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Speech by His Excellency Mr. Sadaaki Numata
Ambassador of Japan
On the Occasion of the Official Opening Dinner of
The Prince Takamado Gallery of Japan at the Royal Ontario Museum
January 26, 2006
Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto
Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado,Ambassador of Japan
On the Occasion of the Official Opening Dinner of
The Prince Takamado Gallery of Japan at the Royal Ontario Museum
January 26, 2006
Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto
Mr. William Thorsell, Director & the CEO of the Royal Ontario Museum
Mr. David Palmer, President & Executive Director of the ROM Foundation,
Mr. Jim Temerty, Chair of the ROM Governors, President of Northan Power,
Mr. Jack Cockwell, Chair of the ROM Trustees,
Mrs. Deanne Orr, Co-Chair of the Bishop White Committee,
Mrs. Pauline Lewis, Co-Chair of the Bishop White Committee,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a great honour and privilege for me to join this commemorative grand opening of the Prince Takamado Gallery of Japan at the Royal Ontario Museum, graced by the presence of Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado.
I would like, first of all, to express my deep respect and gratitude to the Royal Ontario Museum, the ROM Foundation and the Bishop White Committee for having created this magnificent gallery where more than 5,000 Japanese works of art are exhibited.I would also like to thank the Japanese and Canadian business communities, without whose generous donations this would not have been realized.
When I came here in April last year, I wore a hard hat and a special pair of boots to see the gallery under construction.I am very happy to see the gallery completed today, and look forward to seeing the majestic beauty of Renaissance ROM in its entirety.
Culture is like a magnet that draws people together.I have been happy to see a number of Canadians taking an active interest in traditional Japanese culture such as tea ceremony, Ikebana and Bonsai.Manychildren in primary and secondary schools are attracted to the Japanese language through manga and anime.I am sure that the permanent exhibition of Japanese arts in this gallery will stimulate the interest of a broad cross-section of Canadians in the culture, history, society and other aspects of Japan, and thus help widen the circle of mutual understanding and friendship between our two peoples.
We all recall with fondness and respect the very active and important role that His Imperial Highness Prince Takamado played in bridging Japan and Canada.We all look forward to keeping his memory alive through the activities of this gallery and building many more bridges between our tow peoples.
I would like to conclude my remarks by expressing my appreciation once again to all the people who have made this opening possible.I would also like to say how grateful we all are to Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado for building on the valuable work of the late Prince and being with us on this important occasion.Thank you.
From http://www.ca.emb-japan.go.jp/