The theme of the 28th Japanese Public Speaking Contest, organized by the Embassy of Japan, was ‘What I like about Japan and don’t like so much about Japan’. Some twenty participants with or without a background in Japanese studies had 5 minutes to speak about Japanese cultural elements that they are attracted to and about aspects of Japan that they fancy less. An expert panel headed by the Ambassador of Japan judged who presented the most original and well-structured speech in fluent Japanese. The winners received wonderful prizes handed to them by representatives of the sponsoring companies, including a trip to Japan with home-stay, digital cameras, dinner tickets, cultural goods, etc. The speech contest was held on Saturday March 7th, 2015 at the Bel Air Hotel in The Hague. The event was open to the public. Over one hundred people enjoyed the speeches and the wonderful atmosphere.
Mr. Stephan van der Meulen, General Manager of Worldhotel Bel Air.
New Zealand Ambassador Janet Lowe was delighted to be present at the Volvo Ocean Race party in Worldhotel Bel Air The Hague.
On 8th March the Worldhotel Bel Air – official hotel partner of the Volvo Ocean Race Festival The Hague – hosted a party with the New Zealand Ambassador to the Netherlands Janet Lowe to celebrate the departure of the Volvo Ocean Race boats from Auckland. The plan was to watch the boats live on TV as they sailed out of Auckland harbour to their next destination Itajai in Brazil. However due to bad weather caused by Cyclone Pam (which wrecked havoc in Vanuatu) the race organisers sensibly decided to postpone the departure date. As Ambassador Lowe said, “This is the Volvo Ocean Race not the Ocean Survival Race!”.Dutch Volvo Ocean Race media manager Diana Bogaards Mr. Stephan van der Meulen, General Manager of Worldhotel Bel Air, New Zealand Ambassador to the Netherlands Janet Lowe, Hermann Megenthaler, who sailed for Mexico in the 1984 Olympic Games, Joanne McCauley Executive Assistant to the Ambassador.
Regarding the Auckland stopover, the Ambassador noted: “New Zealand is a sailing nation. Be it as a hobby, lifestyle or career, New Zealanders have a strong affinity with the sea. You can hardly drive an hour in our country without hitting the coast, and Kiwis can be found sailing all over the world. Abel Tasman (who ‘discovered’ New Zealand) and James Cook were the first to reach our island country from Europe on sailing ships. And Auckland, which is known as the “City of Sails”, has more boats per capita than any city in the world. New Zealanders are therefore delighted to be hosting the Volvo Ocean Race once again”.Mr. Stephan van der Meulen, General Manager of Worldhotel Bel Air, Dutch Volvo Ocean Race media manager Diana Bogaards and New Zealand Ambassador to the Netherlands Janet Lowe.
Dutch Volvo Ocean Race media manager Diana Bogaards gave a fascinating presentation on the history and background of the Volvo Ocean Race and the special features of the current race that departed from Alicante, Spain, in October 2014. “There is no prize money. It’s all about the sport and the honour and glory of winning”, she said. One of the guests was Hermann Megenthaler, who sailed for Mexico in the 1984 Olympic Games. Meanwhile the departure from Auckland has taken place on Tuesday 17 March with all the boats leaving safely for Itajai, Brazil.
For a full photo-album of the event, please click here:https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/sets/72157649097288433/
“Most people tend to open a bottle of red wine when having roast chicken, whereas a good bottle of sweet white wine would be a better choice as it enhances the taste of the meat”. Romke Van Dijk, wine merchant and walking encyclopedia, has just opened the doors of his own wine tasting establishment. “People often overlook an excellent food and wine marriage because they simply don’t know which wine best matches a certain course. I want to share this knowledge together with my love of wine”.
The wine tasting establishment on the Groot Hertoginnelaan can be used for lectures, drinks parties, wine-tasting events and corporate or company meetings. Each event can be fine-tuned according to the wishes and needs of the customer.
Romke’s enthusiasm tends to run away with him but you won’t tire of listening. “Yes, I like to talk, but not about myself. That’s one subject I don’t find particularly interesting. Making people happy and teaching them about which wine best accompanies with which meal, or vice versa, is my biggest challenge”. The world of wine is infinite and constantly moving. A never ending source of craftsmanship and unique knowledge. “I am always deeply moved by the beauty of the wine and its producers”.
Romke definitely knows where to find his wine, but not only wine. He sources the ingredients he works with himself. They don’t come from bulk wholesalers. “I prefer to get my products from producers who treat them with passion and respect. Where everything is fresh and not processed. These people have turned work into craftsmanship and you can taste that in the product”. This knowledge and authenticity can be found at the wine-tasting establishment in the most beautiful wines and most delicious dishes delivered with spirited professionalism.
For more information:
Romke’s wijn en spijs Groot Hertoginnelaan 229 2517 ET Den Haag
070 3060029 06 55861288 info@romkeswijnenspijs.nl / www.romkeswijnenspijs.nl
By Roy Lie A Tjam.
What was to be a joyous celebration of Tunisian national pride in The Hague turned into a bittersweet commemoration as a terrorist attack hit the prestigious Bardo Museum in Tunis, the capital of Tunisia, on Wednesday March 18. Over twenty individuals, many of them tourists, lost their lives amidst the carnage. Never before has Tunisia experienced such a brutal attack on its own soil.
For full photo-album of the event, please click here:https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/sets/72157651055630490/
The following day, an extensive number of Ambassadors, judges and senior civil servants attended the National Day event and gave their solidarity and support to H.E. Karim Ben Becher, Ambassador for Tunisia. The Tunisian Ambassador is a distinguished member of the Diplomatic Corps in the Netherlands; a man known for his fidelity and friendliness.
In his welcome remarks, Ambassador Karim Ben Becher, thanked all those who have sent messages of encouragement and solidarity. Furthermore, he explained his country’s determination to continue on the road it has embarked upon since the Jasmine Revolution several years ago-the road of full democracy.
Tunisia will not be deterred by a terrorist attack and remains adamant that the security of its people and of visitors will be guaranteed. The Tunisian-born former Mayor of Paris, Mr. Bertrand Delanoe, declared that the attacks in Paris, Copenhagen and Tunis are attacks against human dignity. The Bardo museum is expected to reopen next Tuesday.
By Roy Lie A Tjam.
Pilgrimage to Mecca was the theme chosen for the afternoon soiree organised by the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia with Aramco Overses Company,
H.E. Ambassador Mr. Abdul-Aziz Abohaimed, and Aramco Overseas Company’s Managing Director, Mr. Fahad Abdulkareem , started at the Rijksmuseum Volkenkunde (the Dutch National Museum for World Cultures) with the inauguration of a permanent “Pilgrimage to Mecca” gallery in the museum on Tuesday March 17.
For a photo-album of the event, please click open here:https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/sets/72157651461022311/
Subsequently, at the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden in Leiden, Mr. Stroomer, a linguist, gave a lecture regarding inscriptions on “Palm sticks”. The evening proceeded with the very lively Leiden-Aramco Lecture on Ancient Arabian Civilization: “Ancient Arabia: Forgotten Civilizations at the Heart of the Ancient Near East” by Michael Macdonald of Oxford University.
On a same note, the launch of the LeiCenSAA, Leiden Center for the Study of Ancient Arabica, under the eminent directorship of Dr. Achmed Al-Jallad took place. The evening concluded with a reception.
Ambassador Rustamjon Soliev.
March 17, 2015 in Brussels a reception was hosted at the European Parliament on the occasion of the International Day of Navruz at the initiative of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Tajikistan to the European Union and with the support of the President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz.Mrs. Iveta Grigule, Chair of the European Parliament Delegation for Relations with Central Asian countries.
Among the organizers of the event also were the diplomatic missions in Brussels of Afghanistan, Ambassador Homayoun Tandar, Azerbaijan, Ambassador Fuad Isgandarov, India, Ambassador Manjeev Singh Puri, Kyrgyzstan, Ambassador Asein Isaev, Pakistan, Ambassador Naghmana Hashmi and Turkey, Ambassador Mehmet Olcay, as well as the Permanent Representation of UNESCO to the EU.
The event was attended by members of the European Parliament, heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Brussels, permanent representatives to the EU and NATO, officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Belgium, the European Union, NATO, the Energy Charter, the Council of Europe, representatives of business, scientific, cultural circles and the media in Europe, as well as members of the Tajik diaspora in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.
Congratulatory speeches were delivered on behalf of organizers by Permanent Representative of the Republic of Tajikistan to the European Union, Ambassador Rustamjon Soliev, as well as Chair of the European Parliament Delegation for Relations with Central Asian countries Iveta Grigule and Permanent Representative of UNESCO to the European Union, Ambassador Marie-Paule Roudil.
Ambassador Marie-Paule Roudil.
Numerous national dishes and sweets of the host countries, as well as an exhibition of traditional national handicraft items were offered to the guests.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Israeli’s polls opinion was far from the real results, giving Netanyahu an amazing victory against his closes opponent Yitzhak Herzog. Benjamin Netanyahu scored a higher victory than the exit polls had suggested. Mr. Netanyahu demonstrated once again that he is a great politician. After elections, Mr. Herzog has now established himself as the undisputed leader of his party, now waiting for further discussions and strong opposition.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged on Wednesday to form a new governing coalition quickly after an upset election victory that was built on a shift to the right and drew an immediate rebuke from the White House.
In the final days of campaigning, Netanyahu abandoned a commitment to negotiate a Palestinian state – the basis of more than two decades of Middle East peacemaking – and promised to go on building settlements on occupied land. Such policies defy the core vision of a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict embraced by President Obama and his Republican and Democratic predecessors.
With nearly all votes counted, Netanyahu’s Likud had won 30 seats in the 120-member Knesset, defeating the center-left Zionist Union opposition on 24 seats. A united list of Israeli Arab parties came third. The result was a dramatic and unexpected victory for Netanyahu – the last opinion polls four days before the vote had shown Likud trailing the Zionist Union by four seats.
From Taipei Representative Office.
Taipei Representative Office in the Netherlands, for the first time, hosted the March edition of “Meet & Greet” on Thursday 12 March in the Carlton Ambassador Hotel. Taiwan’s premiere attracted about a hundred Ambassadors, Heads of International Organizations and other distinguished guests from diverse institutions and sectors, who were welcomed with a glass of Taiwanese award winning Kavalan whisky.For a photo-album of the event, please click here:https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/sets/72157650982550058/H.E. Mr. James Lee, Taiwan’s Representative residing in The Hague, disclosed in his remarks the relatively unknown bilateral linkages between Taiwan and the Netherlands, which resulted in the development of a special partnership between the two countries with roots tracing back to 17th century. The Dutch presence of 37 years, together with Fort Zeelandia, Fort Provintia and the Red Hair Castle, left a deep imprint and legacy on the island. Taiwan became a trading and transshipment center for goods between Japan, China, Batavia (now Jakarta) and Holland and one of the most profitable branches of the Dutch East Indian Company VOC in Asia, accounting for 26% of the VOC’s world profit in 1649. Today, Taiwan continues to advance its position as a regional economic center in Asia and is ranked the 3rd best destination for foreign investors, the 10th most innovative country, the 12th most competitive economy and the 18th largest trading nation in the world.Currently, there are 34 flights a week conducted by China Airlines, EVA Air and KLM between Amsterdam and Taipei. National Geographic Traveler has listed Taiwan among the top 20 destinations for travelers in the world. For the 9.9 million foreigners visiting Taiwan last year, TAIWAN is synonymous to “They Are Incredibly Warm and Nice,” the Representative said in a closing remark.For a video of the event please open here: http://youtu.be/wFDE_g-w3REWhile enjoying some typical Taiwanese wine, the guests got a taste of Taiwan’s exquisite culture, nature and cuisine by an inspiring audiovisual presentation in an entertaining ambiance. Altogether, this splendid evening and encounter has inspired many to learn more about Taiwan and to experience the hospitality on the island.
The Colours of CoBrA: European art from 1948 – 1970s
Bait al Zubair has been busy this week working with the curator of the Cobra Museum for Modern Art from the Netherlands to install what can only be called a ground breaking exhibition of modern art in Oman. For the first time, highlights of the international Cobra art movement will be presented in Oman from 11 March to 7 May 2015 at Bait al Zubair.
Bait al Zubair in partnership with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands have been working with the Cobra Museum of Modern Art near Amsterdam for the past six months to develop an exhibition of vivid colour and curiosity that showcases one of the most dynamic European art movements of the twentieth century.
Cobra was founded in Paris (France) in 1948 and lasted until 1951. CoBrA is an acronym for the three capital cities where the artists lived and worked: Copenhagen (Denmark), Brussels (Belgium) and Amsterdam (the Netherlands). As their motto, they chose the ancient symbolism of the snake. The Cobra artists all strove to create a new, free and expressive art, rooted in experiment and the real experiences of life itself. Cobra wanted to liberate the artistic creativity that is hidden in every human being.
In the 1940s the then conservative press and viewers were by no means charmed by the richly imaginative and childlike spontaneity of the new Cobra art. They believed art should be classical and realistic. The Cobra art movement certainly challenged this.
Paul Doubleday Director of Bait al Zubair says; ‘The Colours of Cobra’ being exhibited in Bait al Zubair will kick start a new understanding of twentieth century art in the country allowing artists, the general public and school children alike to experience the vivid colours, the child like qualities and vibrant hues of Cobra.’
Today, more than 65 years after the founding of Cobra, this exciting movement has not lost any of its power or meaning. Cobra has been accepted into the canon of the history of 20th century art. The childlike, spontaneous styles and the theoretical thinking and philosophy of this group have had enormous significance for the development of modern and contemporary art in Europe and abroad.
Mr Doubleday also says; ‘The Colours of Cobra is only possible through the support of business in Oman. It is when buisiness and the arts collaborate we see amazing outcomes. The exhibition is open to all and we hope to have over 3000 visitors and 1000 school students visiting Cobra. The exhibition is sponsored by The Dutch Embassy, Omantel, Oman Arab Bank, MB Holding, Sohar Port Free Zone, C. Steinweg Oman LLC, Mobilift and Partners LLC and Air France/KLM.
The exhibition was ceremoniously opened on 10 March 2015 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Secretary General, His Excellency Sayyid Bader bin Hamad bin Hamoud Al Busaidi.
For a full photo-album of the event, please click here:https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/sets/72157649091722644/
To find more information about Bait Al Zubair events & activities join them on Facebook www.facebook.com/bait.alzubair and Twitter and Instagram on: @Bait_AlZubair
For more information please contact Sara Ali at Bait al Zubair on sara.ali@baitalzubair.com
Romke’s enthusiasm tends to run away with him but you won’t tire of listening. “Yes, I like to talk, but not about myself. That’s one subject I don’t find particularly interesting. Making people happy and teaching them about which wine best accompanies with which meal, or vice versa, is my biggest challenge”. The world of wine is infinite and constantly moving. A never ending source of craftsmanship and unique knowledge. “I am always deeply moved by the beauty of the wine and its producers”.
Romke definitely knows where to find his wine, but not only wine. He sources the ingredients he works with himself. They don’t come from bulk wholesalers. “I prefer to get my products from producers who treat them with passion and respect. Where everything is fresh and not processed. These people have turned work into craftsmanship and you can taste that in the product”. This knowledge and authenticity can be found at the wine-tasting establishment in the most beautiful wines and most delicious dishes delivered with spirited professionalism.
For more information:
Romke’s wijn en spijs Groot Hertoginnelaan 229 2517 ET Den Haag
070 3060029 06 55861288 info@romkeswijnenspijs.nl / www.romkeswijnenspijs.nl 
Romke’s enthusiasm tends to run away with him but you won’t tire of listening. “Yes, I like to talk, but not about myself. That’s one subject I don’t find particularly interesting. Making people happy and teaching them about which wine best accompanies with which meal, or vice versa, is my biggest challenge”. The world of wine is infinite and constantly moving. A never ending source of craftsmanship and unique knowledge. “I am always deeply moved by the beauty of the wine and its producers”.
Romke definitely knows where to find his wine, but not only wine. He sources the ingredients he works with himself. They don’t come from bulk wholesalers. “I prefer to get my products from producers who treat them with passion and respect. Where everything is fresh and not processed. These people have turned work into craftsmanship and you can taste that in the product”. This knowledge and authenticity can be found at the wine-tasting establishment in the most beautiful wines and most delicious dishes delivered with spirited professionalism.
For more information:
Romke’s wijn en spijs Groot Hertoginnelaan 229 2517 ET Den Haag
070 3060029 06 55861288 info@romkeswijnenspijs.nl / www.romkeswijnenspijs.nl 
The following day, an extensive number of Ambassadors, judges and senior civil servants attended the National Day event and gave their solidarity and support to H.E. Karim Ben Becher, Ambassador for Tunisia. The Tunisian Ambassador is a distinguished member of the Diplomatic Corps in the Netherlands; a man known for his fidelity and friendliness.
In his welcome remarks, Ambassador Karim Ben Becher, thanked all those who have sent messages of encouragement and solidarity. Furthermore, he explained his country’s determination to continue on the road it has embarked upon since the Jasmine Revolution several years ago-the road of full democracy.
Tunisia will not be deterred by a terrorist attack and remains adamant that the security of its people and of visitors will be guaranteed. The Tunisian-born former Mayor of Paris, Mr. Bertrand Delanoe, declared that the attacks in Paris, Copenhagen and Tunis are attacks against human dignity. The Bardo museum is expected to reopen next Tuesday.
The following day, an extensive number of Ambassadors, judges and senior civil servants attended the National Day event and gave their solidarity and support to H.E. Karim Ben Becher, Ambassador for Tunisia. The Tunisian Ambassador is a distinguished member of the Diplomatic Corps in the Netherlands; a man known for his fidelity and friendliness.
In his welcome remarks, Ambassador Karim Ben Becher, thanked all those who have sent messages of encouragement and solidarity. Furthermore, he explained his country’s determination to continue on the road it has embarked upon since the Jasmine Revolution several years ago-the road of full democracy.
Tunisia will not be deterred by a terrorist attack and remains adamant that the security of its people and of visitors will be guaranteed. The Tunisian-born former Mayor of Paris, Mr. Bertrand Delanoe, declared that the attacks in Paris, Copenhagen and Tunis are attacks against human dignity. The Bardo museum is expected to reopen next Tuesday.
Subsequently, at the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden in Leiden, Mr. Stroomer, a linguist, gave a lecture regarding inscriptions on “Palm sticks”. The evening proceeded with the very lively Leiden-Aramco Lecture on Ancient Arabian Civilization: “Ancient Arabia: Forgotten Civilizations at the Heart of the Ancient Near East” by Michael Macdonald of Oxford University.
On a same note, the launch of the LeiCenSAA, Leiden Center for the Study of Ancient Arabica, under the eminent directorship of Dr. Achmed Al-Jallad took place. The evening concluded with a reception. 
Subsequently, at the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden in Leiden, Mr. Stroomer, a linguist, gave a lecture regarding inscriptions on “Palm sticks”. The evening proceeded with the very lively Leiden-Aramco Lecture on Ancient Arabian Civilization: “Ancient Arabia: Forgotten Civilizations at the Heart of the Ancient Near East” by Michael Macdonald of Oxford University.
On a same note, the launch of the LeiCenSAA, Leiden Center for the Study of Ancient Arabica, under the eminent directorship of Dr. Achmed Al-Jallad took place. The evening concluded with a reception. 
Congratulatory speeches were delivered on behalf of organizers by Permanent Representative of the Republic of Tajikistan to the European Union, Ambassador Rustamjon Soliev, as well as Chair of the European Parliament Delegation for Relations with Central Asian countries Iveta Grigule and Permanent Representative of UNESCO to the European Union, Ambassador Marie-Paule Roudil.
Congratulatory speeches were delivered on behalf of organizers by Permanent Representative of the Republic of Tajikistan to the European Union, Ambassador Rustamjon Soliev, as well as Chair of the European Parliament Delegation for Relations with Central Asian countries Iveta Grigule and Permanent Representative of UNESCO to the European Union, Ambassador Marie-Paule Roudil.
H.E. Mr. James Lee, Taiwan’s Representative residing in The Hague, disclosed in his remarks the relatively unknown bilateral linkages between Taiwan and the Netherlands, which resulted in the development of a special partnership between the two countries with roots tracing back to 17th century. The Dutch presence of 37 years, together with Fort Zeelandia, Fort Provintia and the Red Hair Castle, left a deep imprint and legacy on the island. Taiwan became a trading and transshipment center for goods between Japan, China, Batavia (now Jakarta) and Holland and one of the most profitable branches of the Dutch East Indian Company VOC in Asia, accounting for 26% of the VOC’s world profit in 1649.
Today, Taiwan continues to advance its position as a regional economic center in Asia and is ranked the 3rd best destination for foreign investors, the 10th most innovative country, the 12th most competitive economy and the 18th largest trading nation in the world.
Currently, there are 34 flights a week conducted by China Airlines, EVA Air and KLM between Amsterdam and Taipei. National Geographic Traveler has listed Taiwan among the top 20 destinations for travelers in the world. For the 9.9 million foreigners visiting Taiwan last year, TAIWAN is synonymous to “They Are Incredibly Warm and Nice,” the Representative said in a closing remark.
For a video of the event please open here:
http://youtu.be/wFDE_g-w3RE
While enjoying some typical Taiwanese wine, the guests got a taste of Taiwan’s exquisite culture, nature and cuisine by an inspiring audiovisual presentation in an entertaining ambiance. Altogether, this splendid evening and encounter has inspired many to learn more about Taiwan and to experience the hospitality on the island. 
H.E. Mr. James Lee, Taiwan’s Representative residing in The Hague, disclosed in his remarks the relatively unknown bilateral linkages between Taiwan and the Netherlands, which resulted in the development of a special partnership between the two countries with roots tracing back to 17th century. The Dutch presence of 37 years, together with Fort Zeelandia, Fort Provintia and the Red Hair Castle, left a deep imprint and legacy on the island. Taiwan became a trading and transshipment center for goods between Japan, China, Batavia (now Jakarta) and Holland and one of the most profitable branches of the Dutch East Indian Company VOC in Asia, accounting for 26% of the VOC’s world profit in 1649.
Today, Taiwan continues to advance its position as a regional economic center in Asia and is ranked the 3rd best destination for foreign investors, the 10th most innovative country, the 12th most competitive economy and the 18th largest trading nation in the world.
Currently, there are 34 flights a week conducted by China Airlines, EVA Air and KLM between Amsterdam and Taipei. National Geographic Traveler has listed Taiwan among the top 20 destinations for travelers in the world. For the 9.9 million foreigners visiting Taiwan last year, TAIWAN is synonymous to “They Are Incredibly Warm and Nice,” the Representative said in a closing remark.
For a video of the event please open here:
http://youtu.be/wFDE_g-w3RE
While enjoying some typical Taiwanese wine, the guests got a taste of Taiwan’s exquisite culture, nature and cuisine by an inspiring audiovisual presentation in an entertaining ambiance. Altogether, this splendid evening and encounter has inspired many to learn more about Taiwan and to experience the hospitality on the island. 
