Foto: Anders Bang-Andersen

Stavanger's Mayor Leif Johan Sevland encourages people to postpone their summer holidays and stay in town on 4 July. Because this is the day that Queen Sonja will celebrate her 70th birthday in Stavanger and there will be a people's celebration taking place in the town centre as well as on the fjord.

As a verification of the national importance of Stavanger2008, the King has agreed to be its patron. The Minister of Cultural Affairs will make the Capital of Culture an integral part of the coming year of diversity. And Queen Sonja has decided to celebrate her big day in Stavanger. Official Norway is looking west, which may mean that others will look in the same direction.

"We are expecting the highest number of royals that Stavanger has ever seen. It will give us a lot of attention and it will be a fantastic celebration," says Mayor Sevland.

The official birthday programme will start in the morning and end late in the afternoon.

"The Royal Residence Leedal will play an important role in the morning and throughout the day. We would like as many people as possible to meet up at Leedal to greet the Queen and wish her a happy birthday. The same goes for in the town centre. We are planning a tour of the town which will include the Cathedral, the town park and the area outside the 2008 organisation's offices," says Mr. Sevland.

Moreover, it looks like the people of Rogaland will be invited to sail alongside the Royal Ships K/S Norge and K/S Dannebrog and their guests on their way down the town fjord. Such a flotilla of private vessels has previously bid goodbye to the Tall Ships’ Race regatta.