What is the purpose of the talk?

Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen. I hope you enjoyed your meal. Personally, I found it to be an absolute feast, and I’d like to thank the organizers for their marvelous work. It’s time to move on to the more formal part of the evening, which comprises the awards for journalist and photojournalist of the year.(86)This year has been a particularly dark and dangerous one for journalists working in war zones.(87)I can only say how much I admire and respect those courageous writers and photographers who have risked death and even torture in order to bring the truth to the world. Would everyone please give a big round of applause for our chief editor? He is going to present our first award.(88)