BRIEF REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT THE LUNCH HOSTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF ESPOO GUMBOLE MANOR
BRIEF REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT THE LUNCH HOSTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF ESPOO GUMBOLE MANOR, ESPOO, FINLAND
Madam President, Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,
This is the final event in my programme before I take leave of you, Madam President, and of Finland. It is a memorable conclusion to what has been a delightfully happy, useful and personally fulfilling visit.
Mr. Chairman, I am very grateful to you for your kind words. It was a joy to see the many harmonious faces of the handsome city of Espoo this morning, its blend of advanced high technology, outstanding architecture and nature, a triumph of visionary urban planning.
It is remarkable that such a young city is already not alone Finland’s second most populous city but also Finland’s capital of knowledge. The dynamism of your civic leadership and citizens has attracted some of the most successful and innovative Finnish and multinational companies to make Espoo their headquarters. You have shown that it is possible to build up the economic fabric of a city while also developing its social, environmental and cultural aspects. That is in itself an achievement worth celebrating and, as I saw from my most enjoyable visit to the Espoo Cultural Centre, there is a lively cultural imagination at work here. The Tapiola Children’s Choir which I had the joy of hearing was marvellous and those talented children were a sure sign of a culturally rich and confident future.
Thank you so much for your hospitality in this fine and distinguished manor house. I wish you continued success and fulfilment in your work and it is now my great pleasure to propose a toast to the future prosperity of Espoo.