Even before the first sculpture - A New Conversation by Finnish artist Kain Tapper - was inaugurated by Queen Sonja in Vega on August 19, 1992, a new topic of conversation was on the agenda in the vast county of Nordland. The royal couple was on a coronation tour, and we had all been instructed in etiquette. The Queen, of course, had Tapper by her side, and the project's curator, Maaretta Jaukkuri, was naturally the interpreter.
The Queen asked very interestedly about the name of the artwork. The question was translated into Finnish, and the interpreter answered in Finnish-Swedish. But Jaukkuri never raised her voice. The Queen was unable to hear what was being said. After several unsuccessful attempts, I stepped forward and said slowly, loudly, word for word, staccato and articulated: "A NEW CONVERSATION." The Queen repeated like an echo: "A NEW CONVERSATION." That was what the construction of the Sculpture Landscape Nordland was going to be about.
Aaslaug Vaa, excerpt from the commemorative book "Sculpture Landscape Nordland"
PROGRAM FOR H.M. THE QUEEN'S OPENING OF "SCULPTURE LANDSCAPE NORDLAND" IN VEGA ON AUGUST 19, 1992 (From the archives of Nordland County Municipality).
1100 - 1125 - People arrive at Grimsøy
1125 - Susanne Lundeng plays traditional music from Nordland
1130 - The King and Queen with entourage arrive at Grimsøy.
- Susanne Lundeng finishes playing after the royal couple has arrived.
- The King and Queen and attendees are welcomed by County Mayor Eriksen.
- H.M. Queen Sonja speaks and opens "Sculpture Landscape Nordland".
- The opening is done by cutting a ribbon around Kain Tapper's sculptures.
- County Mayor Eriksen presents the artist Kain Tapper.
- Kain Tapper presents a gift from Nordland County Municipality to H.M. Queen Sonja.
- Vega School Band plays on departure.