By John Dunkelgrün. This is a time of remembrance. As I write this on September 11th, I am also thinking of the Hungarian revolution of 1956, now 60 years ago, in which over 2,500 Hungarians were killed by the invading Russian troops. The Hungarian embassy commemorates this tragedy with a series of events, the first of which happened in Utrecht on September 10th. Sponsored and exquisitely catered by the Embassy, Musix For You, the programming company of alt-violinist Ms Örzse Adam, offered a varied program of old and contemporary classical music. The afternoon started in an original way, by having several musical families perform light classical music aimed at musical families with young children. This was followed by a high tea with good Hungarian champagne and exquisite pastries prepared by the Embassy cook. Ms. Adam then explained the goal of her Musix For You and the VOET Foundation (“Variaties Op Een Thema”). There are a great many people in The Netherlands of Hungarian descent as over 5,000 fugitives found a safe home here after 1956. Ms Adam together with Mr. Martin van der Randen of VOET recognised a need to integrate Dutch and Hungarian culture and started the Zene (“music” in Hungarian) Festival.

The second speech was by Dr. Zoltán Lékó, Deputy Head of Mission of the Hungarian Embassy. He pointed out that the opening work was going to be Beethoven’s Egmont Overture. This work had become the signature music of the 1956 Revolution just like the Chant des Partisans was to the French Résistance. This happened because at the beginning of the revolution the Budapest broadcasting studio was destroyed and the make-shift studio had hardly any music records. However, they had the Egmont and that was played over and over. There were ten excellent musicians who all came from Hungary, had Hungarian parents or came from Hungarian speaking areas around current Hungary. They performed some eight works in an admirably spirited way. Naturally the program had a strong Hungarian content. To me personally, the most impressive was the cello solo by Örs Köszagy “Jaj Istenem, hogy éljek még”(O my God, that I may survive) which was written by the young composer P. Vigh, who was present himself. The day was concluded with a buffet dinner during which the Embassy cook really feasted the guests with specialties of the Hungarian kitchen. The Embassy of Hungary organises a series of events to commemorate the revolution, such as a teachers conference, an exhibition and much more. Details can be found on haga.gov.hu/1956. A special treat will be an exhibition at the Frans Hals museum of 17th century Dutch masters from the Szépmüvészeti Múzeum in Budapest. Hollandse meesters uit Boedapest (12 November 2016 through 12 February 1217. Ms Adam and Mr Van de Randen hope to make the ZeNe Festival an annual event and to cover more aspects of Hungarian culture.       Photography by Mrs Saskia Molema, Embassy of Hungary.

Sharon Stone at the Peace, Justice and Security Foundation Launch. By Roy Lie A Tjam. September 5^th 2016 is a momentous day for the Peace, Justice and Security foundation in The Hague, the city famed for being called the city of peace and justice. The inauguration day started with an interactive panel discussion moderated by HagueTalks at the Humanity House, later in the day an inaugural gala followed at the Hotel Hilton in The Hague. A large number of international celebrities contributed to the various activities on “Peace Monday”.   For additional Kim Vernaart’s pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157670464188404 

To mention a few: Prince Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Judge Silvia Fernandez, president of the International Criminal Court, Victor Ochen, founder of the African Youth Initiative Network, last year’s Nobel Prize candidate, Dr. Mary Aiken, professor and author of “The Cyber Effect”, American Actress and film producer, Sharon Stone.  

Awareness Setting Peace and justice in motion The Foundation aims to raise awareness of pressing events in the field of law, justice, peace and security around the world. This is done by means of concrete actions. For example, a soccer tournament: “Children know football clubs and football stars”, the young players in the tournament are given special playing shirts, including the foundation’s logo and on the top on the back: Goal 16.

Goal 16 is the 16th Development Goal of the United Nations, aimed at a just, peaceful and inclusive society. H.E. Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in his address slammed populist approaches in Europe and across the Atlantic. In short, here is what he addressed: ‘I wish to address this short statement to Mr. Geert Wilders, his acolytes, indeed to all those like him – the populists, demagogues and political fantasists.  To them, I must be a sort of nightmare.  I am the global voice on human rights, universal rights; elected by all governments, and now critic of almost all governments.  I defend and promote the human rights of each individual, everywhere: the rights of migrants, asylum seekers and immigrants; the rights of the LGBT community; the rights of women and children in all countries; minorities; indigenous persons; people with disabilities, and any and all who are discriminated against, disadvantaged, persecuted or tortured – whether by governments, political movements or by terrorists.’ H.E. Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein recounts the fearless attitude of the youth in general and in particular those youngsters he met on his visit to eastern Congo. These youngsters spoke out fearlessly about injustice and highlighted how peace and justice should be as one. Sharon Stone, posed the question, ‘What is peace? Could peace be an economic machine?’ she asked. ‘Peace is action, peace is a force, peace is a solution. We should try to find peaceful jobs within the armed forces’ Sharon then briefly turned to phenomenal corporate spending.

According to the director of EUROPOL Rob Wainwright, his organization is developing a greater number of security strategies to combat terrorism and crime. Exchange of information takes place daily, which has come to highlight how refugees are the consequence of criminal activity. Mr. Victor Ochen, Ambassador for peace and justice noted how, to much peace is a distant reality. The world is concerned about the thousands of refugees dabbling in the Mediterranean Sea. They should rather be concerned when these people are still on dry land. This would prevent human catastrophe. Victor Ochen calls for a role for the so called local leaders in the villages and for local diplomacy. Too often local problems are outsourced to the UN=USA. Prof Mary Aiken, a cyber psychologist delivered an excellent expose having the audience listening attentively to what she had to say about our behavior on the web. She mentioned cyber stalking and its massive negative impact on multiple people around the world. Aiken further elaborated on the risks involved in exposing children less than two years old to screens. According to an American pediatric institution: – Children under 6 should not posses their own smart phone. Remember, in cyber land no one is in charge Aiken proposed a review of the right of children which is currently out dated, as it was last reviewed in 1989 with no mention of technology. A Dazzling Gala Dinner An evening full of activities: remitting of awards, music auction, speeches, documentaries and testimonials. The Peace, Justice and security Foundation (PJSF) is here to stay.

The dinner was attended by internationally renowned celebrities such as: H.E. Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein High Commissioner for Human rights, President ICC Silvia Fernandez de Gurmendi, Rob Wainwright, Europol director, Sharon stone, Victor Ochen, Freddy Mutanguha, Van Velzen sisters and scores of other individuals. A sublime ambiance reigned at the Hilton; every one wished the Peace, Justice and Security Foundation a long and prosperous life.

                                                              http://www.peaceandjusticefoundation.net/ http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/Media.aspx  

By Lindsay Louis, 3^rd Secretary/Bilateral, South Africa Embassy in The Hague When the South African Embassy in The Hague announced that it was participating in the 2016th edition of The Hague Embassy Festival on 3 September 2016 in Lange Voorhout, many expatriate South Africans, the diplomatic community and international guests looked forward to an exciting programme that encapsulated the heart and soul of Madiba’s Rainbow Nation. Madiba’s Rainbow Nation has always been a country of partnership and cooperation between the diverse people that traverse its landscape and therefore the Embassy found it imperative to search for partners in promoting the values of Ubuntu and the generosity of the South African spirit. South Africa’s participation was thus divided into four categories or activities such as food and lifestyle, arts and craft, performing arts and tourism promotion. The South African Pavilion which was highly visible received rave reviews from the thousands of expatriate South Africans and international guests who were in attendance to sample an array of culinary and artistic delights reminiscent of the sights, colours, vibrancy and flavours of South Africa, ranging from the traditional and quintessential South African “kuierkos” such as boerewors, biltong, melktert and chakalaka manned by Marnella’s Kuierkos, a South African owned business based in Amsterdam. Suffice to say, all the biltong and boerewors were sold out. Madri Gerber, a South African celebrity who hosts a Dutch cooking television show who also acts as a South African wine promoter was kept constantly busy as international guests clamored to their “tongues” on award-winning South African wines. Wine brand names included, Villion Chenin Blanc 2015, Villion Chardonnay 2015, Villion Blanc de l’Antique 2015, Fryer’s Cove Bay to Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2015, Kleinhoekkloof Sauvignon Blanc 2014, D’Aria Blush Rosé 2014, Agaat John David 2012, Dornier Cacao Hill Red 2012 and Saltare Brut Nature. The wines were all sold out two hours before the official closing time of the Festival. At the Creative Stage, the two South African artistic acts Zwakala and Kirvan Fortuin proved to be extremely popular with seats filled to capacity and hundreds of onlookers. Both acts received rousing applause and were definitely noteworthy if the reaction of the audience was anything to go by. Zwakala is a South African led Afro- jazz, Mbaqanga and Maskanda band with Durban born, Tibatso Liholoas as lead singer opened South Africa’s artistic performances. The band treated a jam packed audience to a rousing musical performance reminiscent of the South African rhythm and beat, thereby promoting dance styles such as Twalatsa, Pantsula and traditional Zulu dance. Kirvan, a young South African professional modern contemporary dancer making waves in Europe choreographed a unique love tale dance performance for the Embassy Festival that featured two dancers (Kirvan and Toesi Kobi) with significant difference in dance styles. Jacqueline Lewis, an expatriate South African and owner of Jacqui Creations and Fred Koorn, owner of Siyabonga who sells South African made craft made by rural Mpumalangan women, told South Africa’s rich cultural heritage through exquisite jewelry , ornaments, clothes and other craft. Marieke van Willenburg, representative of the Tourism South Africa office in the Netherlands and South African Airways ‘ (SAA) Floris Keuzenkamp did a sterling job at promoting South Africa to the thousands of visitors who paid a visit to the Touism Promotion section of the South African Pavilion. It is reported that they are following up on several leads, including an upcoming tour of South Africa by Dutch school children who will now fly with South African Airways (SAA). These small but important steps are in line with the Embassy’s objective to increase inbound tourism to South Africa from the Netherlands. To round the day off, the South African Pavilion hosted an impromptu party with South African music greats like Brenda Fassie, Hugh Masekela and DJ Coffee amongst others dominating the airwaves and attracting multitudes of curious but happy onlookers who participated in the song and dance. The Pavilion was definitely the place to be. In all, South Africa’s inaugural participation in the fourth edition of The Hague Embassy Festival turned out to be a resounding success with the Embassy still receiving positive feedback. The Festival was beyond the Embassy’s expectations as the South African Pavilion turned out to be the most frequented and popular country stands of the 60 participating Embassies. South Africa’s Pavilion was also the only one that had dedicated space for the various sub-sections making it easy for visitors to acquaint themselves with the various attributes that define and make South Africa unique. The Embassy took a conscious decision to partner with local patriotic expatriate South Africans from diverse backgrounds who have frequently shown their support of South Africa and Embassy initiatives and it turned out to be a mutually beneficial relationship. It is also contributed to social cohesion amongst expatriate South Africans in the Netherlands. The Hague Embassy Festival thus offers a unique opportunity to South African provinces and municipalities, especially those who are in rural areas and often overlooked to promote themselves and attract increased tourism from the Netherlands. The Embassy is looking forward to the 2017^th edition of the festival. ———— Photography by the Embassy of the Republic of South Africa in The Hague.

Pictured H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Belal, Ambassador of Bangladesh and his spouse Dr Dilruba Nasrin, with students. Bangladesh showcases rich culture and cuisine at the Embassy Festival in the Netherlands Bangladesh Embassy was one of 42 Embassies that put up their own pavilion in this year’s flagship event of the Netherlands’ Embassy Festival. This is the first time Bangladesh Pavilion was there in the mosaic of diverse diplomatic community in the Netherlands. The way Thailand promoted their cuisine, Malaysia promoted their tourism, South Africa introduced their wines; Bangladesh Embassy showcased its food, culture and handicrafts. Thousands of people, along with family and friends, joined this Festival with fanfare and enthusiasm. The local Municipal Council made this event almost a “must” visit item with round the year preparation and publicity.  As it was a sunny autumn day, there were no ends to the stream of visitors to this festival.

Throughout the festival day, Bangladesh pavilion and the surrounding area was humming in Bangla as it has turned into the meeting point of Bangladesh community people. A sizable presence of students from Bangladesh, who are pursuing their higher studies in the Netherlands, is a conspicuous characteristic of this year’s presence. As the Embassy undertook month long preparation and publicity, young students marked the day to make it a rendezvous far from home. Bangladesh pavilion was decorated in a traditional theme with nokshi katha, colourful jamdani etc. As a demonstration of Bangladeshi cuisine, food items like shingara, piaju, chotpoti, biriani, fish chop, patishapta, narikel puli were on the offer. Bangladeshi food items were much in demand to both international visitors and nationals. Bangladesh pavilion also displayed traditional handicrafts typically made by the rural women which included nokshi katha, clay show pieces, jute goods, brassware, etc. The visitors appreciated the handicrafts and some of them picked up the items of their choice. An attraction of Bangladesh pavilion was its rich display of Jamdani Sarees from Bangladesh. International visitors took a deep interest in sarees, dresses  and crafts. Other garments items were also in display and demand. To give a glimpse of Bangladeshi culture to the wide world Bangladeshi children’s dance troupe performed a dance fusion with popular folk songs at the creative arena. Clad in red jamdani and with other traditional accessories, the children attracted huge attention. A lot of people were seen requesting the children to pose for photos. Bangladesh Ambassador to the Netherlands H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Belal and his spouse Dr Dilruba Nasrin were present at the Bangladesh Pavilion throughout the day. They welcomed the guests to the pavilion and spent time with them. The Ambassador described this experience as a very rewarding and valuable one. In an interview with Diplomatic Magazine, Ambassador Belal described this year’s participation as a ‘message for the international community to visit Bangladesh, to experience the difference’. The invitation was made to witness the development spree in Bangladesh and be a partner in their journey. Ambassador Belal also engaged with the visitors and Students as they wish to hear more about Bangladesh and its development.  Ambassador Belal also mentioned that this kind of participation not only raise Bangladesh national flag in the international arena but also allows some space to expatriate Bangladeshis to take pride with their roots. ————— Photography by the Embassy of Bangladesh in The Hague.