Celebration at Paranal (1996)

On December 4, 1996, the Foundation Ceremony for the VLT Observatory took place on Cerro Paranal, in the presence of the President of Chile, Mr. Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle, the Royal couple of Sweden, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia, the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Chile, Mr. José Miguel Insulza, the Ambassadors of the Member States, members of the of the ESO Executive, ESO staff and the Paranal contractors' workers.

The approximately 250 guests heard addresses by Dr. Peter Creola, President of the ESO Council, Professor Riccardo Giacconi, Director General of ESO, Foreign Minister José Miguel Insulza and President Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle.

A time capsule was then deposited by President Frei with the works being blessed by the Archbishop of Antofagasta, Monsignor Patricio Infante.

On the photo, seated in the front row (left to right) on the special platform inside the UT1 enclosure, Mrs. and Professor Giacconi, Mr. José Miguel Insulza, Queen Silvia, President Frei and King Carl XVI Gustaf.