Major winter exhibition ‘Cyprus: A Dynamic Island’

Editor
-
0
Major winter exhibition ‘Cyprus: A Dynamic Island’

Opening at the Dutch National Museum of Antiquities on 11 October 2019

On 11 October 2019, the exhibition ‘Cyprus: A Dynamic Island’ opens at the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden in Leiden (RMO, the National Museum of Antiquities of the Netherlands).

This is a unique exhibition about one of the most important crossroads of ancient cultures in the Mediterranean region. It features a selection of 400 superb archaeological objects, more than 300 of which come from Cyprus’s national collections. They represent over 9,000 years of the island’s history, in an impressive setting of huge artistic landscape photographs.

The exhibits include life-sized sculptures and portraits in marble and terracotta, imaginative pottery decorated with little faces and animal figures, luxury imported goods from the Near East and Egypt, large bronze cauldrons and weapons, colourful mosaics, gold jewellery and a royal throne inlaid with silver display, highlighting both the diversity and the uniqueness of the island’s culture.

This will be the first major exhibition on the archaeology of Cyprus to be shown in the Netherlands. ‘Cyprus: A Dynamic Island’ will be on view until 15 March 2020, including Mondays. www.rmo.nl/cyprus

Cyprus is associated with Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love who was born ‘from the silver foam of the sea’ near the Cypriot coast. Thanks to its strategic location, the island has been at the centre of contacts and trade between different cultures in the eastern and western Mediterranean for thousands of years.

That constant dynamic movement of people, goods and ideas between Cyprus and the surrounding cultures, and the merging of cultural influences are the key emphases in the exhibition. Sea, landscape and the natural beauty of Cyprus will feature prominently: metres-high artistic photographs of the natural scenery and subtly-moving projections provide the décor for the exhibition’s story. Visitor will experience the exhibition as a relaxed stroll through a serene landscape, passing highlights of Cypriot culture.

A second storyline, that of remarkable historical figures and archaeological excavations on Cyprus since the early 19th century, will also focus on illegal digs and trade in antiquities, a subject that remains high on the Cypriot agenda.

Never before has Cyprus lent so many archaeological objects at once to a foreign museum. Loans have been provided by Department of Antiquities in Cyprus from the Cyprus Museum (Nicosia) and diverse other national, regional, and private Cypriot museums. A life-size terracotta grave statue from the famous sanctuary of Ayia Irini will be provided on loan to the RMO by the Swedish National Museums of World Culture.

Princessehof Ceramics Museum in Leeuwarden and the Kunstmuseum The Hague contributed ceramic work by Pablo Picasso, who clearly drew inspiration from archaeological pottery. From Museum Voorlinden the RMO was able to obtain the loan of a present-day Venus (‘Venus Bleue’ by Yves Klein). Other objects come from the RMO’s own collection and from the Allard Pierson in Amsterdam.

The exhibition will be accompanied by audio guides (Dutch/English), a book for the general public (150 pp., Dutch/English), series of lectures by Dutch and international experts, guided tours (also for families), workshops, and an afternoon seminar organised in conjunction with Leiden University. There will also be a special audio guide for children and special children’s activities in the school holidays.

The exhibition ‘Cyprus: A Dynamic Island’ and the accompanying book were prepared in close partnership with the Department of Antiquities in Cyprus (Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works) and the Cyprus Museum in Nicosia, and with the support of the A.G. Leventis Foundation; the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus in the Netherlands; Cyprus Ministry of Tourism; Press and Information Office, Republic of Cyprus; the Prince Bernhard Culture Fund; Labrys Reizen; the Cultural Heritage Agency (Ministry of Education, Culture and Science); and the Society of Corporate Friends of the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden. The Rijksmuseum van Oudheden is supported by the BankGiro Lottery.

European Conference of Philippines Order of the Knights of Rizal

Editor
-
0
European Conference of Philippines Order of the Knights of Rizal

In the picture GroupEra2: Knights of Rizal.

By Anton Lutter.

The Republic of The Philippines has one order of knighthood, founded in 1911 to commemorate the martyrdom of Philippine national hero, Dr. José Rizal.The order is internationally organized and has about 200 chapters all over the world including Europe. 

Once in every two years an assembly of knights from Europe is held, this time in London 30 august – 1 September. 

Delegates who attended the 17th European Regional Assembly came amongst others from Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy The Netherlands and of course the United Kingdom. 

The assembly was honored by the attendance of the international leadership from Manila, including the supreme commander of the order Sir Elihu Ybanez, KGCR a judge and candidate for the Phlippines supreme court, Sir Frisco San Juan, KGOR Undersecretary in the current government of The Philippines and former vice-governor of Rizal Province, Sir Francis Sison, KGOR from the USA and former supreme commander Sir Virgilio Esguerra, KGCR.

Philippino dancers

The first day included a visit to The Philippines embassy not far from the famous Trafalgar Square, where knights and ladies were received at the Sentro Rizal by the deputy chief of mission and consul-general Senen Mangalile, who gave us a nice reception.

The actual conference – at Baden Powell House in Kensington – was organized under the leadership of the regional commander of the UK Sir Alfonso Taguiang, KGOR and Lady Aurea Taguiangand their team, with their hospitality and kindness they made everyone feel welcome. The first message was delivered by Sir Albert Arevalo, KGOR the regional commander for Europe, followed by highly interesting keynote speeches by Ybanez, San Juan and Esguerra, about the different aspects of Rizal and his relevance for the world we now live in.

Judge Sir Elihu Ybanez, KGCR

After the usual ceremonies which are typical to an order of knighthood it was of great joy that the overall adviser for Europe and master of ceremony at the conference Sir Felino Paras, KGCR – from Brussels – had been awarded the Pro Patria Award for his decades of service to order and Filippino community.

The Pro Patria Award is not only the highest award within the Order of Knights of Rizal, it has never been awarded -save 2 others – to non-supreme council members.  The commander of The Hague chapter from The Netherlands was given the honor to present the recent new Dutch translation of Jose Rizal’s first book the Noli Me Tangere written in 1887, to the supreme commander.

The Dutch Noli will be part of the extensive collection at international headquarters in Manila. The day ended with a magnificent gala dinner and ball at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel, which included a Philippines cultural program. The next day started by mass celebrated by Fr. Jorgedy Bago, catholic priest of Filipino community in Antwerp which was followed up by a fraternal message from the supreme commander Sir Elihu Ybanez, KGCR which concluded the 3 day assembly in London.

The Appeals Chamber Renders a Review Judgement in the Case of Prosecutor v. Augustin Ngirabatware

Editor
-
0
The Appeals Chamber Renders a Review Judgement in the Case of Prosecutor v. Augustin Ngirabatware

In the picture Judge Theodor Meron.

Arusha, 27 September 2019– Today, the Appeals Chamber composed of Judge Theodor Meron (United States), presiding, Judge Joseph E. Chiondo Masanche (Tanzania), Judge Lee G. Muthoga (Kenya), Judge Aminatta Lois Runeni N’gum (Gambia), and Judge Gberdao Gustave Kam (Burkina Faso) delivered its judgement on review in the case of Prosecutor v. Augustin Ngirabatware, Case No. MICT-12-29-R.

The Appeals Chamber rejected Ngirabatware’s attempt to show in review proceedings that the four key witnesses underpinning his convictions for direct and public incitement to commit genocide and instigating and aiding and abetting genocide had truthfully recanted their trial testimonies. The Appeals Chamber decided that the appeal judgement, sentencing Ngirabatware to 30 years of imprisonment for these crimes, remains in force. 

The Appeals Chamber found that Ngirabatware had not presented sufficient evidence capable of belief that the witnesses had truthfully recanted. The Appeals Chamber observed that the circumstances surrounding the recantations of the four witnesses, including evidence that the witnesses received or sought financial incentives in connection with their recantations, as well as the fact that the recantations may have been orchestrated by others, raised considerable suspicion. Notably, two of the four witnesses renounced their recantations at the review hearing and affirmed the truth of their trial testimony against Ngirabatware. 

The review hearing was held from 16 to 24 September 2019 at the Arusha branch of the Mechanism. The Appeals Chamber heard six witnesses, including the four recanting witnesses, and oral arguments from the parties. This was the first time the Arusha branch’s new courtroom, which is one of the most technologically advanced in the world, has been used for evidentiary hearings. 

Augustin Ngirabatware served as Minister of Planning as part of the Interim Government in April 1994. His trial judgement was pronounced by Trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda on 20 December 2012, and his appeal judgement of 18 December 2014 was the Mechanism’s first judgement. 

Statement of Prosecutor Serge Brammertz in relation to Review Judgement

Editor
-
0
Statement of Prosecutor Serge Brammertz in relation to Review Judgement

In the picture Prosecutor Serge Brammertz.

Arusha, 27 September 2019 – Following the issuance of the review judgment in the case Prosecutor v. Augustin Ngirabatware, Chief Prosecutor of the Mechanism, Serge Brammertz, gave the following statement:

My Office is satisfied that the Appeals Chamber accepted our arguments and rejected Augustin Ngirabatware’s attempt to secure reversal of his convictions for direct and public incitement to commit genocide and instigating and aiding and abetting genocide. The Appeals Chamber agreed with us that the alleged recantations by four witnesses were not credible or capable of belief.

I would like to take this opportunity to underscore my Office’s unwavering commitment to maintaining the integrity of proceedings conducted by the ICTR, ICTY and the Mechanism, and the facts established therein.

In particular, we will investigate and prosecute all those who interfere with ICTR, ICTY and Mechanism witnesses, as mandated by the UN Security Council and the Mechanism Statute. The Appeals Chamber today noted the considerable suspicion raised in this review proceeding based on my Office’s evidence that the recantations were influenced by financial incentives, as well as that the recantations may have been orchestrated by others. In that regard, my Office has issued an indictment against five accused for contempt of court in the case Prosecutor v. Turinabo et al., wherein we allege that the accused interfered with witnesses who had given evidence in Ngirabatware’s trial and in the related review proceeding that concluded today. Our investigations remain ongoing, and we look forward to the commencement of the trial.

All witnesses who appeared before the ICTR, ICTY or the Mechanism continue to enjoy the Mechanism’s protection. I urge any witness who is threatened, influenced or offered bribes in order to change their testimony to immediately contact the Mechanism’s Witness Support and Protection Unit or my Office.

Finally, I would like to thank the Government of Rwanda and the Prosecutor General for their continued cooperation and assistance.

Nazarbayev’s opening of the Eurasian Parliamentary Meeting in Kazakhstan

Editor
-
0
Nazarbayev’s opening of the Eurasian Parliamentary Meeting in Kazakhstan

In the picture Prime Minister Mark Rutte and First President of Kazakhstan Nur-Sultan Nazarbayev.

On September 23rd-24th, Kazakhstan hosted the 4thMeeting of Parliamentary Speakers of Eurasian countries in Nur-Sultan, where Diplomat Magazine was present on the ground. The conference started with an address by former President Nazarbayev, who praised his country’s achievements and voiced aspirations for a more integrated Eurasia.

The 4th Meeting of Parliamentary Speakers of Eurasian countries was a crowded one, hosting parliamentary delegations from around 65 countries in Europe and Asia, as well as representatives of 14 international parliamentary organizations. During the Meeting’s first day, the delegates were addressed by Mr. Nursultan Nazarbayev, former President of Kazakhstan (1990-2019), who after his resignation in March has been invested with the title of “Leader of the Nation.” 

Nur-Sultan IV Meeting of Speakers of Parliament of Eurasia. Sept 23 & 24 2019

During his address, Mr. Nazarbayev praised the results achieved by Kazakhstan since its independence in the early 1990s. “We have gone through severe crises and difficulties together with my people,” but “we set ourselves ambitious goals and achieved them” – the former President noted, highlighting Kazakhstan’s success in building a market economy from scratch, eventually becoming on of the 50 most developed countries in the world. In short, the Kazakh leader rejoiced, “we have something to be proud of.”

Mr. Nazarbayev also spoke about the current international situation. “Today the planet is again at a dangerous point” – he warned, citing issues such as the erosion of international law, the arbitrary application of sanctions, as well as the danger posed by weapons of mass destruction. In this regard, the former Kazakh President highlighted some proposals advanced by his country for enhancing cooperation among countries across the globe, and especially among world’s most powerful countries. International stability and security, he noted, “can only be achieved through dialogue and negotiations.”

Nur-Sultan city

Moving on to the Parliamentary Meeting itself, Mr. Nazarbayev welcomed the presence of such a high-level meeting in Kazakhstan, exactly 25 years after his first idea of Eurasian integration. He highlighted that Eurasian integration has the potential to be largest economic integration project of the 21stcentury, and he urged all countries to coordinate their efforts to contribute to their populations’ well-being. In this process, the role of national Parliaments and their members should be central – Mr. Nazarbayev said, advocating that “the voice of parliamentarians be heard louder and clearer.”

In the context of Eurasian integration, the former Kazakh President stressed the crucial role of his own country. Over the last years, Kazakhstan has established a new infrastructure framework, enhancing connectivity in not only in terms of transportation, but also in terms of energy, finance, and digitalization. Moreover, he noted that Kazakhstan sees Eurasia as “a platform for testing a fundamentally new partnership model,” aimed at devising joint, collective solutions to shared emerging challenges. In this spirit, the country enjoys good relations with all its neighbors, as well as with other countries present in the region – Mr. Nazarbayev noted with pride. 

To put in with a few words only, much is at stake with cooperation across Eurasia, and the Parliamentary Meeting is an important part of such cooperation. As former President Nazarbayev put it: “we are all interested in the effectiveness of this Meeting.”  

Diplomatic Corps in Germany tours Rhineland-Palatinate

Editor
-
0
Diplomatic Corps in Germany tours Rhineland-Palatinate

Foto: Reiner Voß / view – die agentur /Staatskanzlei RLP.

18-19 September 2019, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany: According to the established tradition, Germany’s Federal President Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier invited the corps diplomatique accredited to the Federal Republic of Germany to a jaunt meant to discover this time around the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate.

The German Head of State was joined by Rhineland-Palatinate’s head of government Premier Malu Dreyer, the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Archbishop Dr. Nikola Eterović as well as the chiefs of international organisations based in Germany. 

Nationalpark Hunsrück-Hochwald. Foto: Reiner Voß / view – die agentur /Staatskanzlei RLP

The top diplomatic delegation encompassed approximately 200 delegates were guided through Mainz, the Hunsrück mountain range and National Park as well as the Moselle vineyards, wherein the delegates were treated to wines and culinary specialities from the region. 

Guests based in Berlin where specially flown in to Rhineland-Palatinate on a Bundeswehr (Federal Armed Forces) aircraft. They particularly enjoyed the mild, luminous climate as well as the well-wishers that greeted them along their path.

Picture by HE Ambassador Datin Sarah Al Bakri Devadason.

Rhineland-Palatinate holds a population of 4,5 million inhabitants, being the seventh-most populous German state. Mainz is the state capital and largest city, while other major cities include Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Koblenz, Trier, Kaiserslautern, and Worms. The state borders France, Luxembourg and Belgium.

For further information 
Federal Presidency of Germany: http://www.bundespraesident.de/DE/Home/home_node.html#-gallery

2018 visit to the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen: https://diplomatmagazine.eu/2018/07/03/diplomatic-corps-to-germany-on-jaunt-to-bremen/
…

Bentley style alchemy

Editor
-
0
Bentley style alchemy

Monday, 16 September 2019, Moscow, Russian Federation:  Bentley introduced the all-new refined and dynamic Flying Spur to the on top of Tverskaya Residence, in room 100 – a momentous number for the brand’s anniversary year.

The quintessence of British style, an intriguing and mystifying atmosphere of “modern alchemy” and a captivating vista of Moscow centre awaited the guests who arrived for a private screening of the most immaculate and luxurious sports sedan.

A clandestine penthouse in the centre of the capital of Russia, a panoramic vista of the city – Moscow-City towers, the hotel “Ukraine”, Ostankino tower, the House of the Government, and the Kremlin, Flying Spur debuted in a habitual business environment of today’s metropolis.

Christian Schlick, Head of Bentley Russia, said as per statement below, “The all-new Flying Spur has been developed from scratch and will be assembled at the iconic Bentley factory in Crewe. Its name is the only legacy from the predecessor model. We are excited and confident that the Flying Spur will impress Russian customers. This luxurious and dynamic sports sedan is a touchstone of elegance and quality associated with Bentley for 100 years.”

The design development stages and the birth of a masterpiece, from the very first line to the very final details that build an exclusive image of Bentley Flying Spur, were displayed in room 100 as a unique sketch gallery centred. Unique installation of the Flying B is located in the lobby of the Residence. Developed in the centennial year, the Bentley mascot has acquired a new design that matches the new age style.


For further information 
https://www.bentleymotors.com/en.html

Full statement by Bentley: https://www.bentleymedia.com/en/newsitem/996-bentley-style-alchemy-exclusive-premiere-of-the-all-new-flying-spur-in-moscow

Picture by Bentley.

Over 3,000 people visit the ICC this Open Day

Editor
-
0
Over 3,000 people visit the ICC this Open Day

isitors pose questions to Court staff in Courtroom I’s Public Gallery at the ICC headquarters in The Hague (Netherlands), on The Hague International Day on Sunday, 22 September 2019 ©ICC-CPI

More than 3,000 people visited the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Sunday, 22 September 2019, when it opened its headquarters for The Hague International Day (Open Day). This was the biggest open day for the ICC yet, with 1000 more visitors than last year. Women, men and children of different ages and nationalities, including Dutch nationals and members of the international community based in The Hague, had the opportunity to learn more and be inspired by the Court and Trust Fund for Victims’ work.

Women, men and children of different ages and nationalities, including Dutch nationals and members of the international community based in The Hague, had the opportunity to learn more and be inspired by the Court and Trust Fund for Victims’ work.

Highlights this year included an interactive session with staff in the main ICC Courtroom, viewing of several artworks, insightful information on investigations and cases, as well as the work of the Trust Fund for Victims, an area featuring jobs, internships and visiting professional positions, and activities for children and youth, including “Planet Justice” augmented reality games about the ICC.    

This year the visitors also had the chance to explore a temporary art exhibit, “bogoro” comprising three art pieces by Franck Leibovici and Julien Seroussi. The works, which explore themes of witnesses and evidence in an ICC case, will remain on display at the seat of the Court until the end of the year. The exhibit is part of a larger collaborative project with the artists to bring art, sociology and multidisciplinary perspectives to the legal process.

The Hague International Day is organised on a yearly basis by the Municipality of The Hague – the Court’s host city – and gives the public the opportunity to learn more about the functioning and aims of the various international institutions and non-governmental organisations based in the city. The Hague has been hosting the ICC since 2002. The city and its surrounding area are now home to over 160 international organisations.

The ICC is the first permanent, treaty-based, international criminal court established to help end impunity for the perpetrators of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community, namely war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and the crime of aggression.

Suzhou Kunqu Opera by China

Editor
-
0
Suzhou Kunqu Opera by China

On a sunny September evening, an audience made up of Chinese and Dutch spectators filled up the enormous venue of Zuiderstrandtheater in The Hague’s Scheveningen.

The public gathered to see the classic Chinese opera Kunqu that was performed by one of the top opera artists from China, the Suzhou Kunqu Opera Theatre which was invited to The Hague by the embassy of China in The Netherlands. The theatre company has previously performed the opera in the UK, USA, Italy, as well as Greece, and has received great reviews in all countries.

H.E. Ambassador XU Hong with guests.

His Excellency Ambassador Dr. Hong Xu was the host to the Chinese Kunqu Opera Peony Pavilion performance (also called Kunqu opera) on the night of September 19th.

H.E. Ambassador’s guest of honor was the Mistress of the Robes, Baroness Bibi van Zuylen van Nijevelt, who was accompanied by her husband and His Excellency in the VIP salon of the Zuiderstrandtheater from which they enjoyed the spectacular evening show.

Kunqu Opera Peony Pavilion .

The performance is one of the oldest surviving types of traditional opera in China’s culture, and the team of professionals for this theatre spectacle travelled all the way from China to present the art of Kunqu in The Netherlands.

While the show itself was in Mandarin, the Dutch audience was enabled to follow the plot in English language that was displayed on two screens at the side. The Kunqu opera, which traditionally lasts nine hours, was shortened to a two-hour performance that perfectly filled the evening.

TGhe Mistress of the Robes, Baroness Bibi van Zuylen van Nijevelt with guests.

The evening show included not only a 20 minutes trial performance by the Chinese Suzhou Kunqu Opera Theatre, but also an act by the Dutch modern dance company Groundbreakers.

This served as the showcase of the connection and relationship between these two countries. What is more, the show stressed the importance of the cultural exchange between China and The Netherlands, as the acts included the aspects and traditional values of both cultures, such as family, love, and respect.

Bottega Veneta’s Spring 2020 collection

Editor
-
0
Bottega Veneta’s Spring 2020 collection

Thursday, 19 September 2019, Milano, Italy: Bottega Veneta presented its vibrant spring collection. In the words of the maison’s Creative Director Daniel Lee: “Spring 2020 evolves the codes we are building at Bottega Veneta. Our focus is on process and clarity; immediate and direct.”

This collection plays with proportion, soft structure cutting through tension and technique with a clean new ease. The balance of colour is calm, bold, rich and defined in black, chocolate brown, gold, tapioca, orange and tones of blue.

Jewellery befits the designs to disrupt the silhouettes, weaving through tactile surfaces. Classicism contrasts modernism with refined techniques: knot, weave and knit.

Materials are featured in their purest forms, i.g. wood, gold, lacquer, stone, leather, cotton and the body. Accessories resonate with the attitude of beauty and comfort.

For Daniel Lee Bottega Veneta embodies warmth, desire, joy and celebration. An elevated reality to live in for everyone with style. 

For further information:
https://www.bottegaveneta.com/de

Pictures by Bottega Veneta.

1...347348349...858Page 348 of 858