It was written in the stars: someday I would go to Japan. Many of my distinguished colleagues and friends have preceded me in doing so. However, the fact that I, a ’dog of Flanders’, am welcomed to this country as honorary chairman of the 11th edition of the Osaka European Film Festival, bestows upon me practically too great an honour. It humbles me.

An artist shies away from fame and glory more than he fears criticism or rejection. He tells his story, irrespective of any fashion, cultural trend or political profit. An artist just is. He expresses himself, or he expresses nothing.

The fact that I can be present at this event, and that I am allowed to bear witness to the stories that European artists have to tell, fills me with pride. Any festival with such a heartfelt interest in stories from across the globe deserves to be praised: you choose to broaden your audienceﾕs horizons. In a world full of conflict, this seems to me to be of the greatest importance. For you, the people who choose to watch and listen to these original stories, I will do my very best to be a worthy chairman.