Acting Governor General, Sir Philip Greaves (right); Minister of Foreign Affairs, Senator Maxine McClean (left), and Brazilian Ambassador to Barbados, Luiz Gilberto Seixas de Andrade (centre), making their way into the performing hall to see renowned Brazilian pianist, Pablo Rossi, perform.
Brazilian pianist, Pablo Rossi, performing during the musical evening in celebration of Brazil’s 195th Anniversary of Independence.
Barbados pledges to work closely with Brazil to address the challenges that face the two countries individually and as a region.
Speaking at a musical evening in celebration of Brazil’s 195th Anniversary of Independence, featuring renowned Brazilian pianist Pablo Rossi, at the Errol Barrow Centre for Creative Imagination, last Friday evening, Minister of Foreign Affairs Senator Maxine McClean said the two nations would have enjoyed many years of amicable and productive relations, since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1971.
She indicated that over the years, Barbados and Brazil have continuously sought new ways to strengthen their ongoing relationship through consultations and enhanced co-operation, having signed a series of agreements in the areas of education, health, culture, agriculture and services.
“Despite the obvious differences in our size, land mass, populations and economies, we share many common challenges on which we collaborate to find solutions. The negative impact of climate change, the need to find suitable paths for sustainable development, securing of access to clean and reliable water for our populations, the achieving and maintaining of economic growth, are just a few of the challenges that our respective governments struggle to overcome,” she said.
McClean noted that working with Brazil to overcome the mentioned challenges has proven to be tremendously beneficial to the nation, as several officials from Barbados have been exposed to training and workshops organised by Brazil’s government.
She said while Barbados acknowledged 50 years of Independence last year, the two countries share a pride in nationhood that propels “our people to chart our destinies into the future as guardians of heritage”.
As Brazilian Ambassador to Barbados Luiz Gilberto Seixas de Andrade delivered brief remarks, he too emphasised that the two countries have established friendly relations along the years.
He said in 2010, the relations progressed to a higher level when Barbados opened an embassy in Brazil. The Ambassador pointed out that Barbados’ Prime Minister Freundel Stuart, and Minister of Foreign Affairs have both attended high-level meetings in his country.
He made reference to the fact that Brazil intends to assist Barbados’ cultural industry through a costume making workshop, and also to teach Barbadians Portuguese.
Acting Governor General, Sir Philip Greaves, was among the many people who gathered to enjoy the sweet sounds created by Rossi, who is a winner of the first Nelson Freire National Competition for New Brazilian Talents in 2003. He has performed as a soloist with various orchestras across the world, and this was his first time performing in the region. (AH)