The embassy of Poland celebrates this year the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Poland and the Kingdom of the Netherlands with an extensive program covering all aspects of the successful past and present collaboration between the two countries.
One of the greatest cultural events organised by the embassy was the
classical concert by the very young Polish pianist Tomasz Ritter, winner
of the International Chopin competition 2018 and the Arthur Rubinstein in
Memoriam international competition at the Piano Polish Festival last year. The
event was held at the premises of the Embassy of Poland in The Hague, on
Monday, March 4th. It was the first of the series of concerts related to 100 anniversary of
establishing diplomatic relations between Poland and the Netherlands.
Many guests attended the concert, including friends of Poland coming from different Dutch institutions, diplomats and ambassadors, notably the ambassadors of Germany, Australia, Peru and many others. H.E. Mr. dr Marcin Piotr Czepelak, Ambassador of Poland, proudly welcomed his guest and presented the talented pianist.
Polish pianist Tomasz Ritter. Photography by the Embassy of Poland in The Hague.
Tomasz Ritter was born in 1995 in Lublin, Poland. In 2008, he started his musical education at the Karol Szymanowski State School of Music in Warsaw, under the direction of Irina Rumianceva-Dabrowski, and concluded his path with a graduation with special honors.
From September 2014, he has been a student of the Pyotr Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow. He participated in festivals and concerts in Poland and abroad, performing with the Polish Radio Orchestra, Sinfonia Varsovia, Sinfonia Baltica, Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century, Martinů Quartet from Prague and Stradivari Quartet from Zurich.
The Ambassador of Poland, H.E. Mr. dr Marcin Piotr Czepelak and Erica Schouten – Director Department of European Affairs cutting the 100 Anniversary cake.
After the concert, ambassador Czepelak invited Ms. Erica Schouten, Director Department of European Affairs at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to cut with him the 100th Anniversary cake, a symbol of the solid diplomatic relations between the two countries and a wish for further collaboration in the next 100 years to come.
By H.E. Mr. George Sharvashidze, Ambassador of Georgia to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
It is my immense pleasure and privilege to represent my country in the
Kingdom of the Netherlands and to have the opportunity, but huge responsibility
at the same time, to facilitate further development of Georgia-Netherlands
relations.
I am delighted to note that cooperation between Georgia and the Netherlands is developing in the right direction. This cooperation is not limited only to the political, economic and cultural dimensions but includes wide range of priority areas such as jurisdiction, finances, environment, education, healthcare and other areas that have an outmost importance for my country.
The Netherlands appears to be among top investor countries for Georgia for last few years. Dutch support to my country focusses on improving the quality of life of Georgians in a tangible and visible manner. This support has facilitated implementation of projects related to reforms, civil society, strategic communications, economic development and education.
However, there is still a huge
untapped potential in Dutch-Georgian cooperation. I will try my best to ensure
that friendly and partnership relations between the two countries further
deepens in the years to come.
It should be highlighted that the Dutch Government has always supported Georgia’s European aspirations. The role of the Netherlands in reaching our main foreign policy objectives – becoming fully-fledged member of the EU and the NATO – is crucial.
The King of the Netherlands, His Majesty Willem Alexander and H.E. George Sharvashidze, Ambassador of Georgia during the ceremony of presentation of its credentials. Photography by Jeroen van der Meyde.
Georgia’s Western Path:
In 1999, the late Georgian Prime
Minister, Zurab Zhvania, concluded his milestone speech at the Council of
Europe with the following historically significant words: “I am Georgian,
therefore I am European”. That time it was very difficult to imagine that Georgia
would stand so close to the European family as it does today.
In fact, Georgia has always been a part of European civilization. All our cultural achievements belong to the European heritage. Moreover, historically we, as an ancient Christian nation, have contributed a lot to the development of this civilization. Though our western development was hampered for centuries due to multiple invasions and aggression, we have always been gazing towards Europe. Even today, when 20% of our territory is still under Russian occupation, I firmly state that our European integration as well as Euro-Atlantic aspirations are irreversible.
Since the day we regained our
independence in early 90s, Georgia has been aspiring to join – or rather
re-join – the European and Euro-Atlantic community of nations, with whom we
share the common history, culture and values. These aspirations, which were
defined by the resolute choice of the overwhelming majority of our people,
manifested in Georgia’s declared foreign policy goal of fully-fledged
integration into the NATO and the EU.
Georgia
is using all the existing mechanisms of cooperation to ensure more comprehensive
and transparent integration process with the EU. Today, five years after signing
the Association Agreement with the DCFTA, we enjoy a qualitatively new stage in
our partnership with the European Union. Trade has picked up with many items of
Georgian agriculture and other products finding their way to the European
market, as have people-to-people contacts. All this lays the solid groundwork
for further stages of Georgia’s European integration.
Apart
from concrete practical benefits, visa-free regime bears a tremendous symbolic
and political value for Georgia as it brings us even closer to the European
family and manifests EU’s strong political support to Georgia’s European path.
It is both – a result of Georgia’s extensive efforts and a well-deserved
response to the European choice of Georgian people. Due to those efforts,
Georgia has established itself as a leader in the region in terms of
consolidated democracy, human rights protection, rule of law, good governance,
transparency and economic reforms.
Every Georgian understands that European and Euro-Atlantic integration is a lengthy process full of challenges but huge opportunities at the same time and we are fully committed to continue our close cooperation with our western partners using all existing cooperation formats.
George Sharvashidze, Ambassador of Georgia presenting credentials to The King of the Netherlands also present during the ceremony the diplomatic personal of the embassy. Photography by Jeroen van der Meyde
10 Years Anniversary
of Eastern Partnership:
When we are talking about cooperation
formats, we should refer to the Eastern Partnership (EaP) foremost. This is
indeed a partnership for stronger economy, connectivity, stronger society and
governance. In the course of the past decade, the Partnership matured into an effective
political project, advancing the relations between the EU and Partners (Armenia,
Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine) to a new level.
Since its inception, all the
stakeholders – the EU, member states, EU institutions, governments and civil
societies of participating countries – have invested in and gained from the EaP
initiative. We have built differentiated bilateral partnerships with the EU and
developed a multilateral cooperation format. And this was done, based on
inclusiveness and differentiation. We believe that the firm and continuous
adherence to the differentiation and “more for more” principles is extremely
important to maintain the attractiveness of the EaP for all partner countries.
2019 marks the 10th anniversary
of the EaP providing an excellent opportunity to take stock of the past 10
years and focus on its future perspectives. The EU, its member states and
partner countries are organizing the whole range of events to celebrate the EaP
10th anniversary and Georgia will be part of these activities. One
of the events planned by Georgia is a traditional Batumi International
Conference (11-12 July, 2019) which this time will be fully dedicated to the
EaP. Along with high officials from EU, member and partner states, academia,
non-governmental sector and business representatives are invited to participate
in the Conference.
Georgia remains committed to
contributing to the success of the EaP, including through the effective
implementation of the milestones of 20 Deliverables for 2020. It is worth of
mentioning that the Dutch Government has always underlined the leading role of
Georgia in implementing the reforms envisaged by the EaP Program.
Georgia – a Reliable
Partner for the EU:
As we are talking about Georgia’s
further integration into the EU and our ambition to become its full-fledge
member, we should concentrate not only on the benefits my country will get out
of this process but also on mutual benefits. Through years, Georgia has proved
to be a reliable partner for the EU and its member states. Georgia
has a crucial importance and a huge potential as energy, transport and
logistical hub linking Asia with Europe. Being situated in the region bridging
the Caspian energy resources with the Black Sea provides Georgia with the
multitude of opportunities. That is why Georgia multiplies its efforts to play an
important role for the long-term diversification of energy supply of Europe and
promoting regional and international projects like Belt and Road,
Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, Anaklia Deep Sea Port, number of international
transit routes and corridors and many more.
Undoubtedly,
strong and united Europe has never been as vital as in today’s globalized world,
full of challenges. Only together, by common efforts, we are capable to
overcome all problems we face and Georgia is ready to continue be a trustworthy
partner for the Western institutions in the region.
The exhibition is a in fact a reconfiguration of the 2017 Paris show, Christian Dior: Couturier du Rêve held at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, with a different thematic journey, 60 percent new items as well as an original installation celebrating the affection that the Norman designer Dior profound held for England after his stay in the country to learn the language at the age of twenty-one.
Set up by fashion and textiles curator Oriole Cullen and set designer Nathalie Crinière, Designer of Dreams is the first fashion exhibition to be staged in the V&A’s new Amanda Levete-designed galleries, and the largest of its kind at the museum since Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty in 2015.
The narrative of the exhibition begins with Dior’s lifetime to subsequently move further from to the themes that inspired him. The extensive “Travels” section looks at the idea of cultural appreciation and what it means today; “The Garden” room is a sensory delight with paper wisteria, clematis, lily of the valley and Princess Margaret-roses cascading from the ceiling; and “Diorama” is a curiosity closet of colour-coded accessories, trinkets and 123 magazine covers from 1947 to the present day.
“The Ballroom” section: the all-out unabashed celebration of the glamour of Dior and the fantasy that’s contained within a ballroom. Displayed within the last section are the liquid-gold numbers Charlize Theron wore in the J’adore fragrance adverts during her 20 years as brand ambassador; the first dress Galliano designed at the helm of the house for Diana, Princess of Wales to wear in 1996; and other extravagant Galliano creations that took six people to mount and are a testament to the strength of the models that wore them.
Thurday, 28 February 2019, Marlborough House, London, UK: Mauritian citizen Dr Arjoon Suddhoo has been appointed as Deputy Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations by the incumbent VI Secretary-General, The Baroness Scotland of Asthal.
Thus far Dr Suddhoo has behind him a distinguished career as a scientist, in academia as well as in commerce. He was most recently Executive Director of the Mauritius Research Council, a role he combined with being chair of the board of Air Mauritius and chair of the Mauritius Renewable Energy Agency (MARENA).
Earlier in his career Dr Suddhoo was Head of Research and Planning at the Mauritius Tertiary Education Commission, and prior to that worked in research and development as a scientist for Rolls Royce Aerospace.
February 2019: Through Instagram, fashion designer Olivia Palermo unveiled her collaboration with Karl Lagerfeld‘s eponymous label, which ought to be launched in June, in spite of the latter designer’s demise.
Olivia Palermo is due to style pieces from the Fall/Winter 2019-2020 collection as well as co-creating five Karl x Olivia pieces in collaboration with Creative Director Virginie Viard.
Dubbed “Karl Lagerfeld Styled By Olivia Palermo“, the collection aims to interlace the signature Parisian pieces with the street style star’s New York influences. The collection will launch in June in boutiques as well as online shopping.
19 February 2019: Bremen opens a representation in the Golden City of Prague as a hub for harbour economics. An agreement was signed between the harbour management company Bremenports and the German-Czech Chamber of Industry and Commerce located in Prague.
Bremen’s Senator for Economics, Employment and Harbours, Martin Günthner, highlighted the fact that beside Austria, Czechia is an important economic partner for containers and the automobile industry. The representation will be managed by Bremenports to heed the interests of Bremen and Bremerhaven. However other companies in Bremen will be able to use its services to tap on the Czech market.
Whereas economic ties vis-à-vis Saxony or Hamburg are stagnating the ones towards Bremen are booming. In 2018 the Bremen-Czech foreign trade amounted grew by 14,6 percent and reached a record of 848,4 million Euro. In other words, more much more than the total Czech trade vis-à-vis Canada or the United Arab Emirates altogether. Much of the trade concerns the automobile industry, including parts for car manufacturing amounting to 35 percent of the total, the rest goes to clothing, metals, food industry and machines.
Bremenports General Manager Robert Howe spoke about the opportunity to intensify the lobbying in place as the city-state has certainly profited from its representation in Vienna.
24-25 February 2019, Sharm El-Sheikh, Arab Republic of Egypt: the first ever European Union – League of Arab States Summit took place bringing together 49 countries from the League of Arab States and the EU.
The President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, represented the European Union at the Summit, alongside the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, who also co-chaired with the Egyptian President, Field Marshall Abdel Fattah Al Sisi.
Leaders from the 28 EU Member States and the 21 countries of the League of Arab States, as well as the Secretary General of League of Arab States, were also invited. The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, Federica Mogherini, and Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn, also participated at the Summit.
The Leaders agreed upon a joint declaration, summarising the wide range of areas discussed as noted below.
Euro-Arab cooperation
In their discussions, the EU and the League of Arab States reaffirmed that stronger regional cooperation is the key to find common solutions to common challenges. They renewed their commitment to create new opportunities through a collaborative approach, by placing people, in particular women and youth, at the heart of joint work. Leaders recognised the important role played by civil society. Both sides also agreed to strengthen economic cooperation and committed to develop a concrete agenda especially in the fields of trade, energy, science, research, technology, tourism, agriculture and other mutually beneficial areas.
Global challenges
The EU and Arab Leaders expressed their commitment to multilateralism and to an international system based on international law. Greater cooperation between the EU, the League of Arab States, the United Nations and the African Union is crucial to tackle global challenges. They reiterated their full commitment to the universal 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
These principles should guide the work to tackle common challenges such as climate change, upholding international human rights law, irregular migration, smuggling and trafficking in human beings, protection and support to refugees and the fight against hatred and intolerance.
The Leaders also exchanged concerns on threats to peace and security such as terrorism and radicalisation. All these global challenges require concerted work in accordance with international law.
Regional issues
As outlined by the High Representative and Vice-President of the European Commission, Federica Mogherini, the Leaders had constructive, serious and thorough discussions on regional issues such as the Middle East Peace Process, recent developments in Syria, Libya and Yemen and reaffirmed their commitment to the UN-led processes and full support to the UN Special Envoys/ Representatives.
They reaffirmed their common positions on the Middle East Peace Process and reiterated commitment to reaching a two-state solution as the only realistic way of achieving a just, lasting and comprehensive peace. They also reaffirmed the need to support UNRWA and called for a fundamental change for the better in the Gaza strip. On Syria, they recalled that the only sustainable solution is a genuine political transition in line with the 2012 Geneva communique and agreed that their respective policy towards Syria shall be conducted in step with tangible progress towards a peaceful political settlement.
On Libya, they expressed their support for the UN efforts and the implementation of the Libyan Political Agreement on 2015 and called on all Libyans to engage in good faith in the UN-led efforts. On Yemen, the Leaders welcomed the Stockholm agreement and in particular the ceasefire on Hodeida and called for safe, rapid and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid.
For further information: Sharm El Sheikh Summit Declaration:
Friday, 22 February 2019, Free Hanseatic City of Bremen: For the 118th occasion, the Eastern Asia Association Bremen (OAV) arranged its traditional foundation feast held at Bremen City Hall under the patronage of the President and Governing Mayor of Bremen, Dr. Carsten Sieling, and in the attendance of the ambassadors of Australia, Lynette Wood, New Zealand, Rupert Holborow, Mongolia, Ganbat Bontoi Damba, Singapore, Laurence Bay, the Philippines’ Chargée d’affaires, Lillibeth Pono as well as the Nipponese Honorary Consul in Bremen.
They were flanked by the guests of honour Lucy Hugues Turnbull, 79th Mayor of Sidney accompanied by her spouse, The Hon Malcolm Turnbull, 29th Prime Minister of Australia, and Dr. Holger Bingmann, President of the Federal Association of Wholesale and Foreign Trade.
This year’s chief foreign guest was Lucy Hugues Turnbull, Chief Commissioner of the Greater Sydney Commision and formerly Lord Mayor of Sidney. She held an allocution as an expert on the technological development of urbane regions. ´The German speaker was Dr. Holger Bingmann and Mayor Dr. Sieling who highlighted the the relevance for Bremen-Bremerhaven to constantly exchange trade and views with partners of the Asia-Pacific region to promote the well-being of peoples and companies.
The soirée’s organiser is the Ostasiatischer Verein Bremen (Eastern Asian Association Bremen) which was founded in 1901 to serve as a meeting point for merchants, captains and lay people with ties to Asia. Since 1951 the gala is held in Upper Hall of Bremen’s City Hall.
Coronet and case Queen Victoria’s sapphire and diamond coronet, designed by Prince Albert, made by Joseph Kitching, London.
April 11th 2019 shall be thus far for the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) to reopen the doors of its jewellery gallery rebranded as “The William and Judith Bollinger Gallery” since 2008.
More than 80 new items, including Queen Victoria’s sapphire coronet shall be on display.
Amongst the museum’s most popular galleries, more than 4,2 million people have visited the William and Judith Bollinger Gallery’s treasure trove of historic and contemporary jewels. In itself the gallery charts the history of jewellery from Ancient Greece through to the present, featuring pieces once worn by a host of powerful women including Queen Elizabeth I, Catherine the Great or Beyoncé, who gifted herGlenn Spiro Papillon ring to the museum last year.
Princess Mary, Viscountess Lascelles. Photography by Speaight, Ltd., London. About 1922 – Image by V&A Museum
The unveiling of the coronet, one of Victoria’s most important jewels, shall kick off a year of bicentenary celebrations by the museum to mark the 200th bicentennial of Queen Victoria and Prince Consort Albert, the royal couple from whom it takes its name. Prince Albert designed the piece for Victoria in 1840, the year of their marriage.
Created by her jeweller Joseph Kitching, the young queen wore the newly completed coronet in a 1842 portrait by Franz Xaver Winterhalter. The latter painting subsequently became the image of Victoria throughout the world through replicas and engravings. This coronet eventually passed out of the royal family and into private hands during the 20th century. It was saved from export in 2017 when the V&A acquired it through the generosity of benefactors William and Judith Bollinger as well as their their sons.
Brooch
Brooch, gold and iron, designed and made by Annamaria Zanella, Italy, 1997
Annamaria Zanella (1966-)
Italy
1997
The newly refurbished gallery, which is closed until it reopens on 11 April, marks the first time it will go on permanent public display.
The space will also now benefit from an outstanding collection of 49 Art Deco vanity cases, a loan and promised gift from Kashmira Bulsara, sister to the late singerFreddy Mercury. Most of the cases are intricate oeuvres created by Cartier, Laclocheand Van Cleef & Arpels, in gold and platinum setting together a riot of coloured fine stones and enamels.
