| The grand opening will take place at Strandgärdet on Saturday 26 June at 20:00.
A stately cermony with an Olympic-style parade - 1.858 participants marching in, each
island following its own flag. (Participants assemble at Paviljongsplan at 19:00.)
The parade will be followed by a
dramatic Viking pageant directed by Mr Örjan Herlitz and with participants from
Styringheim and elsewhere. Instead of lighting a flame as they do in the Olympic Games,
the NatWest Island Games has a cermony focusing on the element that we islands have in
common: water. Each island is to bring water from home, to be poured into a common
fountain.
| 19:30 |
Musical entertainment |
| 20:00 |
The Swedish Minister of Fiance, Mr Bosse
Ringholm, arrives together with the Chairman of the Municipal Council, Mrs Inger Harlevi
The Swedish National Anthem |
| 20:15 |
The participants parade in |
| 20:45 |
Speech by the Chairman of the Municipal Council,
Mrs Inger Harlevi
Speech by the Executive Chairman of the International Island Games Association (IGA), Mr
Alan Cros.
Speech by the Chairman of the NatWest Island Games Organising Committee, Mr Lars
Hammarström, who asks the Minister of Finance Mr Bosse Ringholm to open NatWest Island
Games in Gotland 1999
Speech by Mr Bosse Ringholm
The International Island Games Association flas is carried into the arena
The International Island Games Association Oath is sworn by two Gotlandic competitors Ms
Jenny Nygren and Mr Niklas Hellgren
The games are blessed by the bishop of Visby, Mr Biörn Fjärstedt |
| 21:15 |
Welcome to Gotland:
A display of welcome to all competitors, officials and all other visitors |
| 21:45 |
The Water Ceremony |
| 22:00 |
The opening ceremony ends. |
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