The Philippine Embassy organized an authors’ forum on Contemporary Conversations on Philippine Culture and History.

The forum offered an excellent update on contemporary books, literature and the commemoration of National Literature Month and National Heritage Month. The venue was the Embassy of the Philippines, Judge Cesar Bengzon Hall, on 12 April 2023.

Featuring at the Authors Forum were Dr Stephanie Marie Coo, Ms Katrina Stuart Santiago, and Mr Kristian Sendon Cordero. They all delivered outstanding presentations. Isolating the presentation by Dr Stephanie Coo, she held an expose on her encyclopedic study on Clothing the Colony: Nineteenth-Century Philippine Sartorial Culture, 1820-1896.

In her expose Stephanie Coo focused on the use of the Barong Tagalog and on the colonial clothing culture of the Philippines. She mentioned an interesting detail, the undeniable role men played in fashion. Dr Coo is a passionate chino filipino author and historian educated in Manila, Beijing, and Nice. She was in The Hague for a brief visit.

Dr Stephanie Marie Coo has won the prestigious International Convention of Asia Scholars (ICAS) Book Prize for her book “Clothing the Colony: Nineteenth-Century Philippine Sartorial Culture, 1820-18.

In his welcome remarks, H.E. Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya underscored the significance of writing, reading and literature, setting the tone for an evening of engaging discussions. “Reading and literature enables us to see through the lenses of others, and the experiences of others. It makes it possible to comprehend and understand various situations from many perspectives,” the Ambassador said.

Dr. Stephanie Marie Coo, author of the multi-awarded book “Clothing the Colony: Nineteenth-Century Philippine Sartorial Culture, 1820-1896,” provided a visual overview of the attire worn by men and women in the Philippines during the Spanish era. As she explored colonial clothing, she provided unique insights into the clothing styles during that period and emphasized the significance of rigor in doing research, stressing that it must be done scientifically and presented creatively.

Ms. Katrina Stuart Santiago, an author, literary critic, writing professor, and founder of PAGASAph, shared the story of how she co-founded “Everything’s Fine,” a Philippine press that publishes books on independent cultural practices. She shared her personal journey in writing and how she pursued independence, not by isolating but by immersing herself in her surroundings and simply aspiring to be better. “Storytelling is an act of rebellion, and that it is crucial to support independent cultural practices,” she said.

Chosen as one of the Philippines’ Ten Most Outstanding Young Men in 2022, Mr. Kristian Sendon Cordero, talked about the inspiring story of how he established the bookshop “Savage Mind: Arts, Books and Cinema,” which has become the creative heart of Naga City. He shared how this bookshop opened new engagements and networks among younger populations and indigenous communities in Naga and the whole of Bicol province, built around the common love for arts, books, and cinema.

The lively and insightful open forum that followed was moderated by Ms. Dheza Aguilar, Managing Editor of The Filipino Expat Magazine, while Consul Nomer Ado served as the event’s master of ceremonies.

In a Facebook post, the SARO Community said “Cultures have always been changing and adapting… but being away from home should not give us the impression that it’s okay to forget our own – it is our moral responsibility to encourage, understand, protect and preserve our cultural heritage.”

The event was organized in collaboration with the SARO Community, the Bicol Community Nederlands Foundation, and the Savage Mind: Arts, Books and Cinema, a bookstore based in Naga City, Camarines Sur.”

Indeed, a vivid, insightful and captivating open forum.

Once again, the Embassy of Cuba and Diplomat Magazine presented the annual Cuban Salsa Workshop for Diplomats in The Hague, which attracted more than 150 amateur dancers who came every Thursday of March to learn the secrets of the world-renowned dance. 

All continents were well-represented – diplomats from India, Kenia, Guatemala, China, Vietnam, Canada, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Kosovo, and Japan all came to enjoy and relax after a long workday.

“We welcomed all diplomats to share their passion for dance and music in this exciting class. Everyone enjoyed this vital element of Cuban culture regardless of fitness or dancing level”, affirmed Professor Cala, following the event that has been qualified as a success.

Cuban salsa instructor Rafael Cala guided the group for four weeks through the ins and outs of this famous dance; basic steps of salsa, mambo, and rumba, and even some advanced techniques. A group of dancers from Cala School also came to support the participants, giving them the opportunity to practice with professional dancers.

The event ended with a celebration, where dancers had the opportunity to practice what they had learned in the past few weeks in a free-dancing mode with Mildred Latin show.

Mildred came with a selection of the best Latin songs to make the participants feel like they were on a real Cuban dancing floor. Tasty Cuban food and drinks were also provided by the Embassy for the participants to truly experience Cuban culture.

“For Cubans, dancing salsa is like riding a bicycle for the Dutch; Cuban people dance while walking and live through dance. It is a distinctive social element of our culture that we want to share with all of you. What you have learned in these classes is a part of us, it is a bond of friendship, a legacy of happiness”, claimed H.E. Ms. Anet Pino Rivero, the Ambassador of Cuba, before presenting every participant with a certificate of accomplishment.

The workshop took place every Thursday of March at Dansstudio Residance Dorany, Mercuriusweg 37, The Hague. Rafael Cala will continue offering private dancing classes throughout the year.

Information at:  +31 6 13362750

Monday, 24 April 2023, Brussels: A ceremony of presentation of credentials of Turkmenistan’s Ambassador to the European Union, Sapar Palvanov to the President of the European Council Charles Michel as the head of the Representative Office of Turkmenistan to the European Union. By presidential decree signed by President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, Sapar Palvanov was appointed as the new head of Turkmenistan’s Representative Office to the European Union on 18 February 2023.

A bilateral meeting was held within the framework of the ceremony, during which the European politician noted the importance of high-level contacts and suggested organizing a meeting with the President of Turkmenistan in Brussels this year to discuss prospects for enhancing cooperation.

Emphasizing the respect of the European Union for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Turkmenistan, Charles Michel expressed interest in further strengthening ties with the countries of the Central Asian region. In this context, the head of the European Council identified three main areas of the EU agenda for Central Asia: security, peace and socio-economic development.

Speaking about the latest trends in expanding cultural and humanitarian cooperation with Turkmenistan, the President of the European Council welcomed the holding of another round of the Turkmenistan-European Union Human Rights Dialogue in Ashgabat in November 2022, as well as the recent visit to Turkmenistan of the EU Special Representatives for Human Rights and Central Asia, and their negotiations with relevant institutions of Turkmenistan.

The Turkmen diplomat, in turn, focused on the importance of neutrality in the country’s foreign policy and spoke about Turkmenistan’s reforms and progress in areas of interest to the EU. The focus was on economic issues such as trade, energy, transport projects, climate change and cooperation in the digital economy. Some of the potential examples of cooperation, particularly in the areas of environment protection and education, were also highlighted to enhance efforts to build on the mutual engagement. Likewise, the Ambassador shared Turkmenistan’s official stance on the key issues of the global and regional agendas.

In conclusion, the sides renewed their commitment to continuing cooperation and openness to constructive dialogue and interaction within Turkmenistan — European Union and Central Asia – European Union platforms.

For further information 
Mission of Turkmenistan to the EU, Belgium, The Netherlands and Luxembourg (HE Ambassador Sapar Palvanov): https://belgium.tmembassy.gov.tm/en

Images by European Union