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Consulate General of the United States of America Milan, Italy |
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| P R E S S R E L E A S E |
Assistant Secretary Patricia Harrison Visits Venice to Inaugurate the American Pavilion at the Architectural Biennale |
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VENICE, September 9 through 12, 2004 – In her official visit to Venice, Acting Undersecretary for Public Affairs and Public Diplomacy and Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs Patricia Harrison enjoyed an almost-presidential schedule.
Her visit was principally focused on her role in officially opening the U. S. Pavilion at the 9th Venice Architectural Biennial. This is only the second time that the U.S. Government has participated in the Venice Architectural Biennial. Ms Harrison also was able to shift some of the focus of her visit to the tragic terrorist acts of September 11, 2001. She hosted a symposium at which U.S. Cultural Ambassador Daniel Libeskind, who won the competition to design and build a new New York World Trade Center, discussed his inspiration in design with vanguard architects. Mr. Libeskind later unveiled his design for a 9/11 Memorial that will break ground in Padua in late 2005. Ms Harrison’s own reflections on 9/11 were published in the 9/12 edition of “Il Gazzettino”. Ms Harrison also held meetings with key local officials who are working to resolve the funding issue for U.S. participation in the 2005 Venice Arts Biennial. Ms. Harrison reported considerable optimism that a new coalition of funding partners will soon be announced, thereby assuring U.S. participation at this important worldwide cultural event. Ms. Harrison was helpful in furthering our ties with official contacts in the Veneto Region. She met with Veneto Regional President Giancarlo Galan, and Venice Mayor Paolo Costa, discussing future cultural cooperation between the U.S. and the Veneto Region. She also hosted a breakfast with a high level group of seven former International Visitors and Fulbrighters representing major media outlets, the university world, and key law firms. She also was the guest of honor at a lunch hosted by the Coin family at their Grand Canal palace Palazzo Barbaro that was attended by representatives of the Venetian business community, the traditional aristocracy, and visitors in town for the Architectural Biennial and the Venice Film Festival. |
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