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Blog – Angela Novell – 81st Federation Conference 2015 Begins with Fabulous Opening Ceremony in Glasgow
Over 1200 members and guests from 26 countries across the federation enjoyed a spectacular opening ceremony for the SIGBI 81st Federation Conference at the Clyde Auditorium Glasgow (SECC).
The crowded auditorium, decorated with beautiful fresh flowers, was buzzing with anticipation with members greeting old friends and offering a warm welcome to new friends and guests. Women from across the federation arrived to enjoy the opening; some wearing incredible vibrant national dress.
The opening flag ceremony, accompanied by atmospheric African drumming, included no less than 32 colourful flags representing the former commonwealth countries, Great Britain and Ireland as well as the United Nations and Soroptimist International. Young women from The Girls Brigade were excellent flag bearers and it was brilliant to see young women at the heart of the opening ceremony. Greetings came from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and Prime Minister David Cameron along with good wishes for a successful conference from across the UK. The ceremony ended with an breath-taking performance by Ayawara, an African band, who provided some incredible high energy dancing and music to really get the conference off to an inspirational start.
This was my first time to conference with SIGBI and it certainly lived up to my hopes and expectations as a wonderful and moving start to an exciting, and I hope inspirational, couple of days in Glasgow.