Musica Antica da Camera

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Musica Antica da Camera
Thursday 23 March 2017, 20:15, Lutherse Kerk The Hague
European Union Baroque Orchestra performs Bach and Händel
They receive universal acclaim for their your youthful energy and powerful performances. When the musicians of the European Union Baroque Orchestra appear on stage, the audience brings down the house and reviewers reach for superlatives.
 
The secret of their success? The ensemble has a new line-up every year. Only the best baroque musicians qualify to become a member. Dozens of aspiring musicians apply, but no more than 25 are selected. They work with the best conductors and soloists for many months and go on tour optimally prepared. This year the ensemble will be conducted by the renowned harpsichordist and conductor Lars Ulrik Mortensen. 
The programme fits the musicians like a glove. The soloist is the soprano Maria Keohane. In 2000 she won the Musica Antica Award during the Van Wassenaer Early Music Competition. She has every chance to shine in Händel’s solo cantata Tu fedel! Tu costante, a brilliant piece with which the composer, just 21, was able to win over the audience in Rome. It started his international career that brought him to London, where he could develop himself to one of the most acclaimed opera composers of his time. 25 Years after his early success in Rome, Covent Garden hosted the first performance of Händel’s opera Alcina. Maria Keohane will sing the aria Ombre pallide from this masterpiece. It was immensely popular in its time. Lars Ulrik Mortensen will take the limelight in Bach’s Harpsichord Concerto in A-major. The European Union Baroque Orchestra will finish their only concert in The Netherlands with Bach’s Weichet nur, betrübte Schatten, a sparkling wedding cantata and an ode to spring. Unsubscribe This concert is also the final event of the European Early Music Network (REMA). This year it takes place in The Hague. Musica Antica da Camera is one of the main organisers.
European Union Baroque Orchestra. 
Lars Ulrik Mortensen (conductor and harpsichord), Maria Keohane(soprano), Bojan Čičić (concert master and solo violin) and Neven Lesage(oboe).
 
George Friedrich Händel (1685-1759)
Concerto Grosso Op 6 no. 10 in d-minor, HWV328 – Cantata Tu fedel? Tu costante? HWV171a – Passacaglia in G-major HWV399 – Ah! Ruggiero: Ombre pallide from Alcina
 
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Harpsichord concerto in A-major, BWV1055 – Wedding cantata Weichet nur, betrübte Schatten, BWV202
 
Ticket sales: www.musantica.nl & 070 – 361 05 40.

The freedom lecture

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The freedom lecture
The seventeenth freedom lecture is being held by Palestinian Jamil al Qassas and Israeli Assaf Yacobovitz, both active within the movement Combatants for Peace. This organization was founded in 2006 by (former) Israeli soldiers and Palestinian combatants, who decided to lay down their arms and by means of nonviolent protest speak out against the occupation. Combatants for Peace cooperates towards a peaceful solution for both populations. The Combatants for Peace are nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize! What makes Combatants for Peace so exceptional is that in an extremely polarized and unequal environment, people dare to think across the boundaries of their own in-group. Compassion and empathy are not only key concepts for the organization, but in the case of the Israel-Palestine conflict, almost revolutionary. Despite the huge resistance within their own group and the political reality of violence on both sides, Combatants for Peace stays committed towards a peaceful solution, because they believe in a long term strategy where eventually our common humanity will triumph. In times of global polarization where different groups seem to live completely in their own reality and point out the other as the scapegoat, we are going to engage in a conversation between al Qassas and Yacobovitz about their radical belief in the strength of empathy. Jamil al Qassa was born as a Palestinian in the Deheisha refugee camp outside of Bethlehem. He participated in the first Intifada, an uprising where he was consecutively jailed for thirteen times and his brother was killed. He now lives in Deheisha with his wife and children, works in construction and is active in his local community, being part of The Parents Circle – Families Forum as well as Combatants for Peace. Assaf Yacobovitz served as an officer in the Israeli Airforce. He took part in Operation Cast Lead, which was part of the first Gaza War. After this experience, Assaf decided to join Combatants for Peace. He lives in Tel Aviv where he works as a psychologist. In these days of global polarisation, when different population groups seem to living in separate realities, always keen to point the finger at someone else, Janneke Stegeman joins al Qassas and Yacobovitz to discuss their radical belief in the power of empathy.  Janneke Stegeman is bible specialist and theologian of the year. After spending two years in Jerusalem carrying out research into religion and conflict, she became particularly interested in both the creative and the potentially destructive side of conflict.  Freedom Lecture at Het Nutshuis, The Hague. 28/03/2017 20.00hrs. Entrance is €10,- Click here for tickets This Freedom Lecture is in cooperation with Movies that Matter, Vfonds, Democratie en Media, Movies that Matter en De Balie.

Art More Than an Asset

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Art More Than an Asset

Convincing Craftmanship and Expertise at Tefaf Maastricht

By Shirley Cottaar. This year it was the 30th edition from Tefaf Maastricht where works of extraordinary provenance and quality took the lead. Almost 71.000 visitors out of 60 countries came to the world’s leading fine art and antique fair at the MECC (Maastricht Exhibition & Congress Centre) from 10-19 March 2017. Tefaf Maastricht provides an unrivalled marketplace for the world leading dealers and specialists to present the finest works available, covering 7,000 years of art history. Diplomate Magazine reports about some remarkable discoveries from the fair. Otto Jakob This master in jewellery from Karlsruhe surprises with stunning creations that are much more than jewellery. It is art. Especially if you consider that Otto Jakob is an autodidact. His creations are inspired by history or nature combined with smart engineering. Showing his bracelet ghost crab, Otto explains that already as a child he used all his senses observing the smallest details in nature and museums putting them in his memory. “When I was on holiday in California years ago with my family I found this ghost crab arm and I used it to develop this bracelet.” The bracelet is connected to gimbal joints, and a lock modelled as a crab claw. Xuanas, the design for this year’s Tefaf, are earrings with yellow gold casts of St. John Wort petal’s. “Beside the story behind the jewel, for me, it is essential that the jewel is completely round or as we say in the German language “rundum”. Not only the front of the jewel but also the sides and the back must be elaborated. That is my signature.” Special objects Eguiguren Arte de Hispanoamérica shows a very special collection of antique calabash gourds with a “Bombilla” made of silver. These gourds were used to drink Mate, a traditional drink in some countries in South America, especially in Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Brazil. Bernard de Grunne, leading tribal art dealer, shows a magnificent antique chief bell from Kongo at his stand. Hemmerle Another striking exhibition stand to mention is the fourth generation family-run jeweller Hemmerle in Munich. The Hemmerle family travel across the world treasure hunting for rare materials from colour changing garnets and melo pearls, to found materials like ancient carved jade and antique cameos. Each jewel is handcrafted and layered with cultural references; they are as original as a work of art with design aesthetic of powerfully audacious modernity. A single piece takes over 500 hours of work and years can pass waiting to find the perfect coloured stones to complete a piece. ——- Main picture: a Kongo Chief bell from Democratic Republic of Congo. Kongo, bell, 639. Alissa LaGamma et alli, Power and Majesty the Art of the Kongo Masters, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York,

LLiBRE VERMELL

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LLiBRE VERMELL
Strozzi Female Choir presents LLiBRE VERMELL de Montserrat
A journey through the magic world of the everyday religious life of the common people in the Middle Ages. There is little music from the 14th century such as the ​Llibre Vermell de Montserrat ​ ​ which so dramatically brings to life the everyday experience of pilgrims clustered around an open fire or marching cheerfully up the hill to the shrine to the Blessed Virgin. ​ Montserrat was the second most famous shrine in Spain after Santiago de Compostela and a popular focus for local adoration. This manuscript was written around 1400 and is made up of songs and dances written especially for the pilgrims visiting Montserrat. To make them appealing to the visitors the music and rhythm of the songs is often based on folk music of the time. It doesn’t take much to imagine the pious revellers enjoying a song and a dance. The ​Strozzi Female Choir ​ will perform the​ Llibre Vermell de Montserrat ​ in collaboration with soprano Mariana Pimenta, and musicians performing on historic instruments. During the concert musicians and audience will connect through the projection of paintings by ​Hieronymus Bosch ​ to reflect the spirit of every song and the fantastic world of the everyday religious life of the common people in the Middle Ages. ———- Wine tasting is available after concert. Sunday, 2 April 2017 16.00 15.30: door is open ​ Bleijenburg 3b, The Hague German Protestant Church

Diamonds; it’s all about carat colour, clarity & cut

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Diamonds; it’s all about carat colour, clarity & cut
Among the group we can see H.E. Mrs. Rosa Batoréu, Ambassador of Portugal, H.E. Mrs. Sabine Nölke, Ambassador of Canada, Mrs. Reem Mufleh, spouse of the Ambassador of Jordan, Mrs. Tatiana Delvalle spouse of the Ambassador of Panama, Mrs. Mrs. Midori Inomata, spouse of the Ambassador of Japan, Mrs. Maja Christina Steenwijk – Groot, Mr Joao Goncalves, Mrs. Nataliia Tymoshenko, spouse of the Ambassador of Ukraine, H.E. Mr Olexander Horin, Ambassador of Ukraine, H.E. Mr. Hiroshi Inomata, Ambassador of Japan, H.E. Mr. Adam M.J. Sadiq, Ambassador of Sri Lanka, Mrs. Mita Mukul, spouse of the Ambassador of India, Mrs Rusdijana Puja, spouse of the Ambassador of Indonesia, Mrs. Maryam Jahangiri, spouse of the Ambassador of Iran, Mrs. Fabiola Soto, spouse of the Ambassador of Mexico, H.E. Mrs. Martine L.A. van Loon Labouchere, Grand Mistress Honorair of H.M. King Willem Alexander and H.M. Queen Maxima, Mrs. Fanny Elena Arquelas Calle, spouse of the Ambassador of Bolivia, H.E. Konstantine Surguladze, Ambassador of Georgia and spouse Mrs. Nino Rusadze, Mrs. Najat Bellouki, spouse of the Ambassador of Morocco, Mrs. Linda Zin, spouse of the Ambassador of Malaysia, H.E. Alireza Jahangiri, Ambassador of Iran, H.E. Mr. Abdulaziz Abdullah Abohaimed, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia, Mrs. Nadine Farahat, spouse of the Ambassador of Egypt, Mr Roy Lie A Tjam, Diplomat Magazine and Mrs. Helen Keedwel, Shell.   By Roy Lie A Tjam. 15 March 2017, a momentous day, when the Dutch people were in suspense about results of the election, a select group of Diplomats, invited by Maja Christina Steenwijk – Groot, went on a trip to what might be the top Diamond polishing enterprises in the Netherlands, Gassan Diamonds. The visit began with a short introduction by the President and Director, Mr Benno Lesser who warmly welcomed the guests. He then followed on with an explanation of diamonds in general and then a description of the Gassan 121 cut; Gassan 121 cut is an exclusively cut Diamond, patented by Gassan Diamonds. It is a 0,22 carat stone, G colour and S.I. clarity. For additional pictures by Sheila Turabaz, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157678079322224
Mrs. Maja Christina Steenwijk – Groot, Mrs. Reem Mufleh, spouse of the Ambassador of Jordam and Mr Joao Goncalves, Marketing & Sales Manager at Gassan Diamonds.
This was followed by a guided tour that introduced the guests to the process by which diamonds are made, how they are mined and polished, and finally set in jewelry. The visitors were presented with the new collection of “Gassan Diamonds” and exclusive jewelry, competitively priced and beautifully designed. After the tour, Gassan Dimonds hosted a raffle in which a Gassan 121 cut was on offer. The lucky winner is Mrs. Reem Mufleh spouse of Ambassador of Jordan.The ‘sparkling’ visit was concluded with a champagne drinks reception and buffet lunch.
H.E. Mr. Abdulaziz Abdullah Abohaimed, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia and H.E. Mr. Hiroshi Inomata, Ambassador of Japan.
 

EC fines air cargo carriers €776 million

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EC fines air cargo carriers €776 million

Antitrust: Commission re-adopts decision and fines air cargo carriers €776 million for price-fixing cartel

Brussels, 17 March 2017- The European Commission has re-adopted a cartel decision against 11 air cargo carriers and imposed a fine totalling € 776 465 000 for operating a price–fixing cartel. The Commission’s original decision was annulled by the General Court on procedural grounds. Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said: “Millions of businesses depend on air cargo services, which carry more than 20% of all EU imports and nearly 30% of EU exports. Working together in a cartel rather than competing to offer better services to customers does not fly with the Commission. Today’s decision ensures that companies that were part of the air cargo cartel are sanctioned for their behaviour.” In November 2010, the Commission imposed fines of nearly €800 million on 11 air cargo carriers who participated in a price-fixing cartel, from December 1999 to February 2006, in the airfreight services market covering flights from, to and within the European Economic Area. The cartel arrangements consisted of numerous contacts between airlines, at both bilateral and multilateral level to fix the level of fuel and security surcharges. The companies fined in 2010 were Air Canada, Air France-KLM, British Airways, Cargolux, Cathay Pacific Airways, Japan Airlines, LAN Chile, Martinair, Qantas, SAS and Singapore Airlines. A 12th cartel member, Lufthansa, and its subsidiary, Swiss International Air Lines, received full immunity from fines. All but one of the companies (Qantas) subject to the 2010 decision challenged the decision before the EU’s General Court. In December 2015, the General Court annulled the Commission’s decision against the 11 cartel participants that appealed, concluding that there had been a procedural error. However, it did not rule on the existence of the cartel. The Commission maintains that these air cargo carriers participated in a price-fixing cartel and is adopting a new decision and re-establishing the fines. This new decision addresses the procedural error identified by the General Court while remaining identical in terms of the anticompetitive behaviours targeted by the Commission. The decision confirms that the Commission will not let cartels go unpunished. Cartels are illegal and cause consumers and business to suffer. The fines The fines were set on the basis of the Commission’s 2006 Guidelines on fines (see also MEMO). They were fixed at exactly the same level as in the 2010 Decision for all the companies, except for Martinair. In the 2010 decision, Martinair’s fine had been capped at 10% of the company’s total turnover in 2009. EU rules allow a maximum fine of 10% of the total turnover in the year preceding the adoption of the decision. Martinair’s turnover is significantly lower in 2016 than in 2009. As a result, Martinair’s fine has been lowered to reflect this. In the 2010 decision, Lufthansa, and its subsidiary Swiss International Air Lines, received full immunity under the Commission’s 2006 Leniency Notice, as it brought the cartel to the Commission’s attention and provided valuable information. Furthermore, the fines for the majority of carriers were also reduced for their cooperation with the Commission under the Leniency Notice.   The individual fines are as follows:
    Fine (€)* Reduction under the Leniency Notice
  Air Canada 21 037 500 15%
  Air France 182 920 000 20%
  KLM 127 160 000 20%
  Martinair 15 400 000 50%
  British Airways 104 040 000 10%
  Cargolux 79 900 000 15%
  Cathay Pacific Airways 57 120 000 20%
  Japan Airlines 35 700 000 25%
  LAN Chile 8 220 000 20%
  SAS 70 167 500 15%
  Singapore Airlines 74 800 000  
  Lufthansa 0 100%
  Swiss International Air Lines 0 100%
(*) Legal entities within the undertaking may be held jointly and severally liable for the whole or part of the fine imposed.  

Marc Rutte overwhelming victory

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Marc Rutte overwhelming victory
Prime Minister Mark Rutte visiting  Israel  in 2013 to launch bilateral cooperation forums.
Diplomat Magazine would like to warmly congratulate Primer Minister Mark Rutte for his overwhelming victory at yesterday’s election in the Netherlands.
Mark Rutte Chief of the Liberal-Conservative Government of the Netherlands, clearly won the elections after four years of economic recuperation in a more fragmented, populist and Eurosceptic scenario than ever. The result of his election is an inspiration for supporters of a prosperous and tolerant Europe.
Rutte (The Hague, 1967) was prime minister for the first time in October 2010, elected after the failure of the coalition between Liberals and Christian Democrats trying to approve an austerity budget in the midst of the economic crisis.
Always considered a soft, simple, affable, modest man and firm politician; insistent to carry out his political projects,  Rutte already made history by being the first Prime Minister of liberal governments in the Netherlands since the founding of his People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), in 1948. His serenity and ability to negotiate, his conciliatory attitude and good humour, have served him to weather difficult times, especially when he has been racked by his austere policies in the Netherlands and inside the EU as one of the main obstacles for Greece to received his first financial bailout.
One minute of silence has been observed by t Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Wednesday march 23 front of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium in The Hague.
Since then, he led a minority right-wing coalition, whose power of legislation depended on the support of the Freedom Party (PVV), led by populist and anti-Islamist Geert Wilders. Rutte’s government managed to approve an austere budget with the support of five parties – Liberal, Democrat, Democrats 66, Greens and Christian Union – but failed after Wilders’ refusal to back a series of spending cuts.
He was re-elected prime minister after the elections of October 2012, this time after a narrow victory in the general elections, which allowed him to lead a center-left coalition, with the support of the Labor Party.
Rutte, a former staff manager of the Dutch multinational Unilever (1992-1997) and his subsidiary Calvé (1997-2000), revived in the 2012 campaign the VVD, of which he remains leader and candidate for re-election as Prime Minister. In this last term has counted on 41 seats, of a total of 150, being the VVD the majority party in the Dutch Parliament. Since his arrival in power, Rutte has had to impose large spending cuts, which have cost him a barrage of criticism for the austerity measures demanded by Brussels.
Crises overcome
  • Rutte had to assert all his diplomatic skills to overcome a crisis between The Hague and Moscow, for the arrest and detention of a Russian diplomat by the police in The Hague following by the assault of the Dutch Deputy Head of Mission’s house in Moscow. Four centuries of diplomatic and commercial contacts were over for weeks them re-established.
  • Another crisis he managed on July 17, 2014, was caused by the crash of a plane of Malaysian Airlines going from Amsterdam to Kuala – Lumpur; flight MH17 with 298 passengers on board, of which 196 were Dutch and the rest mostly from Malaysia and other countries. The plane crashed in eastern Ukraine predictably reached by land- Air fired by pro-separatists.
  • The European Union (EU) association agreement with Ukraine, was rejected by 60% of the Dutch in a referendum held in April 2016.
Admired by countless, Rutte has been seen on his bicycle in the morning from his house to the Parliament, in The Hague, promoting the protection of the environment and giving an example of an austere politician in times of crisis. Rutte, who lives with her mother, combined his career at the University of Leiden with the leadership of the liberal movement. Son of a family of merchants, few details are known about his private life, beyond that he is single, pianist in his spare time, Professor of Politics and member of the Protestant Church of Holland.
Diplomat Magazine look forward to continuing our excellent working relations.
 

Czech Evening of Romantic Songs

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Czech Evening of Romantic Songs
Duo Karolina Janu (soprano) and Justyna Jarzab (piano). By Roy Lie A Tjam. The Embassy of the Czech Republic in collaboration with the Czech Centre in The Hague hosted an evening of romantic songs at the residence of H.E. Ms. Jana Reinisová, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the Netherlands on 7 March 2017. A highlight of the evening was the piano – soprano duo Karolina Janu (Czech, soprano) and Justyna Jarzab (Poland, piano). Both artists are holders of master degrees in their respective domains, obtained in Prague and Krakow respectively. Justyna currently works in Delft and Scheveningen. The ladies met some years ago while studying in Rotterdam.
Soprano Karolina Janu.
  A select group of ambassadors, diplomats, and members of the Czech community in the Netherlands enjoyed the evening, which featured classics including Chopin Mazurka op 24, bo,1.2, Martino 4 songs on Moravian folk poetry H.288 and L. Janacek: Zdravas Maria/Hail Mary H6252. A reception concluded the event.

Launching International Trade Diplomacy Business Club, ITDBC

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Launching International Trade Diplomacy Business Club, ITDBC
By Roy Lie A Tjam. The launching of the International Trade Diplomacy Business Club (ITDBC) took place at the Malietoren The Hague on 9 March 2017. The welcome remarks were delivered by Ms. Marion Verboom, the organisation’s first executive director. According to Verboom, the ITDBC is a new platform for trade diplomacy. She told attendees the second meeting will be in June 2017 and a visit will be organized to an agro farm. Mr. Hans de Boer, Chairman of VNO NCW MKB Nederland, then delivered an inaugural address. According to Mr. de Boer, the ITDBC has the potential to be a wonderful initiative, and has been a missing link in the Dutch international trade scene. An address was then delivered by Mr. Tjerk Opmeer, Deputy Director International Enterprise Department (DIO) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr Opmeer encouraged the audience to make good use of what ITDBC has to offer. He noted that the Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Ms. Lilianne Plumen has recently signed an agreement with MKB for the promotion of external trade. The International Trade Diplomacy Business Club is a network for doing business in The Netherlands. It enables trade diplomats to meet on a regular and informal basis, to share their experiences with fellow trade diplomats, acquire practical skills for international business and expand their knowledge of trade matters. Briefings will be organized on international trade issues and visits to relevant companies and institutions for doing business in The Netherlands. Many turn out to attend the launching ceremony. The program included a session of speed meeting with trade diplomats, and an interactive discussion on the outcome of the questionnaire by Suzanne van Tilburg, Senior Strategy Manager at Rabobank. An informal networking reception concluded the afternoon.  

ICC President meets with UN Secretary-General

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ICC President meets with UN Secretary-General
ICC President Judge Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres on 15 March 2017 in New York © UN Photo/Rick Bajornas.

ICC President meets with UN Secretary-General António Guterres in New York

Yesterday, 15 March 2017, the President of the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or “the Court”), Judge Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi, met with the Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), Mr António Guterres at the UN headquarters in New York. It was their first meeting since Mr Guterres was appointed as Secretary-General. During the meeting, President Fernández expressed the Court’s appreciation for the UN’s strong and principled support: “I want to thank you for the statements of support which you have made about the ICC and for the UN’s continuing cooperation on an operational level, which is essential to the effectiveness of the Court’s work.” Mr Guterres highlighted that two of the UN’s main goals, those of peace and justice, are directly linked to the work of the Court. He stated “both the Court and the United Nations strive to maintain international peace and security and to ensure that the rule of law prevails”. The two discussed key challenges faced by the ICC and responses to these, including recent efforts aimed at improving the efficiency of the Court. The Secretary-General and President Fernández agreed on the need for continued dialogue with States which have raised concerns as to the Court’s functioning. Practical matters to ensure continued cooperation in the field and UN support of ICC activities were also raised. The meeting was part of the ICC President’s mission to New York where she is meeting with senior UN officials and briefing the New York Working Group of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute on current developments at the Court. She also spoke at a seminar on international humanitarian law for diplomats accredited to the United Nations, organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the New York University School of Law. While the International Criminal Court is not a part of the United Nations, the two organisations cooperate with each other in accordance with a Relationship Agreement signed in 2004.  
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