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The presentation of the Finnish contribution to the worldwide celebration of the Hans Christian Andersen bicentenary in 2005 took place at a press launch on 2 March 2005 at 3 pm at the Hanaholmen Swedish-Finnish Culture Centre in Esbo close to Helsinki. HRH Princess Alexandia of Denmark presided over the appointment of the former First Lady of Finland, Mrs Eeva Ahtisaari, as Honorary Hans Christian Andersen Ambassador as well as the appointment of the celebrated Finnish children's book writers Sinikka and Tiina Nopola as Hans Christian Andersen Ambassadors. They will all join the ranks of prominent public figures worldwide who have committed themselves to promoting wider awareness and appreciation of the life and work of Hans Christian Andersen.

The event at the Hanaholmen Culture Centre featured entertainment with choir singing, an Andersen fairytale reading and a ballet performance choreographed by the acclaimed choreographer Dinna Bjørn who has on several occasions worked professionally with HM Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, for instance at the ballet performances at the Tivoli Gardens Pantomime Theatre in Copenhagen.

The presentation of the Norwegian contribution to the 2005 Hans Christian Andersen bicentenary took place at a press launch on 3 March, 11 am, at Madserud Gård in Oslo. Sir Roger Moore appointed nine Norwegian Hans Christian Andersen Ambassadors. The Norwegian Hans Christian Andersen Ambassadors are: Former Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs and UN High Commissioner Thorvald Stoltenberg, comedian and actor Rolv Wesenlund, author Lars Roar Langslet, actress Herborg Kråkevik, actor Kåre Conradi, handball player Mia Hundvin, actress Liv Ullmann, actress Wenche Foss and singer and entertainer Wenche Myhre.

Following the appointment of the Hans Christian Andersen Ambassadors, Herborg Kråkevik performed a reading of an Andersen fairytale, and designer Lin Utzon presented the official Hans Christian Andersen dinner service as well as the official Hans Christian Andersen Ambassador diploma. The dinner service and diplomas are manufactured by Rosendahl, which was represented at the event by Director Henrik Rosendahl.

The press launched in Finland and Norway highlighted the bicentennial celebrations in Denmark and representatives from VisitDenmark were present at both events. At the event in Hanaholmen Culture Centre, Director of Public Affairs of the Hans Christian Andersen 2005, Christian Have, presented the Hans Christian Andersen bicentenary in Denmark and the Fairytale Weekend, 1 - 3 April 2005. At Madserud Gård in Oslo, Project Responsible for the Hans Christian Andersen 2005 Foundation, Jakob Steen Olsen, presented the Hans Christian Andersen bicentenary in Denmark and abroad.

The press launch at the Hanaholmen Culture Centre was hosted by the Royal Danish Embassy in Helsinki in association with the Hans Christian Andersen 2005 Foundation and Have PR & Kommunikation A/S. The press launch in Oslo was hosted by the Royal Danish Embassy in Norway and the Norwegian public relations agency House of Communication in association with the Hans Christian Andersen 2005 Foundation.

Photos from the event are available from the press rooms at www.hca2005.dk, hca2005.com  and www.have.dk.

Please find below:
1) Information on the Finnish and Norwegian Hans Christian Andersen projects
2) Information on the Finnish Hans Christian Andersen Ambassadors.
3) Information on the Norwegian Hans Christian Andersen Ambassadors

Yours sincerely,

Have PR & Kommunikation A/S
Tel.: +45 33 25 21 07
Email:

Press coordinators:

Finland: Oliver Newton, mobile: +45 24 86 01 81, email:
Norway: Anette Juhl Rasmussen, mobile + 45 24 86 01 82, email:
Tina Kristensen, email:

1. The Finnish and Norwegian Hans Christian Andersen projects

The Danish Centre for Children's Literature has in association with the Hans Christian Andersen 2005 foundation compiled an extensive long-term educational programme aimed at children aged 6 - 16. The educational resources are available in several languages, and the Finnish and Norwegian versions will be featured on the official Andersen bicentenary website shortly. Please visit hca2005.com/Education. All material is made available free of charge for non-commercial purposes.

In 2005, Norway will stage a performance as part of the Symphonic Fairytales event, which was initiated by the Society for the Publication of Danish Music and is sponsored by the Danish state, the Danish Ministry of Culture and the Hans Christian Andersen 2005 Foundation. Throughout 2005, leading orchestras will premiere ten newly composed Danish orchestral works inspired by the poetry and storytelling of Hans Christian Andersen. In Norway, the Oslo Philharmonic will perform the Andersen fairytale The Shadow at a family concert set to take place at the Oslo Concert Hall from 11 - 16 April. The music has been composed by the Danish composer John Frandsen. The performances feature Anne Marit Jacobsen who will recite the story, the Norwegian men's choir Sølvguttene, the Norwegian National Girls' Choir and soloists and dancers from the Oslo College of Art (Oslo Kunsthøgskole). All fourth-grade elementary school classes in Oslo have been invited to The Shadow concert as part of a cultural programme entitled "Den kulturelle skolesekken".
For further information, please visit www.symphonicfairytales.com.

2 Information on the Finnish Hans Christian Andersen Ambassadors

Eeva Ahtisaari
Born in 1936. Ms Eeva Ahtisaari was the First Lady of Finland from 1994-2000. As a career diplomat she has dedicated much of her time to the humanitarian cause of improving the living conditions of women, especially in Africa where her husband was ambassador for a number of years. She holds a university degree in history and has been extensively involved in women's studies as well as studies in cultural heritage and family welfare.

Sinikka and Tiina Nopola
Born in 1953 and 1955 respectively. Sinikka and Tiina Nopola are Finland's most popular children's books writers and have received numerous awards for their authorship. They have since 1989 co-written a great many witty and heart-warming books, including a series of eight books entitled "Heinähattu ja Vilttitossu" (Straw Hat and Felt Slipper) and a series entitled "Risto Raäppäaja" (Risto the Rapper), which was later adapted to the screen as an animated sequel and enjoyed great success. Tiina Nopola also publishes books of her own, and Sinikka Nopola has written short stories and radio drama as well as causeries for the Finnish national daily Helsingin Sanomat.

3. Information on the Norwegian Hans Christian Andersen Ambassadors

Thorvald Stoltenberg
Born 1931. Thorvald Stoltenberg is a distinguished diplomat and politician. He started his diplomatic career in Belgrade in 1962 and was Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1987 - 1993 and Minister of Defence from 1979 - 1981. Thorvald Stoltenberg has served a great many humanitarian causes in his capacity as UN High Commissioner for Refugees and UN Peace Broker in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Thorvald Stoltenberg has been President of the Norwegian Red Cross since 1999.

Rolv Wesenlund
Born 1936. Rolv Wesenlund is one of Norway's most popular entertainers and a man of many talents. Over the years, he has written and performed many cabarets and has appeared in numerous TV comedies. He is especially known to Norwegians as the brash and self-centred Fleksnes in the TV series of the same name. After several other successful TV appearances and publishing several books, Wesenlund has now retired and is an active member of the senior citizen's association, Seniorsaken, in Norway.

Lars Roar Langslet
Born 1936. Lars Roar Langslet is one of Norway's most celebrated cultural commentators. He was Minister of Culture and Science from 1981 - 1986 and is known for his books on philosophical, theological, artistic and political subjects. He is also famed for his critically acclaimed biographies on historical personalities.

Herborg Kråkevik
Born 1973. Herborg Kråkevik is one of Norway's leading actresses. She studied at the Guildford School of Acting and is a multitalented artist celebrated for her character acting and very personal performances as a singer. She held her debut at the National Theatre in Bergen in the role as Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady and has since appeared in several theatre performances, films and cabarets.

Kåre Conradi
Born 1972. Kåre Conradi is a versatile and very sought-after actor whose performances at several Norwegian theatres have garnered wide public attention. He studied classical drama at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art and held his debut as actor at the Norwegian National Theatre in 1996. He currently appears on screen in the Norwegian comedy entitled "37½".

Mia Hundvin
Born 1977. Mia Hundvin is one of Norway's most successful handball players. She is a natural talent who with her elegance and style and not least her winning personality has captured the heart of the nation. Her first match as member of the Norwegian national women's handball team was in 1990 and she has since helped secure a silver medal at the European Championship, a bronze medal at the Olympics as well as at the World Championship.

Liv Ullmann
Born 1938. Liv Ullmann is an internationally acclaimed actress. She studied drama at the Webber Douglas Academy in London and has appeared in leading roles both at home and abroad. Liv Ullmann achieved her international breakthrough in 1966 in Ingmar Bergman's film "Persona". She has received a great many acting awards and has also directed feature films. Liv Ullmann is furthermore actively involved in humanitarian work for UNICEF

Wenche Foss
Wenche Foss is Norway's pre-eminent leading lady. She made her debut in 1935 and achieved star status in film comedies in the 1940s. She has appeared in numerous films and has performed on countless Norwegian stages. Wenche Foss has throughout her life been deeply committed to the well-being of her fellow man and humanitarian causes.

Wenche Myhre
Born 1947. Wenche Myhre is one of Norway's most famous singers and international entertainers. She is popular in Norway and abroad - including Germany where she is currently on tour - for her energetic stage shows, concerts and tours. Her breakthrough performance as singer came in 1962 and she has since stared in a great many films, cabarets, musicals and TV show.

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