Address by H.E. Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, Hon'ble Adviser for Foreign Affairs at the Cultural Programme of the BJ Dance Group organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Bangladesh at Shilpakala Academy on 23 May 2008

- I am delighted to be invited to this Korean Dance Programme. I am beholden to Ambassador Park Suk-bum for the kind invitation.

- Dance constitutes a major art, a form of cultural expression. It is usually bequeathed to a people by one generation to another. This is the case with the Koreans. This is also the case with Bangladeshis, and with all peoples for that matter.

- And culture, said the mighty Rabindranath Tagore, is the soft light that emits from the diamond of learning.

- Culture also unites peoples, building bridges between them. The Korean Dance Group through their exquisite performance is connecting our two nations. They are enhancing people to people contact. They are quenching our thirst for the appreciation of beauty in the diversity that pervades the world.

- Both our nations enjoy a rich cultural heritage. We are heirs to ancient civilizations. I was myself privileged to have been exposed to some Korean culture during a visit to that beautiful country last year.

- I have every reason to believe this performance will help cement the bonds of friendship between our two countries and peoples, and widen and deepen our cooperation. Once again, thanks to all.

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