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I am delighted to see Montréal play host to the very
first World Conference of Historical Cities to be held in
North America.
This major gathering of professionals, academics
and participants from the four corners of the globe is sure
to produce inspiring and fascinating debates on the stakes
and challenges confronting us in these years of accelerated
development. Historical cities are like so many invaluable
gems preserved in a world enamoured with all that is modern.
In our race towards the future, we need, now more than ever,
to grasp the importance of old cities and buildings. They
are treasures that we have been entrusted with, testimonies
to beauty and continuity left by those who went before us
in centuries past. Historical cities play the role of markers
in our hectic world, reminding us of where we have come from
and showing us the path that we should follow.
May this 8th World Conference of Historical
Cities give rise to profitable and enriching exchanges that
will open new avenues for reflection and action. I hope that
by the end of your meeting many citizens will have heard your
message and will become ardent defenders of the invaluable
heritage of humanity.
Have a great conference!
Line Beauchamp
Minister of Culture
and Communications
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