ambassador
Ambassador's Speech
AMBASSADOR WAYNE’S REMARKS AT THE COCKTAIL IN HONOR OF THE KENNEDY CENTER INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE ON THE ARTS
Ambassador’s Residence
April 15, 2008
Good evening. I want first to welcome the members of the Kennedy Center International Committee on the Arts. I am very pleased that you chose Argentina as the site of your summit this year. I am sure you are enjoying the warmth of the Argentine people and the beauty of this country. I know that you have already met an extraordinary group of cultural experts here for a very rich dialogue and exchange of ideas on the arts.
I also want to welcome the Argentina participants in the Arts Forum held this afternoon at CARI. I cannot think of a better group of representatives of Argentina’s extraordinary culture. The International Committee is fortunate to be able to have this exchange with such a distinguished group.
The Kennedy Center is one of the premier cultural institutions of the United States and therefore it is entirely appropriate that the International Committee visit one of the premier cultural cities of the world. The offering of music, theater, museums and literature here is among the most extensive anywhere in the world.
Argentines and Americans alike are justly proud of their contributions to world culture. We have much to offer each other in this area, and we should take every opportunity to foster and celebrate cultural exchanges between our two nations and people.
In fact this Residence and gardens are examples of this ongoing exchange between our countries. As US Ambassador to Argentina I am pleased to be able to live in this residence which is truly a national historic treasure. US Ambassador Bliss, purchased this building for the US government in the 1920s, and he and his wife built Dunbarton Oaks in Washington, D.C.
I encourage you to seek out the best of what Argentina has to offer during your stay. Undoubtedly the organizers of this event have already put a great deal of time and attention to that purpose. I do hope that you enjoy your visit here and that you will return to Argentina in the future.
Now, it is my pleasure to introduce Stuart Bernstein, Chair of the Kennedy Center International Committee on the Arts and former U.S. Ambassador to Denmark.
Thank you.
