The following are excerpts of a speech delivered by Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof on the occasion of the Asean Festival of Arts Gala Performance and Launching of Bandar Seri Begawan as Asean City of Culture, which was held in conjunction with the Meeting of Asean Ministers Responsible for Culture and Arts and Related Meetings with Dialogue Partners at the Main Theatre, Prime Minister's Office on Wednesday:

"We need to celebrate our rich and diverse cultures and the arts, as it is through these cultural expressions that makes our people in this region unique.

"Our people back then, worked and live together in communities. Such communities built up villages and towns as a centre for their cultural activities. Towns later increased in populations to become cities and centres for development.

"Bandar Seri Begawan has witnessed such an evolution of culture and the arts. Sungai Brunei or the Brunei River signified the political, economical and socio-cultural importance of the nation. Bandar Seri Begawan or her old name Bandar Brunei is synonymous with Kampong Ayer or the Water Village that has existed for more than 600 years.

"Now Bandar Seri Begawan has increased its municipality area to 100.36 square kilometres, and is known as the City in the Garden.

"The selection of the Asean City of Culture coincides with the Chairmanship of AMCA and the city hosting the meeting will be designated as the Asean City of Culture. As Brunei Darussalam is the Chairman of AMCA, Bandar Seri Begawan has been chosen as the Asean City of Culture 2016 to 2017. During this designated period, Bandar Seri Begawan will be celebrating it with cultural events and activities. This evening's Asean Festival of Arts will mark the beginning of the many celebrations of Bandar Seri Begawan Asean City of Culture.

"It my great pleasure to declare Bandar Seri Begawan, as the Asean City of Culture from 2016 to 2017."

Source:
@BRUDIRECT.COM

by BruDirect.com

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