By Joe Ray. Her Excellency Ms Orsolya Szijjártó, Ambassador of Hungary to the Netherlands, welcomed an array of diplomats and other distinguished guests on 25th September to the opening of an exhibition in The Hague entitled Synagogues of East‐Central Europe, 1782–1944. The event, hosted in the city’s elegant Glazen Zaal, was organised by the Hungarian Embassy as part of the nation’s year-long Presidency of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA). The IHRA is an intergovernmental body consisting of 31 Member States and a further 10 Observer States, which aims to promote Holocaust education, remembrance, and research both nationally and internationally. The three-day exhibition is based on the book of architecture historian and photographer Rudolf Klein. It features evocative images and detailed descriptions of dozens of synagogues from nine countries across Central and Eastern Europe. As Péter Kirschner, President of the Hungarian Jewish Cultural Association, explains: “Synagogues embody values, identity, and dreams in stone and brick. This exhibition is a journey in space and time, displaying aspects of Jewish life and its economic and cultural flourishing within multinational empires. It offers a panoramic view of important shifts that took place as Jews came to play increasingly prominent and vital roles in the economic and cultural life of Europe, and it makes one stand dumbfounded once again at the incomprehensibility of the Holocaust.” In her welcome remarks, H.E. Ms Szijjártó emphasised the significance of Jewish culture as an integral part of Hungarian culture and history. She stressed the importance of fighting anti-Semitism, and praised the many community projects currently being undertaken in Hungary to restore ageing synagogues to their former glory. “Therefore, the government of Hungary has started a synagogue rescue programme: 15 synagogues across the country will be refurbished in 2015, as well as 1500 Jewish cemeteries within the cemetery reconstruction programme in cooperation with Jewish communities and local population, mostly students and public workers. If you visit Budapest,” she observed, “you will witness a true revival of Jewish culture.” The Ambassador was followed by Mr Szabolcs Takács, Minister of State and Chair of Hungary’s IHRA Presidency. He began by introducing guests to IHRA, a “unique and important organisation” founded fifteen years ago in Stockholm. “Its mission,” said the Minister, “is to create an international narrative of how to remember one of the greatest tragedies in the history of mankind.” He explained that IHRA exists not for political goals, but rather as an international campaign of solidarity, both to remember the tragedy itself and to try to revive some of what was lost. Mr Takács joined the Ambassador in highlighting the importance of Jewish culture in Hungarian history, and noted that despite the deaths of some 600,000 Hungarian Jews during the Holocaust, the country still has the third largest Jewish community in Europe. He further underlined the need for Holocaust education as a means of keeping memories alive, adding that it is crucial to understand “how it happened, why it happened, and what the consequences are.” A key part of this education takes the form of exhibitions and memorial events, more than 100 of which have been organised as part of Hungary’s IHRA Presidency. “Synagogues are like time capsules,” the Minister concluded. “You look at them, and history comes alive.” Ms Marianne L. van Praag, Chief Rabbi of the Liberal Jewish Congregation in The Hague, then took to the podium. She joined the Ambassador and Minister in praising the important work of the IHRA, before recounting how just two of 125 members of her mother’s pre-war family survived the Holocaust. Yet despite such overwhelming personal tragedy, she expressed positivity and optimism for the future: “As long as we have initiatives and commemorations like this, we have hope. As long as we remember them, they will not disappear.” Following the speeches, guests were treated to a masterful solo concert by Hungarian cellist Örs Kőszeghy. He opened with a classical transcription of the Jewish song Kol Nidre, and closed with a beautiful rendition of Mieczysław Weinberg’s Sonata for solo cello No. 2, Op. 86. His performance was well received, and sustained applause reverberated around the glass-roofed auditorium upon its conclusion. The programme ended with a reception, complete with Hungarian wine and traditional delicacies courtesy of the Embassy.  

  By Roy Lie A Tjam. The 24th Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan has been celebrated at a reception hosted by the nation’s Ambassador, H.E. Vladimir Norov. The Embassy of Uzbekistan with accreditation to the EU, including the Netherlands, is located in Brussels, but the Ambassador travelled to The Hague to mark this special occasion with fellow diplomats accredited to the Netherlands. For a photo-album on the 24 Anniversary of the Independence of Uzbekistan please cklick here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157659465401931

  It was a tremendous evening, full of Uzbek culture including dance by Sanam, a group headed by popular artists Mrs. Rushana Sultan ova and Mr. Shukhrat Vakhidov. There was also traditional music and cuisine. “Independence was a great event for us” observed Dr. Norov in his welcome remarks to guests. “It has totally changed the meaning and essence of our life and opened up a new page in our history. It has liberated our country and people from the chains of an old totalitarian regime, and subsequently paved the way for the establishment of a national democratic state and the building of a prosperous future.” During the course of his speech, Ambassador Vladimir Norov not only expounded on the flourishing economy of his country but also on the centuries long cooperation between Uzbekistan and the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Of particular note is the fact that Uzbek students are flocking the University of Wageningen and Leiden among others. One student in attendance praised highly the Dutch education system; he is pursuing a Masters in Wageningen, and is progressing very well. The Ambassador noted that despite the ongoing global economic crisis, Uzbekistan’s economy has grown immensely since independence; real per capita income has increased nine-fold, while life expectancy has grown from 67 to 73 years. Today, Uzbekistan ranks fifth among the fastest developing states in the world and, during the past 11 years, GDP growth rate has reached some 8 per cent. “These transformations, based upon the slogan ‘Don’t destroy the old house before constructing the new one’ have allowed us to reform all branches of the economy without losses, ensure balanced development, and set the basis for a new society” said the Ambassador. Dr. Norov, a former high ranking Civil Servant at the MFA, recounted the bumpy road toward signing the Florence Agreement on Partnership and Cooperation between Uzbekistan and the EU. This laid the legal framework for the development of bilateral relations with both European Union and its Member States, including the Netherlands. Positions held at the time, notably by the UK, were tough but the Agreement was signed and is now bearing fruit. One of the main highlights of the Ambassador’s speech was the presentation of awards. One was to Dr. Mayelinne De Lara for her personal efforts in strengthening cooperation between Uzbekistan and Diplomat Magazine and, by extension, the diplomatic community in the Netherlands.

The other award was presented to Dr. Neno Kukurić, Director of the International Groundwater Resources Assessment Centre (IGRAC). H.E. Ambassador Vladimir Norov concluded with the following words: “I would like to reiterate that the Netherlands is an important partner of Uzbekistan in Europe and we believe that the establishment of long-term and sustainable bilateral cooperation based on partnership and trust uniquely meets the interests of both countries.”