Singapour en France - le Festival Thank You Reception

His Excellency Tan York Chor, Singapore Ambassador to France
                    
Mr Jean-philippe Mochon, Head of Legal and International department, Ministry of Culture and Communication

Ms Anne Tallineau, Deputy Director General, Institut français 

Mr Guy Amsellem, President of CAPA (Cité de L'architecture et du Patrimoine) 

Mr Robert Tomlin, Chairman of DesignSingapore Council

Excellencies, Distinguished guests

1. Tonight, we gather in this beautiful venue to say thank you to our partners who have been key in making Singapour en France – le Festival  a success. 

2. For the past three months, we saw the best of Singapore's arts and culture that toured across different parts of France. More than 250 of our artists and creative talents worked with over 30 prestigious French institutions to present more than 70 arts and cultural programmes around France. I understand that more than 335,000 visitors have attended these programmes, which showcased Singapore's rich multicultural diversity. 

3. While the numbers are positive and heartening, what is more important are the many personal and lasting relationships built between our Singaporean and French artists and institutions. Tonight, we celebrate these relationships that have been built – the partnerships, the cross-cultural exchanges, and the mutual learning. 

4. This Thursday, I will also witness the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the National Gallery Singapore and Centre Pompidou for a co-curated exhibition to be held at the National Gallery in 2016.  These are some of the outcomes that have emerged from the long-standing relationship between our two countries.  It is through our strong ties that we are able to continue these very fruitful cultural exchanges.

5. Even though we are hosting the Thank You reception tonight, the Festival has not officially ended. There is still much to look forward to in the month of June. Tonight, we celebrate the launch of 1000 Singapores, an architectural exhibition jointly presented by DesignSingapore and the CAPA. We will also have the pleasure of having children from the Singapore Symphony Children's Choir give us a preview ahead of their debut concert at the Philharmonie de Paris on 20 June. This weekend, we will also be sharing the many delicious Singaporean dishes at the Saveurs de Singapour at the Berges. More than a showcase of our delicious food, it also presents Singapore's rich food heritage that reflects the multicultural diversity of Singapore, a very important intangible heritage that we have.

6. The Singapour en France festival has been an eye-opening cultural exchange between our two countries. It reflects and reaffirms the strong relationship that Singapore and France have built over the last 50 years, and we will continue to build on that in the years to come. My sincere thanks again to all our French partners for your support and warm reception of our artists and talents.

7. On this note, I declare 1000 Singapores: Eight Points of the Compact City, opened.

8. Thank you and have an enjoyable evening.