Twenty-two months after construction of the new museum began next to the old Viking Ship Museum, the entire new museum is now roofed. Following tradition, a topping-out ceremony was held for everyone involved in constructing the new Museum of the Viking Age to celebrate the project's progress.
– Today, we celebrate the topping-out ceremony – a symbol of progress and cooperation, and a tribute to the collective effort that brings us closer to the completion of this fantastic project, said Göran Joryd, project manager for the Viking Age Museum at the University of Oslo.
Highly complex
The Museum of the Viking Age is an extraordinarily complex project, and the project manager took the opportunity to thank many of those who are part of creating what will become a safe haven for our Viking ships and an amazing museum for the public.
– I would like to extend a warm thank you to architects, engineers, craftsmen, and everyone else who has put their heart and expertise into this project. Your skills and dedication have brought our vision to life. The building will be the perfect setting for the exhibitions and an important part of the visitor experience, said Joryd in his speech to those present.
The tradition of the topping-out ceremony
According to the Great Norwegian Encyclopedia, a topping-out ceremony is a celebration hosted by the builder for the workers when a new building is roofed. This was marked by the carpenters putting up a topping-out wreath – a wreath or a small tree – at the ridge. The builder then hosted a celebration for the workers, usually within one week. If the celebration was held on time, the carpenters would hang a flag or a flower wreath on the building; if not, they could hang up a rag doll or a broomstick figure. The tradition has now usually been replaced by a gift or a meal.