On the picture Maja Christina Steenwijk – Groot, founder of Amstel Award. Photography by Jan van der Loos.
By Catherine Daily.
Jazz enthusiasts among the diplomatic corps, who attended the third edition of the Amstel Awards, in Amsterdam on October 26, will be pleased to learn that Laura Fygi will give a local performance, in Schiedam, during the month of December.
Fygi, an internationally renowned jazz vocalist, has been celebrating her Silver Jubilee this year, to mark her 25th anniversary as a solo artist. In recognition of her significant contributions to the world of jazz music, she was honored with a “by invitation only” gala event at the “Intercontinental Amstel Hotel” in Amsterdam, to receive the 2015 Amstel Award, presented by Ms. Maja Steenwijk-Groot.
The jazz diva released her “25th Anniversary Collection,” featuring 20 jazz classics and 12 bonus tracks including Sabor A Mi, I Will Wait For You and Diamond’s are a Girl’s Best Friend. With a discography of more than 15 CDs to her credit, which can be purchased directly via her website; she continues to perform at international music festivals, in concert halls throughout the world and at private events. This month, she will perform in Daejeon, So. Korea and in the Netherlands before returning to Asia for a New’s Year’s Eve performance in Singapore!
The sparkling Amstel Awards, held in the Amstel Hotel’s intimate “Spiegel Zaal” (Mirror Hall) was organized by Wassenaar’s perennially glamorous Ms. Maja Steenwijk-Groot, together with Ms. Anita Bos, the General Manager of the hotel. Ms. Steenwijk-Groot, founded the Amstel Awards and is Director of Steenwijk Holding, “sterk in vastgoed onderhoud”, an established, discreet and trusted name for unique property renovation, repair and maintenance (visit her website for an impression of the extensive portfolio of unique properties entrusted to her firm’s care).
The exclusive guest list of Bekende Nederlanders (VIPS), specially invited for the occasion, included diplomats, captains of industry, politicians, former ministers, couturiers, media representatives and event sponsors.
A few of the diplomats in attendence were Ambassador of Mexico, H.E. Eduardo Ibarrola Nicolín, and his wife Fabiola Soto; the Ambassador of South Korea, H.E. J.H. Choe and his wife, and the Ambassador of the Phillipines, H.E. Jaime Victor B. Ledda and his wife Gina M. Ledda.
Other luminaries present for the celebratory occasion, included a former ICTY justice; Mr. Martin Schröder, former Director, Martinair and his wife, Tineke Schröder. The Honorary Grootmeesteres of the Royal House, Ms. Martine van Loon-Labouchére, who served Princess Beatrix and, more recently, H.R.H. King Willem-Alexander, was also present to honor Ms. Fygi. Mr. Leo Hertz, Director, Elha Cosmetics and Attorney Carolien van Weering, of Legaltree were also among the many invited guests.
Fygi, accompanied by pianist Jean Louis van Dam during the first half of the program, delighted guests with a multi-lingual selection from the jazz songbook, such as Honeymoon in Mexico and Gershwin’s ‘S Wonderful, ’S Marvelous.
During a short recess to allow time for the set up of the talented 18 piece “Swingtime Big Band,” guests were invited to the “Garden Room” for refreshments and canapés. The program resumed with a more “up tempo” sound, when chairs were removed allowing guests to take to the dance floor for a lively finale to the festive program. Ms. Steenwijk-Groot personally thanked every guest with an elegant “Goodie Bag” containing, amongst other things, complimentary perfume provided by Elha Cosmetics.
Maja Steenwijk-Groot, is arguably elite society’s “Queen” of networking in Wassenaar and The Hague. While her name is well known in the local media and Dutch society’s “better” circles, it is likely to be unfamiliar with diplomats and expats who are new to the area.
In April, 2013, she was honored with the distinction of being named, by Queen Beatrix, now Princess Beatrix, as a Ridder de Orde van Oranje-Nassau (Knight of the Order of Oranje-Nassua). The honorary title was conferred to her by the Mayor of Wassenaar, Jan Hoekema, in recognition of for her contributions to Fonds Slachtofferhulp (Funds to Aid Victims), chaired by Prof. Mr. Pieter Van Vollenhoven. Van Vollenhoven, as many readers may be aware, is the Princess Margriet’s husband and the brother-in-law of Princess Beatrix. Steenwijk-Groot, who has long been associated with the Royal House of the Netherlands, also serves as a personal assistant to H.R.H. Princess Brigitta and H.R.H. Prince Vladimir of Yugoslavia and Serbia.
She also organizes and tirelessly supports numerous other goede doelen (charitable causes) such as the Diplomatic Charity Concert in support of UNICEF. The petite Ms. Steenwijk-Groot, a “fashion maven” at heart and an “animal friend” always, is especially proud of work with advancing two causes, which she is particularly fond of–her own International Fashion Support Foundation and the “Ambassador (animal) Adoption Program” at the Ouwehand Zoo in Rhenen.
A self described ”animal lover,” Ms. Steenwijk-Groot, possesses considerable expertise as a manager of commercial and “unique” properties and she is certain to be as pleased with suggesting the benefits of participating in the zoo’s Ambassador Adoption program, as she is willing to assist with the unique requirements of maintaining public or private properties!
For additional information: http://www.amstelawards.nl/
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