By Duke Michael of Mecklenburg.
The last of a series of four vernissages at the Embassy Art Exhibition took place on Wednesday 4 November at Gallery Patries van Dorst in Wassenaar. The main welcome speech was delivered by the Mayor of Wassenaar.
The Embassies of Armenia, El Salvador, Estonia, Italy, and Venezuela offered a delightful taste of their respective cultures, not only through wonderful artworks but also by way of a delicious variety of national food and drink. The exhibition’s many contributing artists paid a visit to the gallery, some travelling from their home countries just for the occasion. Ambassadors proudly showcased their nations’ exhibits – among them were the Head of Missions of Argentina, Burundi, Cameroon, Chile, Iran, Kenya, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Tunisia, to name but a few.
For a photo album on the Embassy Art Exhibition vernissage number IV, please click here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157660867744971
Her Excellency Ms. Dziunik Aghajanian, ambassador of Armenia, addressed the first speech during the vernissage. “Two Armenian artists came all the way from our country to present their different styles, colours, spirits, mentalities, ways of understanding art and share them with you,” said ambassador Aghajanian.
Furthermore, she stated “…sharing the different art from different countries, bringing it and sharing the language (of art) (…) and trespassing all the differences and difficulties that we have nowadays…”
The ambassador hoped that the art presented “would be more uniting than dividing and it was uniting as all participants celebrated together world art and its beauty”, explained Her Excellency.
Minister Counsellor Agustin Vasquez Gomez said on behalf of H.E. Ambassador Aida Luz Santos de Escobar of El Salvador that “The Hague is not only the place of peace and justice, but also the place of culture.”
The representative of El Salvador noted that the exhibition was a wonderful opportunity to showcase a nation’s culture, and share it with Dutch society. The Embassy of El Salvador brought its artist directly from San Salvador, including the brilliant Mr. Rodolfo Vierro.
Next, the Ambassador of Estonia, H.E. Mr. Peep Jahilo said: “I am very proud to introduce the Estonian painter Kurmaraus,” who made a beautiful contribution to the exhibition.
The Ambassador of Italy, H.E. Mr. Francesco Azzarello introduced three artists: Mr. Vincenzo D’Innella Capano, Mr. Armando Paya, author of a number of books, and Mr. Flavio Gemma. Their artistic lamps added a refined and innovative touch to the exhibition.
The closing speech came from Mr. Jose Bucarello, Minister Counsellor of the Embassy of Venezuela, who introduced the work of the celebrated Venezuelan master and most influential exponent of Venezuelan impressionism, Armando Reverón (1889–1954). The works of Armando Reverón were transported from Venezuela to the Netherlands specially for the exhibition.
The first annual Embassy Art Exhibition offered a unique experience for The Hague’s diplomatic community and wider Dutch society. Eighteen countries provided a multitude of stunning pieces, created by more than 50 artists, and the exhibition was enjoyed by scores of visiting during the four weeks it was open.
Diplomat Magazine, together with Gallery Patries van Dorst, received compliments from guests and participating embassies, and looks forward to next year’s exhibition.
