By Swami Jonard
As the summer just began, the Diplomat Magazine organized on June 23rd an event to celebrate and showcase the products and culture of Latin American countries. The event was organized in partnership with La Casa del Habano at the Leonardo Royal hotel in the Hague, and featured the embassies of Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela and Guatemala, each displaying on their stands the various crafts from their countries.
Each embassy was represented by their dignitaries: Ambassador of Colombia H.E. Ms. Carolina Olarte Bácares, Ambassador of the Dominican Republic H.E. Mr. Juan Bautista Durán, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Venezuela Mr. Wilhen Neomar Diaz Lara and Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Guatemala Mr. Lesther Antonio Ortega Lemus.
The Colombian embassy showcased the product the country is most famous for: coffee. The high quality grounds are sourced from the so-called Triangle of Coffee.
This coffee is grown by cooperatives that promote ancestral artisanal practices, sustainable agriculture and puts forward the important role of women in this industry. As the Colombian Ambassador emphasized in her speech, promoting Colombian coffee across the world contributes to the peacebuilding effort in Colombia by reintegrating rural communities into a virtuous local economy.
The Dominican Republic’s stand featured the country’s finest rhum and cigars. Dominican cigars are some of the most renowned in the world. Ambassador Durán explained how cigars are an integral part of the Dominican culture, as they originate in ancient indigenous crafts and have been prized by the world for centuries.
As Rhum and cigars form strong social binder in Dominican culture, he expressed that how event is an important symbol for Latin American unity.
On the other side of the Caribbean Sea, the Venezuelan Embassy chose to display different aspects of their culture. Among various brochures about the rich touristic sites and natural treasures around the country, a painting of Maryolga Nieto, Venezuelan artist could be seen at the back of the stand.
The products presented were Venezuelan rhum and chocolate, produced in the unique climates of Venezuela. The Chargé d’Affaires of the embassy announced in his speech the opening of a university degree of chocolate science to expand the knowledge on this resource.
Finally, the Embassy of Guatemala presented its own rhum products. With an informative exhibit of the rhum making process, the guests could understand better what constitutes the final product. In combination with the renowned Guatemalan coffee, the stand served a newly concocted cocktail of rhum and espresso.
After completing the tour of the various South American products, and listening to the opening speeches of each country’s representative, the guests could enjoy the musical performance of the talented Mildred Latin Show and Jorge Martinez Galan duo. The event was finally concluded with a dancing party, where all the presented delicacies could be enjoyed in a festive spirit.
