Address by Eric Falt, UNESCO Assistant Director

Address by
Eric Falt,
UNESCO Assistant Director-General for External Relations and Public Information,
on the occasion of the gala event for the Days of the Republic of Daghestan,
UNESCO Headquarters
15 December 2015, Paris, France
Monsieur le Gouverneur de la République du Daghestan,
Mesdames et messieurs les Ministres, membres du Gouvernement de la République,
Madame l’Ambassadrice,
Excellences, Mesdames et Messieurs,
Soyez les bienvenus à l’UNESCO.
Comme je l’ai fait il y a quelques instants en inaugurant l’exposition, je voudrais
saluer chaleureusement cette importante initiative visant à célébrer le 2000e
anniversaire de la ville de Derbent avec ce spectacle de gala, dans le cadre des
Journées de la République du Daghestan.
Au nom de la Directrice générale, je tiens à remercier le gouvernement de la
Fédération Russe, à travers l’excellent travail de la Délégation permanente et de la
Commission nationale qui ont rendu possible cette célébration.
Un remerciement spécial va à la République du Daghestan et a son
gouverneur, Monsieur Abdulatipov qui nous a honorés de sa présence ici à
l’UNESCO pendant ces célébrations.
L’UNESCO est heureuse de s’associer à la célébration de cette anniversaire,
dédiée à la richesse historique et culturelle de la ville la plus ancienne de Russie.
En tant que Site du Patrimoine mondiale de l’UNESCO, il n’y avait guère de lieu
plus propice pour célébrer les 2000 ans de la création de Derbent.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Daghestan is famous for its diversity: its craftsmen, its poets and writers,
painters and musicians, and for its lovely and unique dances. Tonight, here at
UNESCO we will have the chance to experience all of these cultural expressions
through a series of events in honor of the 2000th anniversary of the city of Derbent,
and of the Republic of Daghestan as a whole.
As many of you know, this year is UNESCO’s 70th anniversary, and today
more than ever we recognize the importance of cooperating with our member states
in order to work together towards meeting our common objectives. The Russian
Federation is one of UNESCO’s oldest and strongest partners, and whose
commitment to our Organization’s mission has been remarkable.
Tonight we are gathered here to celebrate one of the many jewels of Russian
culture. It is also about underscoring the importance of intercultural dialogue as well
as promoting the notion that all cultures are different, and that this diversity is actually
a strength for all of us. These are the values of UNESCO, and those that we have
been promoting for over 70 years.
I wish to thank Governor Abdulatipov, and everyone who made this exhibition
and gala concert possible.
A special thanks goes to the artists who have come to UNESCO this evening,
to share their talent and passion, and to promote a culture of peace.
Thank you
SPASIBA