March 14, 2000
Mayor Kicks of Year Long Celebration of Bicentennial
(Washington, DC) Mayor Anthony A. Williams officially launched the celebration of the District's 200th birthday as the Nation's capital with a donation of an electric light artwork display from the city of Helsinki, Finland at Dupont Circle Metro. This is a first in a series of city-wide arts, entertainment, sports, education and cultural programs.
The display, entitled "Light Comes From the North," is produced by Helsinki artist Annikki Luukela and will remain in place at the Dupont Circle Metro Station for a minimum of four weeks. The artwork is constructed with moving and overlapping multicolored lights illuminating the walls and ceilings of the Metro Station, accompanied by the chirping tunes of Finnish songbirds.
"This artwork also gives us an unique opportunity for a cross cultural experience with a city like Helsinki, which*while widely accepted as a prominent center of culture and commerce throughout Europe*is generally a mystery to most Americans," said the Mayor. "I look forward to continuing this yearlong celebration with residents from around the region and our international guests."
The Mayor was joined by Mayor Eva-Riita Siltonen from Helskinki; His Excellency, Jaakko Laajava, Ambassador of Finland to the United States; the Honorable Linda Cropp, Chairman of the D.C. Council; City Councilmember Jack Evans; Gladys Mack, Chairman of the Board of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA); Richard White, WMATA General Manager and James V. Kimsey, Chairman of Millennium Washington.
