The beautiful ones are not yet born.By John Dunkelgrün.At the Victor Laurentius Gallery in the main square of the New Babylon Shopping Center, you’ll find a small but remarkable exposition: “Broadening Horizons: Perspectives on Departure” by the artistic couple Anna Kurtycz and RUDEK.The exposition was opened by Ms. Mette Gonggrijp, Director of the Sub-Saharan Africa desk at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs., who emphasised the importance of art as a medium of communication.Anna Kurtycz (Mexico 1970) is a master woodcutter who has ventured successfully into engraving, photography, video installations and street art. She likes scenes from daily life, especially how people interact in crowds. RUDEK (The Netherlands 1975) is an artist who likes to focus on the individuals in a crowd. The tension between the individual and the masses is where their common work touches.RUDEK is a diplomat in the Dutch Foreign Service and the couple has spent seven years in Africa, in Ghana and Benin. In both places Anna set up her studio, not just to work herself, but to interact with local population (children and adults) with whom she organised art classes and art activities. She also participated with her studio several times in Ghana’s main street Art Festival. In all the cases the interaction with local population was a great source of inspiration, not just for her, but for everyone around her. The work they made in Africa was directed by social issues, women, the tension between races, corruption and migration. It is this last issue that was the start of the current exposition, looking at migration not from the outside in seeing victims, but from the inside out. They look at individuals, strong people who gathered the courage and had the strength to leave a place without future in search for a new world, where they could live and bring up a family in peace and security.You will find portraits of strong women, the imaginary wall these migrants have to scale and a busy port. Anna discovered that, during the migration of ancient Aztecs from Aztlán (Northwest of Mexico) to Tenochtitlan (Todays Mexico City), they were confronted to a similar situation that migrants face today while going to USA. She used the same iconography of Aztec codex to describe today’s problem. Plus que ça change …Don’t miss this exposition UNTIL NOVEMBER 4th. Open weekdays from 10.00 ~ 19.00, Saturday 10.00 to 18.00, Sunday 10.00 to 17.00.
On the picture Judge Olga Herrera Carbuccia. Photography by Kim Vermaat.
On October 21, 2016, Trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or “the Court”) approved and ordered to start the implementation of a plan submitted by the Trust Fund for Victims (“TFV”) for symbolic collective reparations for the victims in relation with the case of Thomas Lubanga Dyilo.
Mr Lubanga was found guilty of the war crimes of the enlistment and conscription of children under the age of 15 in Ituri, Democratic Republic of the Congo. The TFV was ordered to file a report every three months.
The Chamber agreed with the TFV that the implementation of symbolic reparations “paves the way for the social acceptance of reparations awards in the affected communities”. The Chamber will issue its decision on collective reparations programmes, which are not of symbolic nature, in due course.
Trial Chamber II, composed of Judges Marc Perrin de Brichambaut, Presiding Judge, Olga Herrera Carbuccia, and Péter Kovács, considered the views presented by the different participants during the hearings conducted on 11 and 13 October 2016, carefully studied the TFV filing of 19 September 2016, and concurred with the TFV that the proposed symbolic reparations project “provide for an enabling environment to develop and implement service-based collective reparations awards” and “creates a safe environment for victims to come forward and voluntarily participate in the service-based collective awards without undue fear for their safety or reputation”.
The Chamber also expressed its wishes to turn the TFV’s attention to study the possibility of expanding its project beyond the five proposed localities referred to in paragraph 39 of its 19 September 2016 Filing, in order to cover, to the extent possible, the Ituri region.
On the picture H.E. Ambassador Mpeo Limpho Mahase-Moiloa.By the Mission of the Kingdom of Lesotho in Brussels, accredited to EU, OPCW, ACP Group and the Benelux countries.
Castle of Wittenburg, Wassenaar, Tuesday, 4 October 2016: The Lesotho Mission seized the Golden Jubilee Celebration of the kingdom’s independence as an opportunity to share the history, developments, investment opportunities, tourism attraction features as well as challenges that the Government of His Majesty King Letsie III, is committed to tackling for the betterment of the Basotho, with more than fifty associations of the Netherlands business community, dignitaries from embassies and governmental institutions.
History
The Basotho is a nation founded by Paramount Chief Moshoeshoe I, in the 19th Century. The Great King with a legacy of being a charismatic leader and a true diplomat of his time.
He spared the lives of the Cannibals who had eaten his grandfather.
He would send a herd of well-fed cattle to his attackers after defeating them in the many battles he fought. This he did to create peaceful relations with his neighbors.
He sought protection from the British resulting in Lesotho bearing a Protectorate Status as opposed to being a Colony.
The Distinct and Unique Features of This Beautiful Kingdom in the Sky
It is one of the three enclaved states in the world.
It has the highest low point above sea-level, 1400m.
Thabana-Ntlenyana, 3,482m elevation is the highest point in Lesotho and highest mountain in Southern Africa.
Although not a large producer of diamonds by volume, it is characterized by large stones (more than 100 carats) of very high colour quality.
Spiral Aloe – is endemic to Lesotho. It has strikingly a symmetrical five pointed spiral growth habit and alleged to have some medicinal functions.
Maletsunyane Fall and Abseil – as stated in the Guinness World Records, is the longest commercially operated single drop abseil in the world. Whereas the Fall itself (192m) is the longest horsetail type of Fall in Southern Africa.
It is one of the countries in Africa that hosts ski areas and resorts – The AfriSki.
It hosts Africa’s toughest motor-sport event “The Roof of Africa Rally”.
For additional pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157674179755201Jan Hak, Chairman NAFTC, H.E. Mpeo Mahase-Moiloa Ambassador of Lesotho to the EU and the Benelux, Frans Engering, SANEC Chairman, Mark Agterdenbosch, SANEC General Manager.People Focused Development: With its small economy, Lesotho attaches great importance, amongst others; to its education and health systems. The recent UNESCO Report on Global Partnership for Girls and Women’s Education stated that the adult literacy rate in Lesotho is above Sub-Saharan average as 95% of women are literate compared to 83% of men. A great effort is also highly visible in the health sector, especially the Primary health Care. Under the Millennium Challenge Account, founded by the Government of the United States of America; Lesotho recently rehabilitated old clinics and constructed new ones bringing a total number of clinics to 150 country-wide. The services offered at all these centres are free. Lesotho therefore, promises investors a young trainable and healthy labour force.
In 1966 when Lesotho became independent, it had only a kilometer long tarred road. Today, all its ten districts are accessible by tarred roads and most of the township villages are tarred. Almost all the remote areas are accessible by gravel roads. Here, it should be pointed out that one of the distinct features alluded to, earlier; of being a highest low point above sea-level, makes Lesotho vulnerable to massive land degradation which reverses its gains as far as development of road infrastructure is concerned.
Another people oriented major development is in the water and energy sectors. The number of households’ supply of clean water and sanitation services grows by big margins yearly. The supply of energy especially the renewable energy is also growing steadily. Lesotho is grateful to its main development partners in this area; the European Union through the European Development Fund (EDF).
Lesotho has a commendable record of promoting gender equality in all its national programmes aimed at sustainable human and economic development. For instance two of the three arms of the Royal Government; namely, the National Assembly and the Judiciary are headed by women.
Frans Engering, SANEC Chairman, H.E. Ambassador Mpeo Mahase Moiloa and Jan Hak, Chairman NAFTC.Economic Factors and Incentives for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
Lesotho’s major economic sectors comprise manufacturing, mining, agriculture, tourism and services, with chief exports in textiles, diamonds, water, wool and mohair. With the sole intention of creating an investment friendly setting, Lesotho’s Seventh Parliament (2007-2012) focused mainly on Economic Development Oriented Laws. These amongst others included the repealing and, or amending of the following Acts:
The Land Act – to improve the Land Tenure system focusing both on women and investors’ rights.
Married Persons Equality Act – Generally aimed at removing the minority status of married women with the aim of affording them a full participation in economic development.
The Companies Act – to shorten both process and period of registration of companies and to enhance the legal status of women by giving them the right to be Directors of Companies.
In the same era, all the offices rendering company registration services were brought under one roof “The-One-Stop-Shop”, to facilitate this process.
Financial Act – This was also amended to create tax incentives for investors.
Lesotho welcomes FDI in Renewable Energy, Tourism Infrastructure and Agriculture. This would influence a much needed growth of the private sector as well as addressing the problem of youth unemployment. In the same breadth, Lesotho calls for international support for the current challenge of food insecurity resulting mainly from the direct effects of climate change.
The Memorandum of Understanding was also signed at the event as part of the mutually accepted need to set up a Netherlands-Lesotho, Agricultural, Food and Technology Platform with the location in Lesotho.
In conclusion the Mission would like thank the sponsorship and organisation of a reception held on 4th October 2016 at the Castle of Wittenburg in Wassenaar, The Netherlands, to mark this Golden Jubilee of Independence. In particular, the Hak Partners in collaboration with Southern African Netherlands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SANEC). It also joins Mr Hak in thanking the following companies for responding positively to his call to join hands with him to the fruition of the event; Netherlands Agro, Food and Technology Centre (NAFTC), VanDrie Group, Tradin Organic, Metropolitan Food Security, QuaTerNes B.V., Three4Life, Ridder HortiMax, Ploeger OxboGroup and Geerlofs.
Another big appreciation goes to Lesotho’s development partners for the continued support rendered as it struggles to give a true meaning to the word – Independence.KHOTSO, PULA, NALA / (PEACE, RAIN AND PROSPERITY)For more information:
Lesotho’s Monarchy and Parliament: http://www.parliament.ls/king/index.html
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations: http://www.foreign.gov.ls/home/contacts.php
Netherlands Agro, Food & Technology Centre (NAFTC): http://www.naftc.nl/aboutnaftc/
——————–
Photography by NAFTC-Africa (http://www.naftc.nl/aboutnaftc/)
On the picture Honourable Lu Hsiu-lien.
Tuesday, 18 October 2016, Brussels-Luxembourg: The first female Vice-President of the Republic of China (Taiwan), The Honourable Lu Hsiu-lien, Founding President of the International Federation of Business and Professional Women (Taiwan, 2008), was hosted at the European Parliament by MEPs of all the political persuasions during a warm dinner, which was preceded by an allocution of the former Vice-President on her geo-political insights about the Far East.
MEP Hans van Baalen.
Ms Lu Hsiu-lien (呂秀蓮) served as ROC’s Vice-President between 20 May 2000 and 20 May 2008; being the first and only woman hitherto to have held the office. She is also the very first elected deputy chief of state to take up a Westernised forename, namely “Annette”.
The President of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party (ALDE Party), MEP Hans van Baalen (The Netherlands) also addressed the audience after the speech of Ms Lu to highlight the fact that the ROC is still often excluded from international organisations and meetings, and warned of the perils in the world order of denying recognition to the ROC and its leadership.
Baron Henri Estramant and the Honourable Lu Hsiu-lien.Photography by Director Cheng Yuan-ching, Press Division – Taipei Representative Office in the European Union and Belgium. Baron Henri Estramant and Vice-President Lu Hsiu-lien at the European Parliament headquarters at Brussels.
By Roy Lie A Tjam.
The centuries old Kasteel De Wittenburg Wassenaar, a UNESCO site, served as the location for the First Bangladesh Tourism Networking Event on the 12th October 2016.
Referring to the venue Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal facetiously remarked, finding one’s way to the Kasteeel could be difficult, it is similarly difficult to find out about tourism opportunities in Bangladesh (laughter).
The event took place in a pleasant and lay-backed atmosphere. The organizer of the event was the Embassy of the Republic of Bangladesh in The Hague under the direction of H.E Sheikh Mohamed Belal, with support from their Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Business meetings at the First Bangladesh Tourism Networking Event.
Participants in the seminar included; the Bangladesh Tourism Authority, tour operators. Other members of the Bangladesh delegation were representatives of Straightway tours, Escape Bd, Bengal Logistics and Golpata Ecotours along with their Dutch counterparts and tour operators from Belgium.
After the welcome remarks by Ambassador Belal, he introduced his subject – An introduction of Bangladesh as a country. The Ambassador spoke frankly, from the heart whilst the Ambassadors dwelled on the striking similarities between the Netherlands and Bangladesh, to note a few; water, wind and the scarcity of land. “Bangladesh can learn a great deal from the Netherlands in how to deal with these phenomena as Bangladesh finds itself in the same situation as the Netherlands did many years ago.” Regarding terrorism both are combating terrorism. Ambassador Belal noted, “IS is neither Islamic nor is it a State.”First Bangladesh Tourism Networking delegation together with the Ambassador of Bangladesh to the Netherlands, H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Belal and spouse Dr. Dilruba Nasrin.
Ambassador Belal was quickly followed by Dr Aparup Chowdhury; Chairman of the Government Tourism Organization in Bangladesh. Dr Chowdhury indicated how the Honourable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina declared the year 2016 as the year of Tourism, with Cox Bazaar being the country’s top tourist attraction due its 120km of unbroken sandy beaches. Dr Chowdhury also added the Shrines of Chittagong and the Mosques of Dhaka to the list of top attractions in Bangladesh. As for the government’s plans, policy and program in order to facilitate tourism to Bangladesh, the government envisages a simplified visa system that introduces a E-visa system. Dr Chowdhury called Bangladesh a “truly Asian” destination.
The following speaker was Mrs. Joke Wittekoek who touched on the factor Tourism in Bangladesh from a tour operator’s perspective. Mrs. Wittekoek is the owner of a tourism agency and in her speech she reflected upon the opportunities for Bangladeshi tourism and how it could prosper.
There were interesting short promotional films between the discourses.
Beautiful Bangladesh School of life,
Visit Bangladesh – Life happens here,
Beautiful Bangladesh Land of stories
The seminar had a session in which tour operators from both sides met on a one-one basis. Towards the end of the event Mr. Karel Kipperi, a Dutch producer and actor in the film Land of Stories delivered a speech. Kuiperi has been to all corners of the land which he loves so dearly; Bangladesh.
The discourse delivered by the duo Karel and Joke, who have both been living in Bangladesh for many years could be considered as a summary of recommendations for the audience and Bangladesh in general to take on board for the future. Both provided an invaluable insight on what might be of interest to a Dutch tourist, how to entice the tourist to visit Bangladesh, a beautiful country with incredible natural and geographical beauties and above all their incredibly hospitable people.
The purpose of the seminar was to help the Dutch Tour operators to better understand Bangladesh. Simultaneously to enhance existing situations and develop new attraction that can compete on the growing global tourism market.
Pictured Ambassador H.E. Mrs. Iffat Imran Gardezi.By Roy Lie A Tjam.The latest Diplomats’ Meet and Greet, organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Pakistan in collaboration with Diplomat magazine, Carlton Ambassador and Diplomatic Card, attracted many guests. They came to the Carlton Ambassador Hotel on 26 September 2016 to meet Pakistan’s new Ambassador H.E. Mrs. Iffat Imran Gardezi.Video by Mirza Kamram.For additional Kim Vermaat & Roy Strik’s pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157674029935902Dr Bernard Bot, Chairman of Carnegie Foundation and Ambassador Gardezi.Mrs. Gardezi, Pakistan’s 21st Ambassador to the Netherlands, likes her new post and will perpetuate the friendly relationship existing between her country and the Netherlands. During her stint in The Hague she will be working towards getting more Dutch enterprises interested in investing in Pakistan.H.E. Chris Hoornaert, Ambassador of Belgium and H.E. Mrs. Iffat Imran Gardezi.After being welcomed with Pakistani mango beverages, guests were treated to tasty Pakistani snacks and a presentation of Basmati rice, one of Pakistan’s most popular export items.The Ambassador of Pakistan and the Mayor of Wassenaar, Mr Jan Hoekema.The diplomatic community in the Netherlands is active and dynamic, with Ambassador Gardezi being the most recent in a long list of new arrivals.Jose Bucarello, Minister Counsellor Embassy of Venezuela, Rose J. Sumbeiywo , Commercial Counsellor of Kenya, OPCW Director-General H.E. Mr Ahmet Üzümcü , H.E. Crist Hooaneart, Ambassador of Belgium, H.E. Dirk Brengelmann, Ambassador of Germany, Ambassador of Iraq, H.E. Mr. Saywan Barzani and Boris A. Zhilko, Minister-Counsellor, Embassy of Russia.Photography by Kim Vermaat and Roy Strik.
By Roy Lie A Tjam.
Indonesia Jazz night, 2016 edition at the Royal Conservatory The Hague, was held from 13 to 14 October 2016.
The fabulous event was held under the auspices of no other than H.E. Mr. Dwiki Dharmawan, who did it again this year, captivating the audience with a dazzling performance alongside his team.
For additional Marian van Noort’s pictures, please open the following link:https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157675387809475
His special collaborators for the evening included Dewa Budjana, electric guitarist, and one of Indonesia’s most vibrant musicians; Aning Katamsi, soprano, who has been performing nationally and internationally for nearly 30 years; Yarra Arnes, vocals, a rising star in Indonesia’s music scene; and Ita Purnamasari, vocals, who has received many awards and is another regular international performer.
Some of the numbers featured on the program were Gita Malam, dream time, Gangga, Melati Suci, and spirit of peace to name but a few.
As AmbassadorI Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja indicated in his welcome address, the jazz night is intended to accentuate the friendly relationship between Indonesia and the Netherlands. Music unites and is without frontiers, he noted.
All who attended the spectacular evening returned home their spirits lifted.
ByBaron Henri Estramant.
Kuala Lumpur, Federation of Malaysia, 15 October 2016: The 29th Sultan of Kelantan, Sultan Muhammad V was named the soon-to-be 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong (“Paramount Ruler” or King) by at the 243rd (special) Conference of Rulers held at the Istana Negara (Royal Palace) in Kuala Lumpur.
Sultan Muhammad V shall take over the federal throne from the current Yang-di Pertuan Agong and Sultan of Kedah, Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah, who will complete his five-year reign on 12 December 2016,
Meanwhile, The Sultan of Perak, Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, 59, will take over from Sultan Muhammad V as the new Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
In a statement issued in Kuala Lumpur, the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal, Syed Danial Syed Ahmad, said the appointment shall take effect on 13 December 2016 for a period of five years upon the 15th Agong’s enthronement.
Muhammad V has been Sultan of Kelantan since 13 September 2010.
Sultan Muhammad V is currently the Chancellor of Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK). He is said to be an avid reader as well as a motor-racing enthusiast. He has three younger siblings who are Tengku Mahkota of Kelantan (Crown Prince), Tengku Dr Muhammad Faiz Petra, 42, Tengku Muhammad Fakhry Petra, 38, and Tengku Amalin A’ishah Putri, 32.
The Yang-di Pertuan Agong is Malaysia’s head of state. He is chosen every five years from one of the nine rulers eligible for election forming the Federation of Malaysia encompassing 13 states and three federal territories. Out of the thirteen states, nine are governed by endemic constitutional monarchs.
For further information Conference of Malay Rulers: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conference_of_Rulershttp://www.majlisraja-raja.gov.my/index.php/bm/
On the picture Jan Dop and Rainier Russell.
On 22 September 2016, Russell Advocaten hosted an interactive seminar for Embassies and Consulates in the Netherlands. The meeting was a great success and attended by many different Embassies.
The seminar consisted of three parallel workshops on the most important topics pertaining to international diplomatic missions in The Netherlands, namely:
Employment Law
Real Estate (buying, selling, investments, permits)
Dealing with the Dutch – Investment in the Netherlands
Jan Dop, Head of Embassy Desk at Russell Avocaten.
Using practical examples, including cases presented by the participants, the specialist lawyers of Russell Advocaten identified key issues of every topic that Embassies and companies of the home country should be aware of to prevent problems.
Russell Advocaten has served as trusted advisor to many Embassies, Consulates, diplomats, expats and companies from the home country over the past decades (www.embassydesk.nl).
The special Embassy desk at Russell Advocaten handles a. o. cases pertaining to employment, labour and dismissal, real estate (Residence/Embassy), immigration, commercial contracts, diplomatic immunity and diplomatic inviolability.
In case you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Jan Dop (Partner/Head of Embassy Desk) at embassydesk@russell.nl.Photography by Kim Vermaat.
The Embassy of Romania in the Netherlands organised the photo-documentary exhibition “Righteous Among Nations”, hosted by The Hague City Hall. The occasion of the event is Romania’s Chairmanship of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance.
H.E. Ms Brânduşa Predescu, Ambassador of Romania to the Netherlands, invited diplomats and other honourable guests for the opening of the exhibition, followed by a reception on 5 October 2016.
Ambassador Predescu, welcomed the honourable guests, and spoke about the black page in our history that is the Holocaust. A brief quotation of the Ambassador’s address follows.
“The Holocaust is part of the history of Europe and Romania. It is a part of the history of mentalities, policies and practices that negatively marked civilization and modernization and showed its confines. The tragedy of the Jews of Romania is a black page in the history of Romania during the period 1938-1944. The Holocaust is unique and must be recognized its appropriate value in education. It symbolizes the supreme Evil in our times because of the way in which plans for mass extermination of an ethnic community were designed and implemented for the first time using industrial means.In the city of peace and justice, the only ingredients that bring out the best in us, humans, namely humanity, tolerance, generosity and lack of fear, we invite you to walk with us through these individual stories about humanity, about people helping people. Weinvite you to remember what cannot be forgotten and what should never be repeated.”
The Ambassadors speech was followed by words by Mrs. Nira Staretz, the cultural attaché of the Embassy of Israel in The Hague and Mr. Floris van Dijk, member of the Dutch delegation to the International Alliance for Holocaust Remembrance.
Mrs. Staretz mentioned the importance of teaching our children what happened, so that this should never happen again. Mr. Floris van Dijk spoke about the difficulty of facing your own past and the importance of fact finding and transparency, which will help to understand.
The exhibition features many stories, including that of Constantin Karadja, a Romanian diplomat born in The Hague, who saved over 51.000 Jewish lives. During his research Mr. Van Dijk found the original birth certificate of Constantin Karadja in the archives of The Hague. The Romanian Ambassador received copies of the original birth certificate of Constantin Karadja, and the birth and death certificate of his older brother as a gift.
Upon receiving this gift Ambassador Brânduşa Predescu expressed gratitude.
“This gift is more important than attendants can imagine. Karadja is a mythical legend. He represents a stepping stone in diplomatic education. He is the composer of the one and only bible of diplomacy. We are very grateful for this gift, which will be placed in the diplomatic archive in Bucharest.”
The ceremony was followed by a reception, where the honourable guests had the pleasure of tasting Romanian wines.
Romania is chairman of the International Holocaust Remembrance Allicance (IHRA) from March 2016 to March 2017, more information upon this subject can be found here: https://www.holocaustremembrance.com/about-us/chairmanship
More information about Constantin Karadja can be found here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantin_Karadja
The exposition was opened by Ms. Mette Gonggrijp, Director of the Sub-Saharan Africa desk at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs., who emphasised the importance of art as a medium of communication.
Anna Kurtycz (Mexico 1970) is a master woodcutter who has ventured successfully into engraving, photography, video installations and street art. She likes scenes from daily life, especially how people interact in crowds. RUDEK (The Netherlands 1975) is an artist who likes to focus on the individuals in a crowd. The tension between the individual and the masses is where their common work touches.
RUDEK is a diplomat in the Dutch Foreign Service and the couple has spent seven years in Africa, in Ghana and Benin. In both places Anna set up her studio, not just to work herself, but to interact with local population (children and adults) with whom she organised art classes and art activities. She also participated with her studio several times in Ghana’s main street Art Festival. In all the cases the interaction with local population was a great source of inspiration, not just for her, but for everyone around her.
The work they made in Africa was directed by social issues, women, the tension between races, corruption and migration. It is this last issue that was the start of the current exposition, looking at migration not from the outside in seeing victims, but from the inside out. They look at individuals, strong people who gathered the courage and had the strength to leave a place without future in search for a new world, where they could live and bring up a family in peace and security.
You will find portraits of strong women, the imaginary wall these migrants have to scale and a busy port. Anna discovered that, during the migration of ancient Aztecs from Aztlán (Northwest of Mexico) to Tenochtitlan (Todays Mexico City), they were confronted to a similar situation that migrants face today while going to USA. She used the same iconography of Aztec codex to describe today’s problem. Plus que ça change …
Don’t miss this exposition UNTIL NOVEMBER 4th. Open weekdays from 10.00 ~ 19.00, Saturday 10.00 to 18.00, Sunday 10.00 to 17.00.
The discourse delivered by the duo Karel and Joke, who have both been living in Bangladesh for many years could be considered as a summary of recommendations for the audience and Bangladesh in general to take on board for the future. Both provided an invaluable insight on what might be of interest to a Dutch tourist, how to entice the tourist to visit Bangladesh, a beautiful country with incredible natural and geographical beauties and above all their incredibly hospitable people.
The purpose of the seminar was to help the Dutch Tour operators to better understand Bangladesh. Simultaneously to enhance existing situations and develop new attraction that can compete on the growing global tourism market.
His special collaborators for the evening included Dewa Budjana, electric guitarist, and one of Indonesia’s most vibrant musicians; Aning Katamsi, soprano, who has been performing nationally and internationally for nearly 30 years; Yarra Arnes, vocals, a rising star in Indonesia’s music scene; and Ita Purnamasari, vocals, who has received many awards and is another regular international performer.
Some of the numbers featured on the program were Gita Malam, dream time, Gangga, Melati Suci, and spirit of peace to name but a few.
As Ambassador I Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja indicated in his welcome address, the jazz night is intended to accentuate the friendly relationship between Indonesia and the Netherlands. Music unites and is without frontiers, he noted.
All who attended the spectacular evening returned home their spirits lifted.
Photography by Kim Vermaat. 
The exhibition features many stories, including that of Constantin Karadja, a Romanian diplomat born in The Hague, who saved over 51.000 Jewish lives. During his research Mr. Van Dijk found the original birth certificate of Constantin Karadja in the archives of The Hague. The Romanian Ambassador received copies of the original birth certificate of Constantin Karadja, and the birth and death certificate of his older brother as a gift.
Upon receiving this gift Ambassador Brânduşa Predescu expressed gratitude.
“This gift is more important than attendants can imagine. Karadja is a mythical legend. He represents a stepping stone in diplomatic education. He is the composer of the one and only bible of diplomacy. We are very grateful for this gift, which will be placed in the diplomatic archive in Bucharest.”
The ceremony was followed by a reception, where the honourable guests had the pleasure of tasting Romanian wines.
Romania is chairman of the International Holocaust Remembrance Allicance (IHRA) from March 2016 to March 2017, more information upon this subject can be found here: