On May 9, the exhibition “Peace and Security in Europe” was officially opened in The Hague’s City Hall. Situated in The Hague, “the City of Peace and Justice”, the setting of the exhibition could not have been more suitable for celebrating Europe Day. The reception was opened with a warm welcome speech by  the Honourable Jozias van Aartsen Mayor of The Hague who reminded the audience of the formidable historic and current challenges to Europe’s peace and security. For additional Marina van Noort’s pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157667578684180  

The first guest to take the floor was Eduard Slootweg, Head of the European Parliament Information Office, who explained the background of the Europe Day, namely its function in recalling the Schuman Plan of 1950 which laid the foundation for a lasting peace within Europe and today’s the European Union. How does Europe provide and protect its peace and security today? This question was answered by representatives of the most important institutions themselves – Europol, Eurojust and the European Commission. Gerald Hesztera, Head of Corporate Communications at Europol, described the central role of Europol as a hub for all police forces in Europe with headquarters in The Hague.

Europol is an indispensable actor in its support and coordination of law enforcement operations across Europe. Ms. Michèle Coninsx, President of Eurojust, referred to the organization’s significance in fighting international and cross-border crime. Eurojust takes a central role in supporting EU member state in cross-border investigations and prosecutions, while at the same time closely cooperating with third states. Lastly, Peter Bekx, director of the European Commission Representation in The Netherlands, explained the key function of the European Union itself in defending peace and security. The official part of the reception was concluded by Jan Hennop, former President of the Foreign Press Association, who invited all guests to toast to both, the Europe Day and the exhibition.

The exhibition itself is composed of two parts – on the one hand presenting the work of Eurojust, Europol and the European Commission and their integral role in the maintenance and protection of European security and peace. On the other hand displaying a selection of the powerful cartoons by Ali Ferzat, a Syrian caricaturist who won the Sakharov Freedom Prize of thought in 2011 which is awarded to individuals with an exceptional contribution fighting for human rights. In the same year, Ferzat was severely attacked by unknowns who deliberately broke his fingers. Despite the attacks and various threats, Mr Ferzat continues to be one of the regime’s most outspoken critics through his word and his art. Given that he is currently living in exile in Kuwait, he could unfortunately not attend the reception.  

 Artist / photographer Stephan Vanfleteren and H.E. Ambassador Chris Hoornaert.  By Roy Lie A Tjam. For the fourth consecutive year the residence of the Belgium Ambassador in The Hague served as a venue for the showcasing of Belgian artists. The initiative for this annual event was taken by the previous Ambassador, with the aim of providing an opportunity for all ten Belgian provinces to promote their art in the Netherlands. This time around it was the turn of the province of West-Vlaanderen. The theme chosen was “Het Verbeelde Westen” (The Imaginary West). A large delegation visited The Hague for the vernissage, which was attended not only by the Flemish community in the Netherlands but also by many invitees such as heads of diplomatic missions, dignitaries and other friends of Belgium. For additional Marian van Noort’s pictures, please open the following link:https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157668008881611

In his welcome address, H.E. Ambassador Chris Hoornaert referred to the good neighbour relationship between Belgium and the Netherlands. There are plenty of striking similarities between the two countries, he observed. Ambassador Hoornaert praised the ten participating artists for the outstanding contribution they have made to West-Vlaanderen.

The exhibition includes works from the provincial collection, the collection Mu.ZEE and from the artists themselves: Charif Benhelima, Ronny Delrue, Wim Delvoye, Robert Devriendt, Lili Dujourie, Nick Ervinck, Stéphanie Leblon, Johan Tahon, Stephan Vanfleteren and Johan van Geluwe. Ambassador Hoornaert was followed by the Governor of the Province of West-Vlaanderen, Mr. Carl Decluwe, and then by Mr. Jan Denolf, Provincial Cultural Director. Both expressed their admiration for the exposition and praised the close cooperation between Belgium and the Netherlands.

The Province of Vlaanderen successfully gained the support of a number of sponsors for the exhibition, including beer brewers and producers of gin, chocolate, cheese and Belgian delicacies. Many argue that the best beer in the world comes from Belgium, and in particular from the Province of West-Vlaanderen which is today in the limelight. The Ambassador himself hails from West-Vlaanderen. Aside from the art exhibition, there was also a token of Belgian hospitality: a constant flow of savoury snacks, beer and other beverages. Visitors were offered a specially designed catalogue in which photographer Frederik Vercruysse, renowned at home and abroad for his architectural and interior photos, gives one an impression of the building where the exhibition is now taking place – an impressive mansion built in 1925. The exhibition will run until the end of 2016.

In cooperation with Province Noord-Brabant and participation of the State of Minas Gerais, the Embassy of Brazil in The Hague organized the 10th Brazil Network Day (BND) on March 29th in the Chassé Theater in Breda. BND Breda was supported by Rabobank, Baker McKenzie Amsterdam, EY, Neogrid Netherlands and Air Europa. BND program started with a Plenary & Debate Session: “Brazil & Netherlands, on the road to sustainable growth”, which were divided in two consecutive panel sessions. The first panel (14h30 hrs), dealt with issues related to business, investments and cooperation between Minas Gerais/Brazil and Noord-Brabant/The Netherlands in the areas of biomass and renewable energies. The second panel (16h30), opened by former Prime-Minister Jan-Peter Balkenend, covered points related to sustainability and related business and investments opportunities between Brazil and the Netherlands. Living Lab Biobased Brazil was indicated as example of triple-helix initiative between Noord-Brabant and Minas Gerais. Aiming to strengthen the bilateral cooperation, Province of Noord-Brabant and State of Minas Gerais signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Breda to further expand cooperation in the fields of water management, sustainable and environment technologies. In cooperation with Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), Nuffic-Neso Brazil, Institute of Integrated Development of Minas Gerais (INDI) and Secretariat for Technologies and High Education of the State of Minas Gerais (SECTES), BND also had the participation of a Brazilian delegation of government, companies and high-education representatives of the State of Minas Gerais. The delegation also carried out an agenda of meetings and technical visits in the Netherlands from March 29th to April 1st. The BND Business Cocktail (18h00 – 21h00) was opened by Ambassador of Brazil, Mr. Piragibe S. Tarragô, and by the King’s Commissioner for Noord-Brabant, Mr. Wim van de Donk. Among other talking points, both addressed the importance of continuing bilateral efforts to prospect further business, investments and cooperation opportunities between Brazil and the Netherlands. Photo from left to right: Mr. Bert Pauli (Noord-Brabant Vice-Governor for Economic and International Affairs), Mr. Wim van de Donk (King’s Commissioner for Noord-Brabant) and Mr. Piragibe S. Tarragô, Ambassador of Brazil. By gathering more than 350 guests, BND Breda offered a relax setting for professional networking among entrepreneurs (doing or considering doing) business or investing in the Brazil-Netherlands corridor. Following the BND tradition, during the business cocktail 4 return-tickets to Brazil were raffled among the BND participants. BND  congratulate the winners: Mr. Kees Verdoorn (MME Group), Mr. Jochem Porte (Ministry of Economic Affairs), Mr. Harrie de Leijer (STC-Nestra) and Mr. Vincent Panhuysen (Kaan Architecten). Click here to view more photos of BND Breda. Further, as Brazil will be hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games 2016 and EY is also among of the official sponsors, I would like to recall your attention to the following: NOC*NSF (Dutch Olympic Committee) is organizing the Olympic Experience, a master class due to take place on August 16th in Scheveningen. Once EY will be taking 35 invitees to this initiative and there are still few places available, if you are interested click here for more information. By thanking Province Noord-Brabant and all the sponsors and guests of BND Breda, the Embassy of Brazil in The Hague has resumed talks concerning the organization of the next edition of BND. At the moment there are 4 Dutch counterparts interested in co-hosting the second edition of 2016.

Pictured H.E. Bruce Koloane Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa. By Roy Lie A Tjam. Freedom Day (27th April) is a national public holiday in South Africa that serves to celebrate the country’s first democratic post-Apartheid elections, held in 1994. In fact, it celebrates South Africa’s unique constitution and democratic freedom, guaranteeing all those within the South African border freedom from the hatred and oppression that ruled the past. Freedom, it is precisely for this reason that H.E. Bruce Koloane Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa in the Netherlands invited fellow Ambassadors, dignitaries and many others to the Marriott Hotel in The Hague on the 29th April 2016, to celebrate Freedom Day. For additional Kim Vermaat’s pictures please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157665662277944

The turnout was huge and Ambassador Koloane particularly highlighted the presence of the MFA Director of Protocol and ICC prosecutor. Moreover, he thanked the Netherlands for standing by South-Africa during the challenging years of the apartheid and the positive relationship between South-Africa and the Netherlands. This is demonstrated by Dutch investments in South Africa.

From a political viewpoint, Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s visit to South-Africa in November 2015 and the visit of South-Africa’s Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Netherlands also in 2015. A MOU has been signed which resulted in visits at Ministerial level. The evening’s program featured: live music by Modern Jazz Association, dance by choreographer Kirvan Fortuin and poetry by Dianna Ferrus, a South African writer, poet and storyteller. In conclusion, an excellent South-African buffet followed which enriched the celebrations. Inauguration of a South African Art Exhibition On the heels of the Freedom Day celebrations, the South Africa Embassy and Gallery Patries van Dorst jointly organized a three weeks long art exhibition to exhibit South African Art.The inauguration of the exhibition was held at Gallery Patries van Dorst Landgoed De Wittenburg, on a bright Sunday afternoon on May the 1st 2016 by H.E. Bruce Koloane Ambassador of South-Africa.

The Ambassador bid a special welcome to the South-African ICJ  Justice Bakone Moloto and Madam Pauline Burmann of Thani Mnyle Foundation of Amsterdam which promotes the exchange of art and culture between Africa and the Netherlands. The foundation offers three scholarships per annum to individuals from South Africa and other African countries. Ambassador Koloane spoke about how he first met Mr. Carel Reisch of Gallery Patries van Dorst. He also reflected upon the outstanding cooperation between the Netherlands and South-Africa. The Netherlands has been one of the most vigorous anti-apartheid movements in the world. Next speaker was Madam Patries van Dorst (proprietor of the gallery) she thanked all those who attended. The signing of an agreement between the Netherlands and South Africa on science and art will lead to several exchanges between the two countries in the coming years. An impressive list of established and young emerging South African artists are exhibiting: Adriaan de Villiers, Esther Mahlangu, Fortune Dlamini, Francois du Plessis, Gavin Rain, Heidi Sincuba, Ira van der Merwe, Jon Eiselin, Lehlogonolo Mashaba, Marlene Dumas, Mbongeni Buthelezi, Mia Chaplin, Mongezi Ncaphayi, Ruan Hoffmann, Samson Mnisi, Sara-J  and Thema Khumalo.

The staff of the Embassy of South-Africa, Ms.Namhla Neliswa Gigaba, Mr Lindsay Louis and others should not be forgotten as their tremendous efforts resulted in the fantastic art exhibition. Admission to the art show is by appointment. The exhibition will close on May 20th, 2016.