On behalf of Members of Ottawa City Council, representing a population of 888,000, I want to extend a warm welcome to the Chinese-Canadian communities of our nation’s capital, Montréal, Toronto, Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, and others world-wide on the occasion of the Divine Performing Arts 2009 World Tour.
As Mayor of Canada’s capital city, I am pleased that Ottawa has again been selected as one of the Canadian cities, where performing arts will serve as a vehicle to increase public awareness of the important contributions, which Chinese culture, its languages and civilization have made to Canadian multiculturalism.
This world-class production, which will play to an Ottawa audience of more than 8,000 guests in the National Arts Centre’s Southam Hall, is a unique opportunity as well for Canada’s citizens of Chinese ancestry and the broader population to come together via satellite with other Chinese communities in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia to be entertained by internationally acclaimed Chinese performers including talented artists from the West.
As four continents jubilantly ring in the Year of the Ox, allow me to wish you a most enjoyable celebration as well as good health, happiness and much fortune in 2009.
Sincerely,
Larry O’Brien, Mayor
City of Ottawa, Canada
