Mr Piotr Dmochowski-Lipski, Director-General, Poland's Ministry of Culture and National Heritage

Your Excellency Boguslaw Marcin Majewski, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Singapore

Distinguished guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

       Good evening, and a very warm welcome to an evening of music under the stars.

2      Singapore and Poland have a longstanding relationship spanning many fields. Our two countries enjoy close cooperation in the areas of economics, technology and research, as well as the arts and culture. On the cultural front, Poland has been a regular participant in arts events in Singapore over the years. Such events include the annual European Union Film Festival and the inaugural European Season 2008. Our museums and galleries have also showcased works by Polish artists and writers, giving Singaporeans opportunities to learn more about Poland right here in Singapore.

3     This evening is yet another occasion for us to celebrate Poland's rich cultural heritage and the partnership of our two nations. I am delighted to receive, on behalf of all Singaporeans, a gift of a sculpture modeled after Frederic Chopin, Poland's most prominent composer. Handcrafted by award-winning Polish sculptor Karol Badyna, this bronze statue is one of his defining works. Badyna's sculptures have added beauty to cities around the world and we are indeed honoured to have one of his works here with us in Singapore.

4     This gift is made possible through the generosity of our kind sponsors, Mr and Mrs Miroslaw Pienkowski, who have been actively promoting Chopin's music in Poland and around the world for many years. Mr Pienkowski is one of the founders and key sponsors of the International Competition of Young Pianists from the Baltic Sea Countries - a competition to promote the works of Chopin among aspiring pianists.

5     The sculpture celebrates the life of Chopin, whose works are the mainstays of Romanticism in 19th Century classical music. It is most apt that the Chopin sculpture is located at the Palm Valley of the Singapore Botanic Gardens, overlooking the Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage. This has become a popular venue for classical music concerts, especially on the weekends. The Chopin sculpture will add to the ambience of Palm Valley as a venue for enjoying music and the performing arts, set amidst the lush greenery and idyllic environment of the Botanic Gardens.

6     With the unveiling of the Chopin sculpture, I hope to see more people enjoying the arts in the Botanic Gardens. I understand that there is a monument of Chopin in Warsaw's Royal Lazienki Park. Since 1959, outdoor Chopin concerts are held in the Royal Lazienki Park every Sunday between May and September each year. The best pianists from Poland and around the world would perform at the foot of the Chopin monument in the park.

7     This evening, our very own young talents from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) Orchestra will enchant us with the music of none other than Chopin. Hopefully, tonight's concert will mark the start of a regular series of Chopin concerts in the Botanic Gardens. Not only will it help to promote greater cultural awareness of Poland amongst Singaporeans, it will add to the vibrancy of our parks as destinations for leisure, including enjoyment of the arts.

8     The serenity of parks and gardens make them ideal settings for one to immerse in the beauty that the arts have to offer. In this regard, I am pleased to see that our parks have evolved over the years to play an important role in promoting the arts and culture in Singapore.

9     Last year, more than 180 arts and cultural events including music and dance performances, films, bazaars, were held in our parks to promote a broader appreciation for the arts amongst the community. Besides the Palm Valley in the Singapore Botanic Gardens, Fort Canning Park is also growing as a venue of choice for many international and local performances, including the ever-popular Ballet under the Stars, and SingFest - the largest live contemporary music event in Southeast Asia. Regular Art Markets at Fort Canning Park also provide a platform for artistic talents to showcase their creative skills and handicrafts.

10     I encourage NParks to continue with its efforts to bring the arts and culture into our parks, and in so doing, enhance the range of lifestyle and recreational offerings in our green spaces. This will make our Garden City an even more attractive place to live, work and play in.

Conclusion

11      In closing, I would like to thank the Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage and the Polish Embassy in Singapore, whose generous support has made this evening's dedication possible. I would like to make a special mention to thank Ambassador Boguslaw Marcin Majewski, who has been instrumental in forging closer ties between the people of Poland and Singapore.

12     My special thanks to the sponsors, Mr and Mrs Miroslaw Pienkowski, for their generous gift of this lovely and significant sculpture.

13     I would also like to thank Yamaha Music Asia and the NAFA Orchestra for making this evening possible, and our distinguished guests for joining us in this celebration.

14     I wish you all an enjoyable evening.

>>back to top