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87.

Les Artistes Genevois aux Nations Unies

INAUGURAL STATEMENT
BY VLADIMIR PETROVSKY
UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL
DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS OFFICE
AT GENEVA

Palais des Nations, 2 October 2000

Ambassador Nordmann,
Ladies and Gentlemen

I t gives me great pleasure to welcome you all here today to the
opening of this exhibition which celebrates some of Geneva's
finest artists. I must firstly thank Ambassador Nordmann, his
staff at the Swiss Mission and of course the Cartel des Sociétés d'artistes et arti-
sans d'art du Canton de Genéve for organising this exhibition. For the United
Nations, it is a real honour to be hosting it, as it gives us an opportunity to re-
turn some of the warm hospitality which we, as temporary citizens Geneva, so
frequently receive.

One only needs to take a short bus-ride around this beautiful city to see
that art, and the enjoyment of art is a central part of daily life in Geneva. I am
not just talking about its fine collection of museums and galleries - I am
referring to the sculptures, both modern and traditional, which are found in
every park; to its architecture; and even the billboards on practically every
lamp-post which colourfully promote current art exhibitions and concerts. So,
it is a great pleasure to see such a concentrated collection of Geneva's artistic
talent here at the United Nations.
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