NatWest Island Games 2009 commemorative fountain unveiled

The city commissioned local artist and ex-footballer Jonas Wilén to create a suitable memorial to the largest sporting event the islands have ever put on. The hollowed out mosaic-patterened disc lets water fall in an echo of the feeling of living on an island and being surrounded by the sea.
The ceremony started with local pop star Mikaela Mattsson singing the Games anthem before the leader of the town council, Gunnar Jansson, spoke of the city’s pride at holding the Games for a second time and promised to hold the Games again in the future. The fact that over a thousand city-dwellers had already volunteered for these Games convinces Mr Jansson they will return.
Åland sport minister Britt Lundberg then spoke of the Island Games as the pinnacle of the athletic career of most island dwellers.
The ceremony ended with ex-sprinter Tove Jansson pouring a mixture of water from the 25 islands attending these Games to declare the commemorative fountain officially open.
The city council hope it will stand forever as a memorial to the 2009 Games and promise the water will not stop falling until the Island Games return.