By Baron Henri Estramant. Till 28 August 2015, the Casa do Brasil (Avenue Louise/Louizalaan 350, Brussels) is hosting a colour as well as black and white photographic exhibition of pictures taken by King Leopold III of Belgium in the 1960s. Between 1962 and 1967 the former monarch paid several visits to Mato Grosso and different regions of the Amazons. He was an avid photographer who captured images mixing the beauty of the tropical forest as well as scenes of quotidian life. Likewise King Leopold III is featured in complicity with the locals. The actual collection comprises more than 50 000 images of his global expeditions. In Brussels the exhibition is being curated by Cristina Barros Greindl, member of the Funds Leopold III and Maria Izabel Branco Ribeiro, Director of the Museum of the Foundation Alvares Penteado located in São Paulo. The exhibition itself was displayed already back in 2010 at São Paulo at the Museu de Arte Brasileria of the Fundação Armando Alvares Penteado, in 2011 at the Museu de Artes e Oficio in Brasilia and in 2013 at Brazil’s parliament. In Belgium it was first exhibited at La Hulpe in 2011 thanks to the Fondation Folon. This time the exhibition at the Casa do Brasil is being supported by the Funds Leopold III. The vernissage was patronised by HRH Princess Esmeralda of Belgium, Lady Moncada, President of the Funds Leopold III and Brazil’s ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg, HE Sr. André Amado. Leopold III participated in the first expeditions of the brothers Villas Boas to the communities of the indigenous Txicão. In fact, the king did not only live beside the tribes but shared their meals, and customs during his stay. These experiences provided him with a “feeling of a secret fraternal identity with all men, regardless their origins, beliefs or civilisations”. For the motive he created the “King Leopold III Fund for Nature Exploration and Conservation”. Leopold III was the IV King of the Belgians between 1934 and 1951. For more information: Fonds Léopold III: www.naturalsciences.be/LIII/FRFolon Foundation: http://fondationfolon.be/en/Embassy of Brazil to Belgium and Luxembourg: http://bruxelas.itamaraty.gov.br/pt-br/agenda_cultural.xml
Festival celebrates 250 years of Mozart in The Hague and pays homage to the famous composer
One of the most famous visitors to The Hague ever was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. This year marks the 250th anniversary of the Mozart family’s visit to The Hague.
The anniversary will be celebrated 10-15 September 2015 with the festival “Mozart in The Hague” in which Mozart’s music is omnipresent – original, modified, ‘applied’ and in concert.
The festival is a reflection of the diversity that characterizes the works of Mozart. Of course there is a prominent role for music. We were able to connect some wonderful performers with the festival, including Johannette Zomer, Ton Koopman and Tini Mathot, Menno van Delft,The Hague Philharmonic conducted byJan Willem de Vriend, Residentie Bach Choir, The Hague Matrozenkoor and pianist Daria van den Bercken.
During the Amadeus contest young talents get a chance to show what they can.
Residents and visitors to the city will be surprised with outdoor music. The carillon is played and wind ensembles will perform arrangements of Mozart’s opera music. There are talks and walks, there is an exhibition in the Historical Museum.
The Foundation Mozart in The Hague was founded in July 2014 and has quickly prepared a varied and contrasting program. It is the desire of the organisation to achieve co-operation and cohesion in the city.
Collaboration has been sought and found with the activities of the National Heritage Day and Prinsjesdag Festival, but also existing concert series have been asked to programme their concerts in the festival period around Mozart. The festival provides a platform for professionals and amateurs.
Artistic director of the festival is harpsichordist, conductor and composer Jörn Boysen (*1976). The full program and ticket information of the festival is available on www.mozartindenhaag.nl.
You can also follow the festival on Twitter (https://twitter.com/mozartindenhaag) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/mozartindenhaag).
See the festival brochure via http://www.mozartindenhaag.nl/nieuws/id/13/23-6-2015/festivalbrochure-online/
Organization Mozart in The Hague
Board of directors:
Jean-Pierre de Vos – chairman
Ellen van der Sar – secretary and festivalmanager
Jos Rijntjes – treasurer
Artistic director: Jörn Boysen – harpsichordist, conductor and composer
Recommending Committee:
The board of the Mozart Foundation in The Hague has the support of several prominent figures, who recommend our activities wholeheartedly:
Karel de Rooij – cabaret and regisseur
Leo Samama – musicologist and composer
Liza Ferschtman – violinist
Maartje van Weegen – presenter and journalist
Mozart (k) ring Gelredome / Niederrhein
Pauline Oostenrijk – oboist and schrijfster
Ton Koopman – organist, conductor and harpsichordist
Information:
info@mozartindenhaag.nl
www.mozartindenhaag.nl
Mozart in The Hague is sponsored by the following organizations:
Fonds 1818, Gemeente Den Haag, Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds Mozart-Wagner Fonds, Cultuurschakel, Hendrik Muller Fonds, Gravin van Bylandt Stichting en Stichting Orlanda Goban.
Visit the Moroccan experience, ZieZo Marokko, from 17 October 2015.On 17 October the Moroccan experience, ZieZo Marokko, opens in the Tropenmuseum Junior. Young and old travel together with Esmaa, Fatima, Nasrdin and Yousef. They talk about their lives: about their parents’ country, what it was like to grow up in the Netherlands, what they’ve discovered in Morocco and what inspires them. ZieZo Marokko is a theatrical spectacle that excites all the senses.The experience starts in the plane. Having landed in Morocco a tour guide takes the visitors through the medina, a maze of narrow streets and alleys. Behind every door and round each corner, a new surprise awaits. You can do wall graffiti in calligraphy or puzzle over a mosaic pattern in the courtyard of a Riad. You can play an aroma game in the kitchen or arrange a Moroccan fashion shop window.Oldest children’s museum in the NetherlandsThe Tropenmuseum Junior first opened its doors 40 years ago, also with an exhibition about Morocco. It’s the oldest children’s museum in the Netherlands and one of the oldest in Europe. The museum is renowned for its appealing teaching method: seeing, touching, experiencing and participating. The experience is a unique combination of the museum collection, personal stories and activities in a theatrical environment. The Tropenmuseum Junior’s general objective is to stimulate an open outlook. Practical informationThe Tropenmuseum Junior is open every Saturday and Sunday and daily during school holidays. There are Junior Journeys (6 – 13 years) and Family Journeys (all ages). The journeys start at set times and are offered in English on request. For more information see www.tropenmuseumjunior.nl. It is advisable to reserve via reserveren@tropenmuseum.nl or +31 (0)88 0042 840. On school days the Tropenmuseum Junior is only open to school groups.
The European Commission is to launch an in-depth investigation to examine whether the proposed acquisition of TNT Express by FedEx Corporation is in line with the EU Merger Regulation.
Both companies are major players on the world market for courier services. The Commission is concerned that, in a number of European markets for international express shipments and normal (so-called “delayed”) small consignments, the merged entity will encounter only two remaining players: UPS and DHL.
This could potentially lead to higher prices for business customers and consumers. The Commission now has 90 working days, until December 8, 2015, to examine the proposed acquisition and to determine whether these initial concerns are well founded.
The fact that a thorough inquiry is being undertaken is in line with EU competition policy, and says nothing about the final outcome.
Margrethe Vestager, Commissioner responsible for competition policy, stated the following in this context: “allbusinesses, and especially electronic commerce, rely heavily on affordable and reliable courier services, and many consumers rely on these services for fast and safe delivery of the goods they have purchased. The Commission shouldthen also ensure that the acquisition of TNT by FedEx does not impede effective competition and would not result in higher prices for consumers.”
On the picture H. E. Alireza Jahangiri Ambassador of Iran, H. E. Abdelouahab Bellouki, Ambassador of Morocco and his wife.By Roy Lie A Tjam.
The Kingdom of Morocco is a constitutional monarchy, and every year the country commemorates the monarch’s enthronement with a day of celebration known as Throne Day.
For a complete photo-album by Diplomat Magazine photographer Robert Huiberts on Morocco’s Throne Day, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/sets/72157656734402455Judge Silvia Fernandez de Gurmendi, President of the International Criminal Court , H. E. Abdelouahab Bellouki and his wife.
His Majesty Mohammed VI became King of Morocco 1999 following the death of his father King Hassan II.H. E. Philippe Couvreur Registrar of the International court of Justice together with H. E. Abdelouahab Bellouki Ambassador of Morocco and his wife.
On the occasion of the 16th anniversary of the accession of H.M. King Mohamed VI to the Throne, His Excellency Mr. Abdelouahab Bellouki, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to the Netherlands, held a reception at the Hilton Hotel in The Hague.
Natalia Timoshenko, H. E. Abdelouahab Bellouki and his wife following by H. E. Olexander Horin Ambassador of Ukraine.
Dozens of fellow diplomats, patriots and others came to congratulate the Ambassador and his wife on this memorable day. The Ambassador and his spouse were both charmingly clad in Moroccan national attire.
H. E. Ahmet Üzümcü, Director General of the OPCW, H. E. Abdelouahab Bellouki and his wife.
They were also excellent and amiable hosts who took the time to welcome and thank each and every guest.
All told, the Moroccan Throne Day 2015 celebration in the Netherlands was a great success.
By H.E . Vestine Nahimana, Ambassador of Burundi.
The Embassy of Burundi in The Hague would like bring to the attention of the international public as follows :
The Embassy of Burundi in The Hague welcomes the successful holding of parliamentary elections, presidential and senatorial which took place in June and July 2015. Observers in good faith all agree to say that these elections were free, and have been largely inclusive if we consider the composition of the National Assembly (CNDD-FDD COALITION AMIZERO Y’ABARUNDI, UPRONA, TWA) and the number of candidates for the presidency (8 candidates in all).
The turnout of 74.44% in the parliamentary elections, 73.44% in presidential elections and over 90% in the senatorial elections amply demonstrates that Burundians have responded to this electoral appointment in peace and without any constraint.
Through these elections, the people of Burundi have expressed their deep desire to renew the Republican institutions through the democratic process. She has only one aspiration: peace and development.
However, the Burundi Embassy in The Hague deplores the attitude of some of our compatriots who for sectarian interests, set themselves up as the People’s Advocate with the sole aim to torpedo the election process and consequently destabilizing Burundian institutions.
They tried by organizing a popular uprising but the people of Burundi have always shown its commitment to the values of peace and tranquility by supporting institutions that they themself established.
They also tried with a military coup on May 13, 2015 but they have not succeeded there too because of the determination of forces loyal to defend the people and institutions of the Republic was of a magnitude unprecedented.
There are even those who nurtured presidential ambitions for a long time but, by the simple fact that their projects were not successful, sought to paralyze the proper functioning of institutions by simulating their leaks.
The lasts actions to date were rebel attacks against the peaceful citizens of Kayanza and Cibitoke and were quickly mastered.
In all cases, the lifeblood of the nation have always led a joint action to defend the best interests of the Burundian people and national sovereignty, and as such deserves thanks.
The Embassy of the Republic of Burundi in The Hague thinks primarily to H.E Pierre NKURUNZIZA, President of the Republic of Burundi and Supreme Commander of the Defense and Security Forces with his Government who, despite the turbulent times, have held on and just bring the people of Burundi to port.
The Embassy of the Republic of Burundi in The Hague welcomes a lot all the whole National Defense Body for his patriotism and ability to neutralize all the enemies of peace in record time.
The Embassy of the Republic of Burundi to The Hague makes it more fitting tribute to the Members of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), which, despite the difficult working environment, did their best to organize an electoral process consistent with international standards and, above all, a credible electoral process.
Everyone remembers the pressures, political dishonesty of some of our politicians who dreamed of a transitional government to which they had to face, but they stood by their patriotic spirit and professionalism.
The Embassy of the Republic of Burundi in The Hague finally congratulate the Burundian population for its political maturity. Our thanks also go to the location of all our partners and those who have contributed in any way to the success of these elections.
The Embassy of the Republic of Burundi in The Hague seizes this opportunity to condemn once again, some of our compatriots who have adopted a bellicose behavior instead of uniting with the rest of the population in the promotion of dialogue and development work. We strongly condemns the attacks of Kayanza and Cibitoke and calls the international community as a whole to condemn any attempt to destabilize Burundi.
Finally, the Burundi Embassy in the Hague calls on all partners of Burundi, the UN, the European Union, the African Union and the countries of the sub-region to support the institutions created by the 2015 elections. These are institutions established through the will of the Burundians who are only holder of national sovereignty. They therefore deserve the trust of everyone.
On the picture Ambassadors Ole Moesby from Denmark and Moazam Ahmad Khan from Pakistan. Photography by Ann Daly.By Roy Lie A Tjam
His Majesty the King of Fruits, otherwise known as the Pakistani mango, graced the ballroom of the Hilton Hotel in The Hague on Wednesday 22 July 2015.
The 12th Annual Exhibition of Pakistani Mangoes, held under the auspices of the Commercial Wing of the Embassy of Pakistan in The Hague and Diplomat Magazine was once again a successful tradeshow and reception. There was ample opportunity to enjoy not only mangoes but also the catering by Anokha restaurant as well as the music.
In his welcome remarks, Commercial Counselor Zahid Ali Abbasi stressed the significant role of the Netherlands when it comes to the importation of Pakistani mangoes into Europe – the Netherlands is the continent’s second largest importer. Moreover, the country is one of the main gateways into to the EU and its single market.
For a photo album on the 12th Pakistani Mango exhibition, please click open here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/sets/72157654368189164Anokha owner and Pakistani Commercial Counselor Zahid Ali Abbasi .
However, despite its popularity, the Pakistani mango still has advancements to make into the mainstream consumer market in Europe. The fruit is obtainable in the months between May and October, when there is little or no seasonal supply from competitors in the market. With the assistance of the TDAP and USAID, the shelf-life of the mango has been increased to between 35 and 40 days.
The message to the European market is simple – the Pakistani mango is King of Fruits and is here to stay.
Pakistani mango served at Hilton Hotel in The Hague.
The Ambassador of Pakistan to the Netherlands, H.E. Mr. Moazam Ahmad Khan, expressed his gratitude to the TDAP (Trade Development Authority of Pakistan) for its support.
Pakistani mangoes are continuously adding their exotic flavor to the Dutch taste, he said. Increasing the shelf-life of the mango has contributed immensely to the popularity of the Pakistani mango in the Netherlands.
Matthew Blong from Vimpelcom and H. E. Moazam Khan.
Pakistani mangoes are famous for their taste, aroma and color, and are widely considered in Europe, the US and elsewhere as one of the most delicious of all exotic fruit. There are over a hundred varieties of mangoes: chaunsa, sindhri, anwar to name but a few.
H. E. Olexander Horin and his wife Natalia Tymoshenko.
Mango production in Pakistan is a huge business, and they are produced at certified farms and processed in HACCP certified facilities.
Photography by Hans Mooren.By Roy Lie A Tjam.
The South African Embassy in The Hague participated and supported the 2015 edition of the Kweku Summer Festival, 17 July – 9 August 2015 at Nelson Mandela Park, Amsterdam.
H.E. Mr. Bruce V Koloane with some participants.“Honour the Life and Legacy of Mr Nelson Mandela”
The Kweku Summer Festival is a grand celebration of cultural diversity and identity. The main ingredients are culture, music, and food of Caribbean, African and Latin American heritage. The average attendance is about 15.000 people per day, and can run up towards 200.000 visitors in the whole festival period.
Kweku is one of the iconic festivals of Amsterdam City Marketing. It is of the same calibre as Holland Festival and the international documentary festival Amsterdam, IDFA.
Amsterdam has had a very special relationship with Madiba and South Africa’s struggle for liberation in that it housed one of the most active anti-Apartheid movements and as such the city was the scene of numerous anti-Apartheid demonstrations during the 1980s. The city also housed the ANC Chief Representative Office in 1989.
Ambassador Bruce V Koloane during the event.
The 2015 edition of the Kweku Summer Festival was opened by Marjorie da Cunha, board member of the festival. In her welcome remarks, Da Cunha not only warmly welcomed the Ambassador of South Africa, Ambassadors, and the MEC of Eastern Cape, but also expressed her gratitude for the very pleasant cooperation in preparing the festival with the Embassy of South Africa.
H.E. Mr. Bruce V Koloane, Ambassador of South Africa, was the next speaker. He was followed by Mr. Sakkies Somyo, MEC for the Province of Eastern Cape, who traveled to Amsterdam with a delegation especially for the festival. Mr. Nelson Mandela himself hailed from the Eastern Cape Province.
July 18th, International Mandela Day, was henceforth officially launched.
The program proceeded with literature, music ‘Berita’, dance, poetry by Diana Ferrus and a fashion show featuring traditional styles from the Eastern Cape. Guests were treated to a range of South African delicacies such as Boerewors, potjie kos, pap and sause.
CLICK ON THE LINK FOR FULL STORY AT AD DEN HAAG NEWSPAPER. https://flic.kr/p/vQEcwe
Local AD Den Haag newspaper covering Diplomat Magazine´s 2nd Anniversary at World Belair Hotel in June, 2015. Dr. Mayelinne De Lara, Publisher, Dr. Eugenio Matos, Minister Counselor at the Dominican Embassy in Buenos Aires, Roy Lie, Editor and some distinguished volunteers, contributing writers and representatives from Diplomatic Card paid a courtesy visit to commemorate this unique event in The Hague.
For a photo-album on this special occasion, please click here:https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/sets/72157652929393794
On the picture Ambassador Chen Xu.By Roy Lie A Tjam.H.E. Mr. Chen Xu, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Netherlands, on Thursday July 16 hosted a reception to say farewell to one Political Counselor and welcome his successor.
For a photo album please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/sets/72157656449345265Mr. Liu Chun.Mr. Liu Chun will soon be leaving the Netherlands after serving as the political advisor to Ambassador Chen Xu for the past two years. He is returning to the MFA in China to take up a new post. In his valediction speech, Liu Chun expressed his love of and admiration for the Netherlands and noted that the famous Dutch tulip originates from China, ending up in the Netherlands via Turkey. Political Counselor Liu Chun, Ambassador Chen Xu and the new political Counselor Chen Ribiao.His successor Mr. Chen Ribiaowas welcomed at the same reception. Chen Ribiao is no stranger to the Netherlands. He studied here some twenty years ago, and is fluent in the Dutch language. His entire speech was in Dutch.Along with the departing and arriving Political Counselors, Ambassador Chen Xu applauded the strong relationship between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the People’s Republic of China. Ambassador Chen Xu also fondly referred to the historical visit of his President Mr.Xi Jinpingto the Netherlands in order to attend the NIS summit in 2014.
