Celebration : The Swedish Ship Gotheborg in Alexandria Harbor
Posted on
Alexandria—
The BA organized last Sunday, 1 April 2007, a celebration for the Swedish Ship Gotheborg, in cooperation with Anna Lindh Foundation, Swedish Institute in Alexandria, Swedish Embassy in Cairo, Swedish National Museum of World Culture, Swedish Consulate in Alexandria, and Arab Academy for Science and Technology. The celebration was attended by several dignitaries, namely: Princess Victoria of Sweden, Mr. Hans Arronson, Governor of Region Vastra Gotaland, Mr. Stellan Mjardner, President of the SOIC, Mr. Stig Elvemar, Swedish Ambassador to Cairo, Mr. Adel Labib, Governor of Alexandria, Mr. Amr El Naggar, General Swedish Consul, Mr Jan Henningsson, Director of the Swedish Institute in Alexandria, Dr. Gamal Mokhtar, President of the Arab Academy for Science and Technology, and several press correspondents and media men.
The Celebration included several performances by the Arab Academy Orchestra, Bohuslan Big Band (Swedish), an Egyptian folklore dancing group, and West El Balad Band. Both Mr. Hans Arronson, Governor of Region Vastra Gotaland and Mr. Stellan Mjardner, President of the SOIC gave a small address welcoming the ship, a symbol for boundless friendship between people all around the world.
The original East Indiaman Gotheborg was built in 1738 at Terra Nova ship yard. the ship made three lucrative voyages to China. But 36 months later, on 12 September 1745, everything came to an abrupt end. Right in front of expectant merchants and family members, Gotheborg ran aground on a submerged rock called Hunnebadan. But today, some 250 years later, one of the world's most exciting full-scale ship reconstructions was able to take place. The Swedish Ship was launched in summer 2003, and two years later it started its long journey to China. The ship was built according to the traditional methods and with the same raw materials used in the 18th century.