Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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Globe Theatre on Tour Presented Hamlet in Astana, Kazakhstan
Speech given by Dr Carolyn Browne, British Ambassador to Kazakhstan, on 27 September at the Shabyt Palace of Arts. This is an English transcript of the speech, delivered in three languages: Kazakh, Russian and English.
Kazakhstan is the place where Europe and Asia meet. And Shakespeare is where European culture and universal emotion meet. Did you know that half of all children in the world study Shakespeare?
To be or not to be – these are the most famous words in the English language. What a pleasure to hear these old words, tonight, in this new Palace of Creativity.
What a great way to mark 20 years of the British Council in Kazakhstan. What a great way to mark 450’s anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth. And what a great way to mark developing relations between the United Kingdom and Kazakhstan.
My warm thanks to our sponsors – Shell Kazakhstan, Air Astana and the Kazakhstan National University of the Arts. Without your support, this evening would not happen.
Particular thanks to Mrs Alfiya Kuanysheva who has provided support for the Globe’s world tour and who is a patron for the Globe theatre.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Two years ago, the Globe Theatre had a dream. Their dream – to bring the play Hamlet to every country in the world.
Many congratulations to the Globe Theatre, and good luck for their travels!
