Speech by Mayor Jan van Zanen during his visit to the Embassy Festival, 3 September 2022

Good afternoon everyone,

I am delighted to be here today.

As your guest at the Embassy Festival.

The Embassy Festival which fortunately can now take place again as it used to.

With no restrictions.

Here, in perhaps one of the most beautiful parts of The Hague.

The Hague: home to the world.

And where the cultures of the world are at home, too.

The Embassy Festival presents us with that cultural – and culinary – diversity in all its glory.

Something I was able to enjoy just now as I walked among the stands.

It was then that I realised once again that this is no ordinary festival.

The Embassy Festival provides an outstanding example of how culture can bring people together.

And that is why it is so positive that we are here together for this festival.

A festival which builds bridges between cultures and brings people together.

Not least, because this is precisely what The Hague, as international city of peace and justice, stands for.

One art form which ideally lends itself to that, is music.

It is therefore a great honour for me to announce the Włodek Pawlik Trio.

Please give a warm welcome to this internationally renowned jazz trio and Grammy Award winner from Poland.