194 Greetings from the President of the State of Israel for the 17th Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Master Competition Organizers and Participants of the Competition, It gives me great joy and pleasure to congratulate you on the occasion of the 17th Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Master Competition 2023, which is being held in Tel Aviv. The Rubinstein Competition has celebrity status in the world of music in general and in the field of piano playing specifically, and its occurrence every three years here in Tel Aviv is one of the highest quality artistic highlights known in the State of Israel and experienced in Tel Aviv, which is itself an important and inexhaustible cultural, creative and artistic center. We are honored that the Competition is held so frequently here in Israel, and brings together such talented musicians from all over the world. The piano playing that you, the contestants, perform for us in this Competition with impressive virtuosity, is most compelling. It has the power to pluck the strings of the soul, to lift our feelings and our spirit, and even to transport the listener and the musician on a miraculous journey to magical realms, for music transcends the bounds of geography, cultures, faiths and ethnicity, and herein too lies its special sway, in breaking down barriers and unifying the human and cultural connection. Beethoven put it best when he annotated one of his works: "[with] a feeling of new power". I commend the Arthur Rubinstein International Society, under the leadership of Chairperson Professor Ruth Arnon, who works tirelessly and expertly to maintain this important and enthralling Competition, and congratulate the founders, organizers, consultants and judges. Finally, I wish each and every one of you the competitors, success and enjoyment on your journey in such a prestigious and momentous competition, and of course – warm congratulations to the eventual winners. I wish you all continued great success in your future endeavors. Best wishes, Isaac Herzog President of Israel צילום: אבי אוחיון, לע"מ Greetings
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTQ4MDQ5