Programme - The Commonwealth Resounds!

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Message by the President of the Republic
of Cyprus, Mr Tassos Papadopoulos
on the occasion of the cultural events of the
Commonwealth Heads of State and
Government Conference 2005 in Malta
I take this unique opportunity to extend my
warm greetings to the participants in this
multicultural event taking place within the
framework of the Commonwealth Heads of
State and Government Conference 2005 and
the Commonwealth people’s Forum, which
is being hosted in Malta.
I have no doubt that the various activities,
taking place, will demonstrate and highlight
the crucial and extremely beneficial role of
music in promoting and fostering the spirit
of mutual understanding, friendship and
fraternity among the peoples of the large
Commonwealth family, but also among the
peoples of the world in general.
I express my deep satisfaction that Cyprus is
making her significant contribution to this
outstanding event through the participation
of its State Orchestra. Our small country has
always espoused the lofty ideals and
principles on which the Commonwealth is
founded and for the prevalence of which we
have all been struggling with devotion and
determination.
I wish every success to your cultural
activities.
11 October 2005
Between November 25 and 27 our country
will be living a momentous moment when
53 Heads of Government from all over the
Commonwealth converge in Malta for
their biannual meeting which will discuss
various highly critical issues.
Related to this important event, during
the last two weeks of November Malta
will host the Commonwealth Youth Forum, the Commonwealth
People’s Forum and the Commonwealth Business Forum.
These gatherings of people and peoples have led musicians from
India, Pakistan, Africa, Jamaica, Fiji, Australia, Cyprus, the United
Kingdom and Malta to take part in The Commonwealth Resounds!
The Manoel Theatre which was built by Grand Master Manoel de
Vilhena in 1731 making it one of the oldest theatres in the
Commonwealth, will provide a memorable venue for this festival.
Also, it is not a coincidence that the opening ceremony and the
first executive session of CHOGM are being held at the
Mediterranean Conference Centre, which was the former Sacra
Infermeria of the Knights of Malta, one of the foremost hospitals
of its time!
The Commonwealth is committed to democracy, the rule of law
and good governance. Being spread over all the continents, the
Commonwealth is also committed to a structure built on a diversity
of cultures and identities that make it unique. The Commonwealth
Resounds! is an activity that promotes diversity in music which is
the truly ‘international language’.
My congratulations to the organisers and all the participants of
this spectacular event. Such activities promote understanding
between the people of the Commonwealth.
Rt Hon Dr Lawrence Gonzi
Prime Minister of Malta
I am thrilled to have Trinidad and Tobago's national
instrument, the steelpan, the only musical instrument to be
invented in the 20th century, share centre stage with other
cultural expressions at this year's CHOGM in Malta.
The Honourable Patrick Manning
Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
I am very pleased the Australian Government
has brought to Malta the internationally
renowned Australian concert pianist, Simon
Tedeschi, to perform in The Commonwealth
Resounds! concert to be held at the Manoel
Theatre in Valetta, as part of the Commonwealth
Heads of Government Meeting cultural
programme.
It is most appropriate that Simon will be
performing with the Cyprus State Orchestra
and Maltese tenor, Joseph Aquilina, given
Malta and Cyprus’ close community ties with
Australia.
As a gifted young Australian musician, Simon
Tedeschi typifies the talented performers
Australia is exporting to the world. Australians
can be proud this outstanding Australian
concert pianist will be performing at a number
of CHOGM related cultural activities in Malta
being organised by the Commonwealth
People’s Forum. I congratulate all those
involved in this excellent cultural programme.
John Howard
Prime Minister of Autralia
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