“Hybrids” exhibition in Dubai

0
Ayyam Gallery Dubai (11 Alserkal Avenue) is pleased to present Hybrids, a solo exhibition by Rashid Al Khalifa.  Hybrids will present a selection of wall-mounted installations from six different series from 2010 to 2017. Over the past four decades, Rashid Al Khalifa has continuously explored the nature of experientiality of art whilst asserting the importance of its context over art for art’s sake. Rashid has experimented with a multitude of painting styles, including Realism, Impressionism, and Individualism. Over the past decade, he has turned to Abstraction and Colour Field. In his recent works, Rashid maintains a focus on the aesthetics of what postmodernists identify as re-contextualisation of an art genre. Investigating varying articulations of seriality within his oeuvre, as well as geometry, surface, and colour, the artist creates simple yet deeply resonant works. Rashid’s installations are ‘hybrids’ of painting and sculpture, where he increasingly experiments with three-dimensionality using aluminum, stainless steel, and other mediums. With the circle serving as a starting point in many of his works, it evolves to become a circular hole in the convex aluminium surface, adding another spatial dimension to his work. In his 120 x 120 cm untitled work from his Into a Different Dimension series, Rashid creates a perfectly circular hole in the middle of the convex square-shaped aluminium, painting the background with blues. The reflective surface draws the viewer in, creating the basis of an intimate relationship with the work. In the 2015 Shape of Time series, Rashid continues to present variations on the circle and the square. In this series, the artist creates folds with detached sections of the circles, highlighting fragile connections between the shapes. Through these works, the artist presents the viewer with a challenge of entering into a relationship with each piece through a deep understanding of the quiet authority of these works. Through his research and his three-dimensional works – with seemingly limitless permutations of simple geometric forms – Rashid explores the phenomenological relationship between work, viewer, and architecture. The opening reception was attended by the President of Zayed University, and first female minister of the UAE, HE Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, by the President of Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, HE Sheikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, HE Sheikha Sarah bint Hussein Al Muallaof Umm Al Quwain, by world-renowned curator, Éva McGaw, British busineswoman and shareholder of Bahamas Port Authority, Caroline St.George,Baron Henri Estramant, Managing Director of Royal Bridges and Adviser for Diplomat Magazine. About the Artist: Beginning his career in the late 1960s, Rashid Al Khalifa has exhibited in Bahrain and internationally. He presented his seminal quasi-kinetic works in a solo exhibition at the Middle East Institute in Washington DC in 1982. In 2010, a large-scale retrospective exhibition entitled Convex: A New Perspective was held at the Bahrain National Museum. Rashid Al Khalifa was the first president of the Bahrain Arts Society and currently holds the title of Honorary President. He has participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions internationally. Solo exhibitions include Shuman Arts Organisation, Amman, Jordan (1997), De Caliet Gallery, Milan, Italy, and El Kato Kayyel Gallery, Milan (1996). His work as also been featured in group exhibitions such as La Biennale di Venezia, Venice, Italy (2017 and 2015), Third Mediterranean Biennale, Sakhnin Valley (2017), Bahrain Arts Society, Manama, Bahrain (2016), TRIO Bienal, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2015), Issoudin Museum, Issoudin, France (2015), Galerie Gmurzynska, Art Basel Miami Beach (2010) Bahrain National Musuem, Manama (2002), Taipei Art Exhibition, Tapei, Taiwan (1999), Sharjah Biennial, Sharjah, UAE (1999), and Art America Exhibition, Miami, USA (1997).   About Ayyam Gallery: Founded in 2006, Ayyam Gallery is a leading arts organisation that manages the careers of diverse established and emerging artists. Blue-chip art spaces in Beirut and Dubai, a series of collaborative projects in the United States, Europe, and Asia, and a multinational non-profit arts programme have furthered the gallery’s mandate of expanding the parameters of international art. With its widely respected multilingual publishing division and a custodianship programme that manages the estates of pioneering artists, Ayyam Gallery has also contributed to recent efforts that document under-represented facets of global art history.   Exhibition Facts:
  • Exhibition Dates: 20 January – 10 March 2018
  • Regular Hours: Sun – Thu: 10.00 am to 6.00 pm, Sat 12.00 to 6.00 pm
  • Location: Ayyam Gallery Dubai (11 Alserkal Avenue), Al Quoz 1, Dubai
  • T: +971 4 4392395
  • E-mail: dubai@ayyamgallery.com
For further information: Ayyam Gallery, Serkal Avenue, Al Qouz, Dubai: http://www.ayyamgallery.com/exhibitions/rashid-al-khalifa Rashid Al Khalifa: https://rashidalkhalifa.me —————– Pictures by Ayyam Gallery 

The Year of the Dog, Chinese New Year in The Hague

0

By Joe Ray.

Mid-February is always a lively period in the Dutch social calendar, as the country’s large expatriate community marks the passage of Chinese New Year and looks ahead to what the coming twelve months may bring.

A highlight for many in The Hague is the annual celebration hosted by the Hong Kong Netherlands Chamber of Commerce together with the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Brussels.

On 7 February 2018 the historic Societeit de Witte in The Hague was once again the venue for an entertaining evening of music, food and networking. For additional Robert Huiberts’ pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157664027078637
Ms. Shirley Lamb, Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the EU.

Guests were welcomed by Ms. Shirley Lamb, Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the EU, who highlighted the close relationship between Hong Kong and the Netherlands and looked ahead to some of the many economic opportunities that the new year will bring.

These include an increased level of participation by Hong Kong in China’s Belt and Road Initiative and several major regional development projects involving Dutch and other overseas companies. Ms Lamb noted that Hong Kong’s focus on technology has led to the publication of the first Smart City Blueprint – an outline for the future which promotes high-tech innovation as a means of creating a cleaner, safer, more efficient and more prosperous city.

The audience was then addressed by Mr Hans Poulis, Chair of the Netherlands Hong Kong Business Association, and Mr George Ammerlaan, Chair of the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in the Netherlands.

Both praised the strong business ties between Hong Kong and the Netherlands and remarked on some of the key trends in the already strong bilateral relationship.
Fiona Foo Pui-yee.

After toasting the forthcoming Year of the Dog, guests were treated to a remarkable marimba performance by Fiona Foo Pui-yee, one of the world’s leading marimba soloists. The marimba is a percussion instrument consisting of a set of wooden bars struck with mallets to produce musical tones. Resonators suspended underneath the bars amplify their sound.

Ms Pui-yee’s performance was as novel as it was energetic; for many in the room this was their first experience of marimba music, and it left a lasting impression.

The performance culminated in a lively rendition of ‘Shall We Dance’, an innovative piece written by Ms. Pui-yee featuring a remarkable 8-mallet grip.

After the performance, the event was concluded with a buffet and networking reception.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary unveils mother language monument plaque

0

Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh Mr. Shahidut Haque.

By Roy Lie Atjam. The Hague, a good number of Bengali speaking individuals, government officials and friends witness a plaque unveiling ceremony in connection with the construction of the mother language monument on 19 February 2018. Among them were Mr. Rene Baron, Director of the Eskam’s city district, Diplomat Mr. Iqbal Ahmed, Mr. Rabin Baldewsingh  Deputy Mayor of The Hague, diplomat medias, members of the Bangladesh diaspora and others.
Mother Language Monument’s plaque by Bangladesh.
The green light for the construction of the monument, unfortunately, came too late for the 2018 Mother Language Day celebrations. Nevertheless, the Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh Mr. Shahidul Haque graced the historic event with his presence.
The unveiling of the plaque is, by all means, a prelude to the inauguration of the long-awaited mother language monument. For years several individuals and institutions have invested time and energy to achieve the establishment of the monument. Records proof negotiations go back as far as 2010. International cities like London and Sydney already have such a monument.
Bangladeshi, particularly those in the Netherlands have ample reason to proud themselves of and celebrate, for it is with their strength, might yes even their blood the Bengali speaking people fought to keep their mother tongue.
H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Belal, Ambassador of Bangladesh. Behind Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh Mr. Shahidul Haque, Deputy Mayor Rabin Baldewsingh and Dr Dilruba Nasrin, spouse of the Ambassador of Bangladesh.
After speeches by H.E. Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal, Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh Shahidul Haque unveiled the plaque along with Mr. Baldewsingh; Patriotic songs such as Amar bhai ErRokteRangano by Abdul Gaffar and martyr Altaf Mahmud added to the pleasant and joyous atmosphere.
The prospect of having a Mother Language’s monument in the Netherlands soon is like a jewel in the crown of H.E. Ambassador Sheikh Belal’s tenure. He has played a stellar role in the establishment of it. Evidently, his all-out efforts have not been in vain. Belal thanked all those who came out to the Zuiderpark on the breezy winter morning to witness the indelible moment. Both Ambassador Sheikh Belal and Foreign Secretary Shahidut Haque praised the father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for leading the nation towards freedom.

H.E. Mr. Abdel Sattar Issa, Ambassador of Lebanon

0

By Roy Lie Atjam.

An interesting phenomenon has been taking place over the past months, its the coming and going of many Ambassadors.

One of the newly arrived is the Ambassador of Lebanon.

With a new government in place, Lebanon has assigned an Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. H.E. Mr. Abdel Sattar Issa is the new Ambassador for Lebanon to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. He has assumed his position in February 2018. Ambassador Issa is fluent in Arabic, French and English.

Abdel Sattar Issa is a holder of a Bachelor Degree in Law(Lebanon) and a Master degree in Public and Private International Law, Nice Sophia Antipolis University.

Ambassador Issa is no novice to the diplomatic world, from, 2013-2018, he served as Lebanon’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

From 1996-1999, Counsellor at the Embassy of Lebanon in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

From 1999-2000 he was the   First Secretary at the Lebanese Permanent Mission to the United Nations, Geneva-Switzerland. Further, from 2002-2012 Consul-General of Lebanon in Marseille-France. From 2012-2017 Dean of the Consular Corps in Marseille.

Mr. Abdel Sattar Issa has been a member of Lebanese delegations to various international conference and seminars. His hobbies are reading, swimming, skin diving and Yoga.

We wish H.E. Mr. Abdel Sattar Issa a pleasant tenure in the Netherlands.

Planning to rent a short- or long term house in the Netherlands?

0
Wanting to know more about the legal, financial, tax and practical matters of renting a home in the Netherlands? Or are you just interested in a social networking drink? Then is the event for you! Tap & Talk TAP & TALK is a free social networking event hosted by the Dutch relocation company: The two owners decided that it’s time to bring a dynamic group of housing-experts and expats together to share knowledge and to have a good time! The event will take place in what we might call the new hotspot in town: Anna’s Bar! This cool place is located next to The Hague Central station. This makes it very easy to reach by public transportation, bike or by car (5 min walk from the several nearby garages). What can you expect? Our experts will share their expertise with short housing pitches followed by Q&A sessions. All attendees will have plenty of time for one-to-one interaction with the speakers afterwards. The event starts at 18.00, come in, have a drink and interact with other participants. The speaking program starts at 18.30 and will last till 20.00. Registration Registration is completely free of charge and offers professional pitches, two welcome drinks and the possibility of one-to-one interaction with the speakers and other participants. Note that even though this is a free event, is required. Register here: alice@dutchify.net See you there!

Fatou Bensouda at the Munich Security Conference

0

ICC Prosecutor, Mrs Fatou Bensouda, participated in the 54th edition of the Munich Security Conference:“Accountability for Rome Statute crimes is an essential component of promoting human security”.

The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (“ICC”), Mrs Fatou Bensouda, participated in the 54th Munich Security Conference (“MSC”) held in Munich, Germany from the 16th to the 18th of February.

Chaired by H.E. the Ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger, the conference once again brought together world leaders and policy makers from around the globe to debate the state of international security and related challenges. The MSC, the world’s leading platform for debates on international security, is attended by Heads of States, Governments and international organisations; Ministers; high-ranking members of the Armed Forces; and representatives of business, science, civil society and the media.

The Prosecutor’s participation highlights the important role that the ICC, as a first permanent independent international criminal jurisdiction, plays and the contribution it can make to international security through the exercise of its mandate under the Rome Statute.

“As we approach the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Rome Statute, we must recall that atrocity crimes threaten the peace, security and well-being of the world.  It is therefore critical that in global security discussions, this recognition is increasingly mainstreamed”, said Prosecutor Bensouda. “Full support for the investigation and prosecution of atrocity crimes at the domestic and international levels is necessary if we hope to curb the devastating impact of conflict on civilian lives.  Accountability for Rome Statute crimes is an essential component of promoting human security.”

In the margins of the conference, at the invitation of Ms Helle Thorning-Schmidt, CEO of Save the Children, and former Prime Minister of Denmark, the Prosecutor participated on a panel discussion exploring how to better protect children in armed conflict.  She highlighted her Office’s work aimed at protecting the rights of children within the Rome Statute legal framework through the investigation and prosecution of crimes against and affecting children, as well as the Office’s Policy on Children adopted in 2016.

The Prosecutor called for collective action to protect children in times of conflict.  “There should be no place for children in war. Their voices and stories of unspeakable abuses must not go unheard, and the law must respond to their plight in a manner that has their best interests foremost in mind.  If we fail them, we have not only failed our humanity but also abdicated our obligation to secure our ever-interconnected future”, she stated.

This year’s Conference also presented Prosecutor Bensouda the opportunity to hold a number of productive bilateral meetings with senior officials from States, regional and international organizations as well as civil society to advance the work of her Office.

The Prosecutor met, among others, with H.E. Mr. Paul Kagame, Chairperson of the African Union and President of Rwanda; H.E. Mr. Giorgi Kvirikashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia; H.E. Ms. Aurelia C.K. Frick, Foreign Minister of Liechtenstein; H.E. Mr.  Miroslav Lajčák, President of the UN General Assembly (72nd session); H.E. Mr. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission; H.E. Mr. Thomas Greminger, Secretary General of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe; Prof. Ghassan SalamĂ©, Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya; and Mr. Kenneth Roth, Executive Director of Human Rights Watch.

Berlin’s mayor received in The Netherlands

0
King Willem Alexander of the Netherlands and Mayor of Berlin, Michael MĂŒller – Picture by ANP, Olaf Kraak. Monday, 5 February 2018, The Hague: In his capacity as President of the German Federal Council (Bundesrat), which represents the sixteen BundeslĂ€nder, His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands welcomed the incumbent Michael MĂŒller, Mayor of Berlin, for an audience at Noordeinde Palace as it has become a tradition.   Dutch Premier Mark Rutte also received Michael MĂŒller later in the afternoon after the royal encounter. Mayor MĂŒller likewise had the opportunity to meet his counterpart, Acting Mayor of Amsterdam, Jozias van Aartsen, as well as members of the Dutch business community. Since the year 2000 it has become a tradition that the rotating President of the Bundesrat pays a visite de courtoise to The Netherlands. For the Dutch, Germany is the largest trading partner within the EU as well as the most active NATO partner. For further information: BundesratsprĂ€sident: https://www.bundesrat.de/DE/bundesrat/praesidium/praesident/praesident-node.html Embassy of the Netherlands to Germany (HE Ambassador Wepke Kingma): https://www.niederlandeweltweit.nl/laender/deutschland/ueber-uns/niederlandische-botschaft-berlin-wer-sind-wir

Aarhus 2018 year of volunteers opened 

0
Crown Princess Mary of Denmark – Picture by VisitCopenhagen through Wikipedia Commons.
21 January 2018, Aarhus, Kingdom of Denmark: Mayor of Aarhus, Jacob Bundsgaard, and Her Royal Highness The Crown Princess of Denmark, Countess of Monpezat, opened the “Aarhus 2018 – European Volunteering Capital” at Aarhus City Hall.
The title as European Volunteering Capital goes yearly to a European city or town, which has been particularly noted by promoting volunteering amongst its citizens. Celebrations are held to highlight the importance of volunteering in civil society but likewise to thank and show appreciation for the volunteers.
For further information:
https://www.aarhus.dk/~/media/Dokumenter/Sundhed-og-Omsorg/PDF/Faelles-indgang-frivilligt/folder-om-frivillighed-i-Aarhus-engelsk.pdf http://kongehuset.dk/hkh-kronprinsessens-tale-ved-aabningen-af-aarhus-2018-europaeisk-frivillighovedstad

Hong Kong ranked the world’s freest economy 

0
CE Carrie Lam and Dr Edwin Feulner, Founder of the Heritage Foundation’s Index of Economic Freedom Report – Picture by Government of Hong Kong. The 2018 Index of Economic Freedom Report, released by the Heritage Foundation located in Washington D.C. on 2 February 2018 ranked Hong Kong as the world’s freest economy, indeed for the 24th consecutive year. Hong Kong’s overall score of 90.2 is well above the global average of 61.1 across the 180 economies surveyed. Hong Kong achieved high ratings in eight of the 12 criteria measured. The city received top scores in Fiscal Health, Business Freedom, Trade Freedom and Financial Freedom. The foundation likewise recognised the high quality of Hong Kong’s legal framework, low corruption, high degree of government transparency, efficient regulatory framework and openness to global commerce. For further information: https://www.heritage.org/index/ http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201802/02/P2018020200484.htm?fontSize=1 Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, European Union, Brussels (Director Shirley Lam): www.hongkong-eu.org HK Representative Office in Germany (Director Betty Ho): http://www.hketoberlin.gov.hk

Imperial poetry translated to German 

0
Empress Michiko – Picture by State Department photo by William Ng. Her Imperial Majesty The Empress of Japan has written 50 waka poems for a book of her own poetry that was recently published in Germany The Empress wrote poetry following the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, and when the German publishing house Herder learned of their existence, they approached the Imperial Household Agency in case the Empress would consider publishing them. The book, entitled “Nur eine kleine Maulbeere. Aber sie wog schwer” (English: “Just a little mulberry, but it weighs heavily”), was published in January 2018, and launched at the Nipponse Embassy in Germany on Tuesday, 16 January, by H.E. Ambassador Takeshi Yagi in the framework of a lecture by Prof. Dr Peter Pantzer of the Bonn University, Faculty of Japanology. The poems were translated into German, but the book contains the original Japanese text written out by a professional calligrapher named Hakko Ishitobi. The book also contains an explanation for each poem. One of the poems is entitled “Kono Toshi no Haru” (English: This Spring), about the aftermath of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. In Japanese it reads: “Kusamura ni/ Shiroki juji no/ Hana sakite/ Tsuminaku hitono/ Shinishi Haru yuku.” The Imperial Household provided an English translation, which reads: “White cross-shaped flowers/ Blooming amid the dense grass/ Signalling the end/ Of spring when we mourn the loss/ The death of the guiltless.” Waka poetry is a form of traditional Japanese poetry, and was so named to differentiate between Japanese poetry and Chinese poetry in ancient times. There are several types of waka poetry, including chƍka, which is long form, and sedƍka, also known as “head repeated poetry”. Empress Michiko has written waka poetry on several occasions and presented them to the public. At the New Year Poetry Reading Ceremony this past January in the Imperial Palace, she recited a poem she wrote about her husband, Emperor Akihito’s upcoming abdication, the English translation reading: “On your shoulders/ Pours the early spring sunlight/ Softly and gently/ O, such a heavy burden/ You bore, saying so little.” For further information: Imperial Household Agency: http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-culture/utakai-h30.html Embassy of Japan to Germany (HE Ambassador Takeshi Yagi): http://www.de.emb-japan.go.jp ——————– Empress Michiko – Picture by State Department photo by William Ng, Public domain through Wikipedia Commons