By Luca Bücken.    His Serene Highness Hereditary Prince Alois von und zu Liechtenstein was in New York on 5 June 2015 to mark the 25th anniversary of his principality’s accession as a fully-fledged UN member.   Hereditary Prince Alois paid then a courtesy call to the 8th UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as well as to a plethora of permanent representatives to the UN.   There are currently 193 members states at the United Nations. During his allocution the prince warned against “the trend to make international regulations in other more exclusive groups. Integrating small states in the decision process creates moreover more creativity and innovation”. For Prince Alois UN membership has “strengthened the sovereignty of the country and offered an extraordinary platform for the international profile of the country”.   Liechstenstein’s Permanent Representative to the UN is Ambassador Christian Wenaweser.   Just a few weeks before his trip to New York, Prince Alois’ wife, HRH Hereditary Princess Sophie had taken over the Liechtenstein chapter of the Red Cross from her mother-in-law, Fürstin Marie. On 12 May 2015, the charitable organisation fêted seventy years of existence in the principality; the celebration included a speech from Liechtenstein’s Premier Adrian Hasler and the ceremony wherein Fürstin Marie passed on the honorary presidency to the Hereditary Princess of Liechtenstein, Duchess in Bavaria.     For more information:   Permanent Representation of the Principality of Liechtenstein to the UN: www.regierung.li/ministerien/ministerium-fuer-aeusseres-bildung-und-kultur/diplomatische-vertretungen/englisch/new-york-usa/current-issues/   Red Cross in Liechtenstein: www.roteskreuz.li  

  By Martin Kammandel & Luca Bücken.   For the first time in four years the Embassy of Canada accredited from Brussels to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg organised a formal reception to celebrate seventy years of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in the aftermath of World War II. In fact some members of the Grand Ducal House took refuge in Canada after the German invasion of the Grand Duchy on 10 May 1940. For instance, His Royal Highness Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg, father of the incumbent Grand Duke Henri, studied Law and Political Science at the Université Laval in Québec City during this period.     The diplomatic reception was held at the majestic Cercle Cité located in the historic centre of Luxembourg City. Guest of honour was the Luxembourgish Minister of Finance, M Pierre Gramegna who also delivered a speech highlighting the special friendship between the two countries. Canadian ambassador to Luxembourg, M Denis Robert, likewise held an allocution featuring the historic ties between the two countries. Thereafter Canadian baritone (based in Luxembourg) David Pike sang “Ons Heemecht” (Luxembourg’s national anthem) followed by the French and English versions of “O Canada”. The rest of the evening was entertained with the background music of Canadian jazz singer and pianist, Ann Vriend, who arrived to the Grand Duchy all the way from her home in Calgary, Alberta. Several ambassadors accredited to Luxembourg attended the celebration including German Ambassador Christine Gläser and her Nipponese colleague, Ambassador Atsuko Nishimura.     Albeit the Canadian embassy to Luxembourg is based in Brussels, the country does have a rather active honorary consul resident in the Grand Duchy, Marie-Claire Goller. In North America the Luxembourgian embassy based in Washington D.C. is also accredited to Canada. Nevertheless the Grand Duchy is equally represented by honorary consuls in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montréal.   For more information  Embassy of Canada to Luxembourg (non-resident) and Belgium: www.canadainternational.gc.ca/belgium-belgique/index.aspx?lang=eng Canadian-Luxembourgian diplomatic relations: www.canadainternational.gc.ca/belgium-belgique/bilateral_relations_bilaterales/canada_luxembourg_relations.aspx?lang=eng&menu_id=29 Ambassador Denis Robert: www.canadainternational.gc.ca/belgium-belgique/offices-bureaux/ambassador_biography-biographie_ambassadeur.aspx?lang=eng   ———- Pictures © Ambassade du Canada – Embassy of Canada    

By Duke Michael of Mecklenburg & Baron Henri Estramant.   Probably the largest reconstruction of the I French Empire period ever arranged took place at Waterloo in Belgium between 18 and 21 June 2015 with the reenactment of the Battle of Waterloo, which two hundreds years ago sealed the fate of Napoléon I and his French Empire over Europe. Belgian authorities served as hosts to the high-level protocolary functions which marked another kind of European reconciliation in a spirit of unity and peace. In the words of Belgium’s Prime Minister Charles Michel “more than a battle, I would like to celebrate reconciliation” in an allocution he delivered partially in French, Dutch and English. “Waterloo represents a process wherein enemy forces fiercely combated one another, and created a tragic shock. And it is this rather violent shock, which later allows for a firmer unity and a more solid harmony. This is the reality of the European project”, continued Prime Minister Charles Michel.     The heads of state of the neighbouring countries as well as other high dignitaries partook at the commemoration. Their Majesties The King and Queen of the Netherlands, Their Royal Highnesses The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent, Prince Edward of the United Kingdom (a cousin of Queen Elizabeth II) who also serves as Lieutenant-Colonel of the “Royal Scots Grey” regiment, which historically partook in the battle back on 18 June 1815. France was represented by its ambassador to Belgium, M Bernard Valero, Germany, heir of victorious Prussia, by Ambassador Dr. Eckart Cuntz and the UK by Ambassador Alison Rose. Netherlands Ambassador Henne Schuwer accompanied the Dutch royal couple.      During his intervention the Dutch First Vice-President of the European Commission, Commissioner for Better Regulation, Inter-Institutional Relations, Rule of Law and Charter of Fundamental Rights, Frans Timmermans, stated “our destiny is bringing together the peoples of Europe”. Wreaths were laid at a monument commemorating the war, and honouring the approximately 15,000 men who lost their lives at Waterloo. Thereafter a rather symbolic handshake was pictured for immortality amongst The Honorable Marquess of Douro, Arthur Wellesley (heir of His Grace the IX Duke of Wellington, Prince of Waterloo, Duke de Ciudad Rodrigo and HRH Princess Antonia of Prussia, coincidentally a great-granddaughter of the last German Kaiser), His Serene Highness Fürst Nikolaus Blücher von Wahlstatt (descendant of Field Marshall Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher) and His Imperial Highness The Prince Napoléon, Jean-Christophe (Head of France’s former Imperial House but not a direct descendant of Napoléon I but of his brother, Jérôme, King of Westphalia). The protocolary festivities were closed with fifteen canon salutes, and a dinner hosted by Their Majesties The King and Queen of the Belgians.   For more information Waterloo 2015: www.waterloo2015.org/en Royal Scots Grey: http://royalscotsgrey.com/0/  

  By Roy Lie A Tjam. For the ninth consecutive year, the Residentie Orkest organized the Hofvijverconcert – Festival Classique. The objective of the Festival Classique is to present classical music on a mayor scale in The Hague. The performances were on a floating stage and the program was a mélange of classical music, dance and theatre.   For a photo-album of the Festival Classique, please click here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/sets/72157654652627558 On Saturday June 20, 2015, the climax of the four day long programme of music and dance took place on the Hofvijver, adjacent to the Binnenhof Parliament complex. Approximately, 2,700 individuals attended the event, with the show broadcasted live on TV channel NPO 3.   The title for the 2015 edition of the Festival Classique was ‘Sparks, the inspiration being that classical music will hopefully spark an interest and touch the hearts of those yet not familiar with it. The festival was a complete musical and theatrical experience with romantic music performed by the Residentie Orkest, conducted by Joshua Weilerstein The concert featured a dance from Igor Stravinsky’s ‘Firebird’, the Overture-Fantasy from Tchaikovsky’s ‘ Romeo and Juliet’, and ‘Dances from Galanta’ by Zoltan Kadaly,  all performed by the renowned international dance company Club Guy & Roni. Henceforth, the Residentie Orkest has a new home on the beach of Scheveningen. It is said  to be the best auditorium in the country.     As Mayor Jozias van Aarten of Den Haag observed, Den Haag is bubbling with activities. Hosting Vlaggetjesdag, Festival Classique, the Volvo Ocean Race, Veteranenegad and the World Volleyball tournament, Parkpop. Den Haag is truly a city bustling with life. Coming soon is the  anniversary and celebration of the arrival of Mozart in Den Haag some 200 years ago.        

Photography, courtesy of L’Academie francaise. L’Académie française has welcomed its newest “immortal” member, the Quebecer Dany Laferrière.   By Roy Lie A Tjam. On Thursday 28^th May 2015, the novelist Dany Laferrière was received in a solemn ceremony under the Dome of L’Académie française by Mr. Amin Maalouf, becoming the first Canadian of Haitian origin to be admitted to the prestigious hemicycle of L’Academie française. It was a great personal honour to have attended the session under the Dome of L’Académie française, an exclusive gathering in the presence of many international dignitaries. As one of Caribbean origin, it was indeed momentous to witness a son of the Caribbean with the calibre of Dany Laferrière being inducted into such a prestigious institution.   For a full photo-album on this memorable occasion, please click here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/sets/72157652673829803     L’Académie Française was established by Cardinal Richelieu in 1635 during the reign of Louis XIII. The mandate of this exclusive institution is to maintain the purity and integrity of the French language. The members of L’Académie française are known as the Immortals, referring to the immortality of the language rather than the individual. Laferrière will occupy chair no. F2 in the 40-seat body. L’Académie française is an institution which holds true to its customs. Following in the footsteps of his predecessors, Dany Laferrière delivered his oration of acceptance and subsequently paid homage to his predecessor of chair F2, Mr. Hector Bianciotti. In line with tradition, Mr. Amin Maalouf who presided over the ceremony then responded to Dany Laferrière’s acceptance speech.     Sublimely outfitted, Dany sported a magnificent green coat created by Quebec designer Jean-Claude Poitras which required 650 hours of work to complete – including 500hrs dedicated solely to embroidery. At his side hung a sword fashioned in Haiti by sculptor Patrick Vilaire, Dany the man: Dany Laferrière, né Windsor Klébert Laferrière after his father, was born in Port-au-Prince in Haïti 62 years ago. His father was the mayor of Port au-Prince and a staunch opponent of President Duvalier. Laferrière Sr. eventually fled into exile, an act which adversely affected his family. Upon his father’s departure, the then-five year old Dany and his siblings grew up under the care of their grandmother in the southern city of Petit-Goâve. It was his grandmother Da, a well-educated woman, who inculcated in Dany his love of literature and poetry. In L’Odeur du café (1991) he pays a fond tribute to her. Seven of his books have been translated into English, and some also have been translated into Spanish, Korean, and Swedish. He is one of the few writers of his generation to be as well known in English as he is in French.     What more could be said of Dany Laferrière? He is elegant, reserved, approachable and courteous. Always himself and always modest, he is thoughtful, sincere and playful. He will be comfortable among his peers at the Academy where he occupies the second seat, that of the illustrious Montesquieu but also that of the giant, the mulatto from Haiti: Alexandre Dumas (son) grandson of a black slave woman, Dumas.   In 1976, after the assassination of his journalist friend Gasner Raymond, Dany Laferrière did as his father did before him and went into exile. For almost a decade he did odd jobs and worked as a journalist in Montreal, while writing at night to exorcise his pain. In 1985, Dany published his first novel: “How to make love to a Negro without getting tired.” It was an immediate success, translated into eleven languages. To date, Dany has written 23 books, the first of which will be made into a film. Another, “The Enigma of the Return” (2009), received the Prix Médicis. Membership of L’Académie française is considered the highest honour in French literature, as it is the oldest institution to bring French writers together to support and preserve the French language. Dany Laferrière joins the ranks of literary greats such Voltaire, Victor Hugo, Montesquieu, Dumas and Lafontaine. Dany Laferrièe is also the second black person to be admitted to L’Académie française, the first being Senegalese President and writer Mr. Leopold Sédar Senghor. The following French distinctions have been bestowed upon Dany Laferrière: Commandeur de la Légion d’honneur Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres Commandeur de l’ordre de la Pléiade   Various dignitaries attended Dany Laferriere’s induction, including French President François Hollande, Fleur Pellerin, Ministre de la Culture, and Annick Girardin, Secrétaire d’état à la Francophonie & Développement. They were joined by Philippe Couillard, Premier Ministre of Québec, Hélène David, Ministre de la Culture Québec, H.E. Dithny Joan Raton, Ministre de Culture République d’Haïti, and Madame Joëlle Milquet, Ministre de la Culture de la Confédération Francophone de Belgique. Also in attendance were Monsieur Pierre Karl Pélandeau, Chef de l’opposition du Québec, H. E. Ambassador Lawrence Canonn of Canada to France, S.E Madame Vanessa Matignon, Ambassadeur de la République d’Haïti to France, Madame Michaèle Jean, Secrétaire Générale de L’Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, Françoise David, Michèle Pierre-Louis, Lorraine Mangonès, The Minister of Patrimoine Canadien et des Langues officielles, Shelly Glover. Moreover, many distinguished writers from Haiti, Québec, Guadeloupe, France and Africa were present for the ceremony. Haiti and Canada are rightly proud of Dany, a Canadian citizen born in Haiti in 1953 whose achievements were so aptly celebrated on 28^th May. His induction into French literature’s greatest institution is a reason to rejoice. “I was born in Haïti but born a writer in Québec,” declared Dany Laferrière.