“Encounter with Stradivari 2018”（16 June 2018）

　On 16 June, the concert “Encounter with Stradivari 2018” was held at the Assembly Hall of Geneva’s Palais des Nations, in commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This concert was organized by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the Nippon Foundation, with support from the Nippon Music Foundation, the United Nations Office at Geneva and the Mission of Japan.

　The concert showcased the exquisite timbres of seven world-renowned Stradivarius stringed instruments, on loan from the Nippon Music Foundation to the highly acclaimed musicians who played them on the day for a rapt audience of more than 1,200 people.

Opening remarks by: Mr. Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, High Commissioner for Human Rights; Mr. Yohei Sasakawa, Chairman of the Nippon Foundation; and H.E. Mitsuko Shino, Ambassador of the Mission of Japan in Geneva

Mr. Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, High Commissioner for Human Rights

Mr. Yohei Sasakawa, Chairman of the Nippon Foundation

H.E. Mitsuko Shino, Ambassador of the Mission of Japan in Geneva

Remarks by Ambassador Mitsuko Shino

“I am here today to represent diversity: diversity in gender, geography, ethnicity, language, culture . . . We are all different, therefore we are all precious.

Human rights are the rights of all people, regardless of our differences. The universality of human rights means that they leave no one behind, no matter how vulnerable.

On behalf of the government of Japan, I am very happy that we could join in celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights here this evening with seven Stradivarius instruments and the talented musicians who play them so wonderfully.

Stradivari’s instruments are so precious. While they can be regarded as beautifully crafted artworks in their own right, if there were nobody to play them, and nobody to listen to them, then they could never be fully appreciated.

In the same way, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is immensely valuable. It too is a remarkable document in its own right, but if there were nobody to implement it, and nobody to benefit from full enjoyment of their rights, then we could never know its true value.

Without further ado, I would like to invite you to enjoy the beautiful harmony of Stradivari.”

Quartetto di Cremona, playing the Stradivarius “Paganini Quartet”

From left to right: Ms. Akiko Suwanai, playing the 1714 Violin “Dolphin”; Ms Yumiko Urabe on piano; Ms. Arabella Steinbacher, playing the 1716 Violin “Booth”; and Mr. Svetlin Roussev, playing the 1710 Violin “Camposelice”