Honorable Members of the Consular Corps,
Distinguished Guests,
There are more than a few things for which I find Barcelona impressive and inspiring.
One of them is the building we are in, Casa Mila/ La Pedrera of Barcelona’s favorite son, Antoni Gaudi.
Another one is Christopher Columbus, whose statue is erected at the coast of Barcelona, at the end of this road La Rambla.
Probably, the one thing more inspiring than Christopher Columbus is Queen Isabella.
For the sake of sponsoring him, Her Majesty offered up the jewel on her crown. And Christopher Columbus was not even Spanish.
Historians have written that Christopher Columbus found the new world. But this is a thorny statement. Because that world has always been there. And who can claim that this world is old and that is new.
But one thing is sure, when this world met that world, it gave birth to a world that is very powerful.
And that is always the case when different worlds meet.
This evening is the occasion when different worlds meet once again. The world of visual arts meeting the world of architecture. The world of classical Angkor Wat ballet meeting the world of Spanish Flamenco. The world of Asian Feng Shui philosophy meeting the world of western Christian Faith.
And it is of no mere coincidence that the meeting of these worlds takes place in the land that Queen Isabella reigned several centuries ago. She is inspiring us by her courage, her far-sightedness, her great inclusiveness and her willingness to pay the price and sacrifice, for the creation of a more greater universe, waiting to appear.
Some ask me, why am I painting so many peacocks for my feng shui paintings? Am I an animal lover? Well! I am not exactly interested in becoming a zookeeper.
The peacocks that I paint represent the richness, the elegance and greatness that inspiring people like Queen Isabella, Christopher Columbus and Antonio Gaudi had allowed to dance freely from their dreams into their lives.
Please, let us tonight, celebrate together, the Dancing of Prosperity and Elegance!!!
-- Master Yun Long Zi, 27 September 2019
No comments:
Post a Comment