Legendary actress Dame Judi Dench has sent her blessing to next month’s World Shakespeare Congress in Brisbane, declaring the world needs the healing power of great art.
Dame Judi, who is President of the International Shakespeare Association, said in a message relayed through Congress hosts at The University of Queensland (UQ):
"As the time for the World Shakespeare Congress comes closer, I marvel yet again at the way in which admiration and love for the work of our greatest writer have the power to transcend international boundaries.
“The world has never been in such need of the healing power and inspiration that great art can confer.
“As representatives of many nations prepare to gather in Brisbane to celebrate Shakespeare, I send my heartfelt wishes for the success of this historic event.
“I regret that I cannot be there in person, but I will be there in spirit.”
UQ Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Congress Convenor Professor Richard Fotheringham concurred with Dame Judi’s view that Shakespeare transcends borders.
He said the six-day event (July 16-21) will be the first World Shakespeare Congress since September 11, 2001.
“Congress organisers have deliberately focused on Shakespeare’s role in cultures that speak Arabic and follow Islam,” Professor Fotheringham said.
“Personalities at next month’s event will include the former Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister and political prisoner, Dr Anwar Ibrahim, and Arabic playwright Jawad Al-Asadi.
“We live in a part of the world where we have a lot of Islamic neighbors and it’s very important that we start to talk to them and find common ground through cultural understanding in those conversations.”
Professor Fotheringham said delegates and speakers are coming from Australia, Austria, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Poland, Portugal, China, Republic of Korea, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom, USA and Yemen.
For more information on the VIII World Shakespeare Congress: www.shakespeare2006.net
Media contacts: VIII World Shakespeare Congress Senior Program Manager Melissa Western (Telephone 07 3365 1125, melissa.western@uq.edu.au), or Fiona Kennedy at UQ Communications (Telephone 07 3365 1088, mobile 0413 380 012)
