Remarks of Consul-General Hidenobu Sobahsima at Melbourne Japanese Summer Festival 2013 on 10 February 2013
Mr Kenji Ono, President of the Japanese Society of Melbourne,
Mr Shinji Saga, President of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Melbourne,
Organizers,
Sponsors,
Volunteers,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Boys and Girls,
and Babies,
Good Afternoon.
Thank Heavens for the good weather today!
Melbourne is the world’s most liveable city for the second year running. Congratulations!
In this connection, I repeatedly said on various occasions and I am going to say this now again that perhaps the activities of Japanese companies with their Australian partners and the cultural programs organized by Japanese residents with the participation of Australians here are also contributing to this liveability, that is the world’s best, economically and culturally, in this multicultural society.
This Festival is a good example of what I have just said.
This is a Japanese cultural event planned and performed by Japanese residents, sponsored by Japanese companies.
The event is also supported by the City of Melbourne and the State of Victoria as well as local and international sponsors.
And the last but not the least you are participating!
I should like to avail myself of this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to all of them and you for making this event another successful Japanese Summer Festival in this multicultural society.
In the recent months, we have witnessed a lot of significant developments for the relationship between Japan and Australia, including the release of the Australia in the Asian Century White Paper by the Government of Australia, and the visit of Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida to Australia last month in the first round of his overseas trips after the Abe Government was formed in Japan, to further develop a strategic partnership between Japan and Australia based on the shared fundamental values such as democracy, freedom, respect for human rights and rule of law, and covering all areas including security, economy and culture.
The opening in the NGV late last year of the Pauline Gandel Gallery of Japanese Art; the first ever full-fledged gallery of Japanese arts in Australia, is worthy of celebration for many years.
Those who have not been there, please go to level 1 of the NGV: The admission is free.
Now about this Festival.
We already heard the Wadaiko drumming.
We will hear more drumming later as well as Shamisen and Japanese flute. We will see dances by Japanese students and by Japanese ladies in Kimono, among other performances.
As for the stalls, we have Japanese food and drink and cultural items, as usual.
We have raffles.
In addition, today we have exhibitions of affected areas of the tsunami two years ago.
We will also show you next on the screen a video clip of the disaster and recovery.
I should like to avail myself of this opportunity to express my utmost gratitude once again to the people of Melbourne, Victoria and Australia for their sincere sympathy and massive support extended to Japan.
Having said this, I hope you will all enjoy this Festival.
I will enjoy, too.
Thank you.