Remarks by H.E. Dr. Manaspas Xuto, Adviser to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, at the Opening of the Concert to Commemorate the 140th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Thailand and Italy, 25 November 2008, 19.15 hrs., at Vithes Samosorn, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangkok
Your Excellency Ambassador Ignazio Di Pace,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a little difficult for me to express adequately how delighted and honoured I am to have been asked by Foreign Minister Sompong Amornvivat to represent him on this important occasion.
Among other things, I have a special connection to Italy. Pinned on my lapel here is an insignia of a Knight of the Italian Order of Merit, conferred upon me for having served as Ambassador to Italy many years ago. Also, and particularly relevant, I am one of those who admire the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra (TPO), whose founder, Dr. Sugree Charoensook, dedicated many years of his life to its birth. The TPO has a special mission, which is to train young musicians for itself and other symphony orchestras in Thailand and elsewhere, and it has done well.
Against this background, I gladly welcome all of you to “An Evening with Luciano Bellini and the TPO Chamber Orchestra.”
This special concert is the product of joint efforts between the Embassy of Italy here in Bangkok and the Foreign Ministry to commemorate the 140th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Thailand and Italy. I wish to thank Ambassador Di Pace and his staff as well as the Department of European Affairs for making this event possible.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Relations between our two countries and peoples go back to the Eighteenth Century, when Italian missionaries first arrived in Ayutthaya. And on the 3rd of October 1868 — just a little over 140 years ago — we established official diplomatic relations. Today, Italy and Thailand enjoy a wide-ranging relationship, with Italy ranking among Thailand’s top EU trade and investment partners. While Thai restaurants in Italy are more widespread in Milan than Rome, Italian cuisine is very popular all over Thailand, even in the far northern hideaway of Pai.
But in keeping with the spirit of tonight’s concert, it is also important to consider Italy and Thailand’s longstanding artistic ties. I am sure the name Galileo Chini will ring a bell to many. The great Italian artist came to the Kingdom of Thailand almost one hundred years ago at the Royal Initiative of His Majesty King Chulalongkorn, or King Rama the Fifth. And he left a beautiful legacy: the mural paintings inside Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall being one of the most well-known. Incidentally, the Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall was also designed by an Italian — architect Mario Tamagno.
The magnificent Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall is just one of the many landmarks and works of art left behind by Italian artists and engineers who have graced Thai soil. For instance, one can go on at length describing the life and work in Thailand of Corrado Feroci, known by Thais as Professor Silpa Bhirasri. He has profoundly influenced Thai modern arts as well as the study of fine arts in Thailand.
Tonight, the Italian-Thai artistic relationship continues with this concert. The Foreign Ministry is honoured to have Maestro Luciano Bellini here to perform with the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra. I believe that tonight’s concert will be a treat for us all.
Befitting the special occasion, I would now like to invite all of you to join me in a toast to the continuing friendly and cooperative relations in all fields of constructive endeavour between the Republic of Italy and the Kingdom of Thailand.
ITALY AND THAILAND!
I thank you all.
Prime Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press Division, Department of Information Tel.(02) 643-5170
Fax. (02) 643-5169 E-mail : div0704@mfa.go.th End.