Halldór Pálsson

Letters of recommendation and thanks

Letters from heads of state and international leaders, with the photographs and stories behind them.

Kofi Annan

Secretary-General of the United Nations (1997–2006)

Halldór with Kofi Annan at the United Nations headquarters, New York, 1998.

Halldór met Kofi Annan in 1998 on the 38th floor of the United Nations headquarters in New York.

After sending him copies of the first two New Millennium Series books, Halldór received this thank-you letter from the Secretary-General.

Vigdís Finnbogadóttir

President of Iceland (1980–1996)

Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, the photograph accompanying her letter.

Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, former President of Iceland, is Halldór’s personal friend and relative. His original account describes the pleasure of working with her.

Her letter introduces Halldór and the New Millennium Series publishing project.

Richard von Weizsäcker

President of Germany (1984–1994)

Richard von Weizsäcker, National Chairman for New Millennium Series – Germany.

Richard von Weizsäcker was the National Chairman for New Millennium Series – Germany.

A personal detail from Halldór’s account: von Weizsäcker, Vigdís Finnbogadóttir and Halldór share the same birthday, 15 April.

Guntis Ulmanis

President of Latvia (1993–1999)

From left: Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, Guntis Ulmanis, Halldór Pálsson and Ólafur Grenz, Halldór’s publishing partner and personal friend.

Guntis Ulmanis sent Halldór a letter of recommendation before the first New Millennium Series book was published.

The accompanying photograph includes the presidents of Iceland and Latvia, together with Halldór and Ólafur Grenz, his partner in the New Millennium Series publishing venture for six years.

Halldór Ásgrímsson

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iceland

Halldór Ásgrímsson, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iceland.

Halldór Ásgrímsson provided a letter of recommendation before the first New Millennium Series book was published.

Kuupik Kleist

Prime Minister of Greenland

The meeting in Nuuk, Greenland.

Halldór met Kuupik Kleist in Nuuk, Greenland. The Prime Minister’s letter supported the West Norden publication.

Earl Drake

Former Canadian Ambassador to China

From left: Ottó Ólafsson, Earl Drake and Halldór Pálsson.

Earl Drake, former Canadian Ambassador to China, sent Halldór this letter of support. The original photograph shows Drake with Ottó Ólafsson and Halldór.

Guy F. Tozzoli

President of the World Trade Centers Association

From left: Herbert Ouida, Vice President of WTC, Halldór Pálsson and Guy F. Tozzoli.

The original photograph places Halldór alongside Herbert Ouida and Guy F. Tozzoli. It accompanies Tozzoli’s letter as President of the World Trade Centers Association.

Jaakko Lehtonen

Director General of the Finnish Tourist Board

Jaakko Lehtonen, Director General of the Finnish Tourist Board.

The Finnish Tourist Board was pleased with the outcome of New Millennium Series – Finland and recommended that companies take advantage of the publication.

Svavar Gestsson

Chairman of the Nordic Cultural Fund

Svavar Gestsson, Chairman of the Nordic Cultural Fund.

Svavar Gestsson was the first leader to recommend the Nordic Book project.

Ministers of Education

Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland & Denmark

Flags from the original West Norden correspondence page.

Halldór met the education ministers of the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Iceland individually to explain his vision. After these meetings he received letters of support from all of them, as well as Denmark.

The West Norden book set subsequently became teaching material in many schools.

Explore the publishing years