“Libertad, luces del Ecuador: Paintings by Voroshilov Bazante” (en anglais)

Ambassador Gallegos Chiriboga
Mr. Durand [poet, writer]
Mr. Bazante [artist]
Excellencies
Ladies and gentlemen:

It is my pleasure to welcome you to the opening of this exhibition, showcasing the original and inspiring artwork of the Ecuadorian artist Voroshilov Bazante. I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to Ambassador Gallegos Chiriboga and the Permanent Mission of Ecuador for making this event possible. I would also like to thank the Permanent Mission for its very active participation in the Cultural Activities Progamme of the UN Office at Geneva. We truly enjoy your substantive and artistic contributions in the shared spirit of cross-cultural understanding and exchange.

Indeed, this spirit of cultural diversity and of tolerance, freedom and peace is found in these paintings exhibited here today. It is the same spirit found in the ideals and the guiding principles of the United Nations. Our world has transformed beyond what the originators of the UN Charter or the Universal Declaration of Human Rights could have ever imagined. Yet our objectives remain the same: to promote peace, human rights and sustainable development for a better future for us all.

As we enjoy Mr. Bazante’s paintings and Mr. Durand’s words, we reconfirm that fact that being able to express oneself freely is both a foundation for human dignity and a cornerstone of democracy. While we now experience unprecedented opportunities for creativity and expression thanks to new technologies and media, we also face new challenges. New measures to block, filter and censor information emerge every day. Every day, artists, journalists, social activists and others around the world find themselves censored, threatened, or worse – for exercising this fundamental civil, political and human right.

Excellencies
Ladies and Gentlemen:

Through Mr. Bazante’s artistic expressions showcased here today, we sense his identity – that of an Ecuadorian, and that of a member of our human family. By respecting the right to produce such work, we not only recognize the importance of protecting and promoting our fundamental human rights, but cultural diversity and individual expression in all its forms.

Thank you very much and I wish you a good evening.