Transcription
Dedication of the Sydney Opera House
as a Sri Chinmoy Peace Opera House
Speech by Lloyd Martin, General Manager of the Sydney Opera House Trust March 6, 1996
Firstly, let me say that the Opera House is delighted to host the Sri Chinmoy Dream-Freedom Peace-Birds exhibition in the Exhibition Hall at the Sydney Opera House. It is an honour for the Sydney Opera House Trust to be associated with Sri Chinmoy, a man whose work in fostering peace and international harmony has been so internationally recognised.
His work has enriched the lives of many millions and, of course, one of his most notable peace initiatives is the Sri Chinmoy Peace-Blossom programme. The programme links together great cities, natural wonders, inspiring monuments and institutions. The cities of Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney have all been dedicated as Sri Chinmoy Peace Cities. The state of New South Wales has just, last year, been dedicated as a Sri Chinmoy Peace State.
This exhibition of Sri Chinmoy’s Dream-Freedom Peace-Birds is an ideal opportunity to dedicate the Sydney Opera House as a Sri Chinmoy Peace-Blossom. The Sydney Opera House embodies peace, beauty, grace and harmony, and we are thrilled to join the worldwide family of Sri Chinmoy Peace-Blossoms. Now I would like to read the dedication before officially opening the exhibition.
“Throughout the ages humanity has sought to capture the grace and beauty of nature in its monuments and institutions. The quest for the ideal form has inspired artists and architects of every generation and thereby, each creation of theirs carried with it the potential to lift the eyes of society, beyond the business of daily life, to higher realms of peace and beauty.
“In 1973, the Sydney Opera House inspired the world with a new vision. This unique architectural creation, majestically poised at the edge of Sydney Harbour, its bow washed by Pacific waters, its freedom-sails flying in the Australian sky, has become an international symbol of humanity’s aspiration for perfection.
“The Sydney Opera House opens its doors and its heart to people of every nation, tradition and religion. Each visitor is touched in a special way. The feeling of inspiration they take with them is helping to spread peace and goodwill throughout the world.
''Sri Chinmoy, known internationally as a man of peace, has dedicated his life to the pursuit of world harmony and to the fulfilment of the unlimited potential of the human spirit.
“Today the Sydney Opera House proudly joins the worldwide family of Sri Chinmoy Peace-Blossoms, significant and inspiring places around the globe, dedicated to the cause of peace and international friendship.”
And with that dedication, I officially open the Sri Chinmoy Dream-Freedom Peace-Birds Exhibition.
The Sydney Opera House is declared a Sri Chinmoy Peace-Blossom by Lloyd Martin, General Manager of the Sydney Opera House Trust, in Sydney Australia. At the same time, the General Manager officially opens the exhibition of Sri Chinmoy’s Dream-Freedom Peace-Birds that are displayed in the Exhibition Hall.
Sri Chinmoy lifts Hayley Westenra at Aspiration-Ground in Jamaica, Queens, New York. Afterwards, Sri Chinmoy gives the New Zealand-born soprano singer, ballet dancer, internationally acclaimed songwriter and recording artist a tour of his Pilgrim-Museum, which displays some of his Jharna-Kala paintings as well as photos of his important meetings with world leaders.