IFAJ-2001 in Savonlinna

Kiitos ja näkemiin

Farewell Dinner at St`Olafs´ Castle

12.09. 2001

Closing speech by Ms. Pirjo Kontio

Dear Colleagues,

Dear Friends

It`s my great pleasure to thank you, our dear Colleagues, once again for your participation at our congress.

We all, members of the Finnish IFAJ-team have experienced many unforgettable days with You here in Savonlinna.

We wish that in spite of dreadful news from USA you could enjoy the various themes of Northern Dimension. Our deepest condolences to all our American colleagues: we pray that your family members and friends are well.

Rude terrorist attacks to New York and Washington remind us the importance of our own occupation.

Also we, agricultural journalists from all over the world have to do our best to ensure the world peace.

As many of You have realised, the real essence of IFAJ is meeting other colleagues, other human persons in congresses, at least once a year.

During this congress in the big IFAJ Family were a hundred members from 26 countries by age from 4 to 82. I´m proud of You all.

I wish that those of You who have been with us the first time, can participate at various congresses in the future. Especially I wish that IFAJ Young Journalist Grant winner Mr. Otto Nagy from Hungary will be with us many times. I think that Otto could follow the example Mrs. Edith Waldmann has given to us. This is her third congress in Finland. Edith, I´m sure that You know that in the IFAJ Family we share the good and the bad days.

I thank You for kind feedback and response to everything we have done.

Have safe journey back home.

It´s good to remember that we have to take care of each other, that we have to take care of the earth.

Finally, I´d like to read You a small poem, written by Finnish poet Tommy Tabermann:

This is the place in time.

For a moment

Lightning is frozen in the sky

and the cranes discover

the south in their feathers.

This is the moment in the night,

filled with us to the brim.

This is the place in time.

Forward we cannot

proceed, backward

We do not want to go,

here we are unable

to stay for long.

In this place

I would like to lay my head to rest.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dear Colleagues:

Now is the touching moment to pass the congress flag to the Spanish Association, to the President Christobal de la Puerta.

Christobal, es mi gran honor dar te` esta bandera de la IFAJ.

Deseo que Ustedes tengan buena suerte con su congreso en el ano entrante en Valencia. Les deseo muchos participantes, mucho dinero y interesantes reuniones. El clima es bueno en Valencia, esto ya lo sabemos.