Think diplomacy is tough? Try a White House state dinner
Preparations take months. No detail is overlooked, for this is perhaps the most evolved form of diplomacy: the state dinner.
As first lady Jill Biden prepared Wednesday to host her fifth state dinner, for Japan's leader, she made sure that every aesthetic detail — the crystal on the tables, the food on the White House china, the decor in the State Dining Room, the music and the fashion — dripped with diplomatic significance. This dinner, she said in her preview of the event, would make frequent reference to Washington's famous cherry trees, a gift from Japan more than a century ago.
"As guests sit among the field of flowers, glass and silk butterflies from both our countries will dance over the tables, their graceful flight a reminder that as our nations navigate the winds of change, we do so together as partners in peace and prosperity," she said.
The White House Historical Association laid out the high stakes, saying a state dinner "showcases global power and influence and sets the tone for the continuation of dialogue between the president and the visiting head of state."
Related articles
Kosovo prepares a new draft law on renting prison cells to Denmark after the first proposal failed
PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) — Kosovo’s Cabinet renewed efforts with a new draft law on renting a prison in2024-05-21US works to prevent an escalation across the Mideast as Biden pushes Israel to show restraint
WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States on Sunday highlighted its role in helping Israel thwart Iran’s a2024-05-21Hongkong Post to issue special stamps to mark Year of the Dragon
(Xinhua) 16:38, December 14, 2023HONG KONG, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Hongkong Post announced on Thursday2024-05-21World Heritage in China: Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City
(Xinhua) 15:55, November 08, 2023This photo taken on Nov. 7, 2023 shows a stylobate at the site of M2024-05-21I was 'brokefished' by my friend for £400
I need your help. My friend K has been recently telling our friendship group about how dire his fina2024-05-21Concert showcases Chinese traditional music in New Zealand
(Xinhua) 13:34, September 27, 2023CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- A concert of tradi2024-05-21
atest comment