Volvo Ocean Race Pit Stop in The Hague

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Volvo Ocean Race Pit Stop in The Hague
  By Catherine A. Dailey.   In just over four months, The Hague will host seven Volvo Ocean Race (VOR) teams during a three day “pit stop,” in the ninth and final leg of a grueling nine month and 38,739 nautical mile (Nm) ocean sailing event covering four oceans and 11 ports on five continents. The twelfth edition of the Volvo Ocean Race opened in Alicante on October 11, 2014 and is now a little more than two weeks into Leg 4 of an approximate 10,000 Nm journey from Sanya (China) to Auckland, the “City of Sails.” On June 19, the seven teams, including the Dutch “Team Brunel,” competing in the 2014-2015 Volvo Ocean Race, will sail into the harbor of Scheveningen during the colorful The Hague Volvo Ocean Race Festival (June 18, 19 and 20).  
For a photo album, please click here:
  Stephan van der Meulen The announcement was made at the Worldhotel Bel Air earlier this month at a press conference held on Sunday, February 8. Special guest, Mr. Roy Heiner, an engineer, life long sailor and three times Volvo Ocean Race competitor briefly explained the race to invited guests and members of the press. Heiner served as Technical Director aboard the winning “Team ABN AMRO” in the 2005-2006 Volvo Ocean Race and, since 1996, has directed “Team Heiner”, his sailing academy and “water sports” event organization based in Lelystad. Describing the race as the “Mt Everest” of sailing, Heiner further remarked that the Volvo Ocean Race is important as a source of inspiration for young people, whom, it is hoped, will develop an interest in sailing and the world of competitive water sports. Brunel, sponsor of the Dutch race team “Team Brunel,” is presenting the event. The Worldhotel Bel Air is the official and preferred hotel partner during the event. Following the press conference, guests were treated to a Chinese inspired brunch in recognition of the February 8 start of Leg 4, Sanya to Auckland. The Worldhotel Bel Air is providing accommodation to most of the members of the seven teams in the 2014-2015 VOR campaign before their final race to the finish in Gothenborg, Sweden.   WB OR 2015 11 “Sensational” is the only word to describe the announcement of the Volvo Ocean Race Festival The Hague. Karsten Klein, the city’s “Wethouder SEZH” (city economy, care and harbors) also spoke briefly at the press conference. His efforts, on behalf of the city, have been instrumental in welcoming the VOR teams to The Hague. Klein, Frans Sluyters, the “founding father of the North Sea Regatta” and the team at Stichting North Sea Regatta, together with many other volunteers have been working closely with Brunel and the VOR management, to host the world’s most prestigious sailing event in our “international city on the sea” this June.   WB OR 2015 12 Diplomat Magazine readers are invited to follow the event by reviewing the three day program of events now posted at Brunel’s “Volvo Ocean Race Festival Den Haag” official website (www.oceanracefestivaldenhaag.com). The event is open to the public and most day activities are free of charge. Tickets for the evening concerts programs are on sale now and may be ordered in advanced via the event website. It is a unique opportunity to experience a premier sail event and the festival will feature a sail simulator, dive tank, catamaran demos, kids academy, and much more. Some 100,000 visitors are expected to attend. The Hr. Ms. Groningen, the Royal Dutch Navy’s SAR (search and rescue) and patrol ship will be in port and open to the public for visitation during the event. WB OR 2015 03 16 nationalities are represented among the seven teams, including Dutch men and a woman on at least three boats. For the second time, an all women team will be among the teams competing. A link to the official website for each of the seven teams can be found on the “Teams” page of the Volvo Ocean Race website (www.volvooceanrace.com). A brilliant promotional film clip titled, “Ready to Race” produced for Team SCA, the all women team and posted on YouTube is especially inspiring. Readers may also enjoy watching the various virtual 360° tours of the new one design “Volvo Ocean 65” boat, by Farr Yacht Design, used for the first time in the 2014-2015 race, which can be viewed on Team SCA’s official and highly informative website. Don’t miss the clever promotional film clip titled, “Just Another Day At The Office” (YouTube) to get in the ocean race spirit!  
For a photo album, please click here:
             

100 years of Bhutanese coverage in National Geographic

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100 years of Bhutanese coverage in National Geographic
From the Office of Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen of Bhutan.   On 17 February 2015, Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen (Dragon Queen Consort of Bhutan) attended National Geographic Society’s celebration marking 100 years of coverage of Bhutan by its magazine. Addressing the gathering, Her Majesty said that the essence of what was observed of Bhutan by the magazine a hundred years ago still remains. “In 1914, John Claude White’s fluent observations of our country, detailed in the April issue of the National Geographic Magazine, unveiled the intricacies of our unfamiliar and mysterious land and people to the rest of the world,” Her Majesty said. “Bhutan has, across the century, made unique progress as a Nation. We have continually fortified the values of our traditions and cultural heritage.” “Today, we move forward on the philosophy of “Gross National Happiness” and strive for sustainable development. We are bound by duty to ensure the resilience of our cultural values and our pristine natural environment, which remains indispensable in our pursuit of collective happiness. In Bhutan, we are always guided by our past; our rich traditions and culture, so fundamentally important for our future, binds us across time and generations.” Her Majesty commended the National Geographic society for their noble efforts, since its inception in 1888, to explore and bring to light the human and physical geography of our world. Gyaltsuen The National Geographic magazine in 1914 published an article in its April edition, written by John Claude White, a political officer of British-India stationed in Sikkim. Accompanied by fabulous images, the article, titled “Castles in the Air: Experiences and Journeys in Unknown Bhutan” documented White’s experiences in Bhutan, which he visited between 1905 to 1907. The coverage was historically significant, as it provided insights into Bhutan from a foreign perspective, and for the first time, presented images of a largely unknown Bhutan to the western world. On 21 February 2015, The Gyaltsuen’s husband’s, His Majesty the 5th Druk Gyalpo (Dragon King) of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, fêted his 35th birthday. India’s Prime Minister hail the monarch’s birthday through tweeter. Later this year large celebrations are expected to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the 4th Druk Gyapo, King-Father Jigme Singye Wangchuck who was born on 11 November 1955.  

Chinese New Year celebration in Den Haag

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Chinese New Year celebration in Den Haag
By Buonamassa W.G.     With firework and parade in the centrum of The Hague, the Chinese Community in Den Haag celebrated the beginnig of the new year. In the atrium of the Town Hall many artists and groups from China demonstrated on stage their high skill in dancing, singing and play traditional music. Thousands followed the great parade and attended the show. For more pictures, please open the link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/sets/72157648643478414/ BW cn 11

Saudi Arabia Cultural Mission in The Hague

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Saudi Arabia Cultural Mission in The Hague
By Roy Lie A Tjam.   The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia inaugurated a Cultural Mission under the direction of Dr. Moneer M. AL-Otalbi, Cultural Attaché. After a pioneering phase, the office was opened in October 2014. A sparkling cultural show at Louwman Museum marked the inauguration of the cultural mission. The mission is temporary located on Koninginnegracht The Hague. Later on it will relocate to a prestigious historical edifice on Alexanderstraat, in Den Haag. The Saudi Arabian Cultural Missions are to administer programs and policies to meet the educational- and cultural needs of Saudis studying abroad. The missions also functions as the intermediary between the host countries educational institutions and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in issues pertaining to culture, education and science. images[5] The mission in The Hague is part of the Saudi Embassy which is under the leadership of H.E.  Ambassador Abdulaziz A. Abohalmed. However in terms of administration, finance and student affairs, the mission is under the auspices of the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Higher Education. The vision and mission of the cultural bureau is none political. The focusing is on education, academics, cultural and education exchange schemes between the two Kingdoms. Also looking after the 500 plus Saudi students in the Netherlands. Many students have chosen medicine. The aim is to get a more diverse lot including technical and other majors. Exchange programs for (research) professors, lecturers will be put in place to further the cooperation between universities. Saudi students are to be found mainly in Maastricht and Groningen. The bureau is encouraging student to also opt for other universities such as Rotterdam, Leiden and Nyenrode. Saudi students should were possible benefit fully from the advance level of the Dutch in certain domains. Dr. Moneer M. Al-Otabi is grateful for the support he is receiving and hopes to receive from Dutch institutions. He stated ‘education is the cement in a good relationship between nations’ The Dutch Ambassador in Ryadd, H.E. Mr. Laurens Westhoff, paid a courtesy visit to the Cultural Mission a few weeks ago, Ambassador Westhoff was in The Hague for the biannual meeting of heads of missions.                    

Japanese songs for soprano and piano

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Japanese songs for soprano and piano
Special concert of traditional and new melodies.   After Japan had opened its door to Western influences in the second half of the 19th century, a new repertoire of arrangements of traditional songs came about. In the same way Hungarian composer Zoltán Kodály was inspired by folk music and arranged it beautifully for modern concert practice, Japanese composers such as Kosaku / Kósçak Yamada (1886-1965), Yoshinao Nakada (1923-2000) and Toru Takemitsu (1930-1996) have done the same with their heritage. Quite a few of these beautiful songs are favorites of the Japanese people to this day. The tradition is blooming with young musicians like Masakazu Yamamoto (1975-) continuously adding to the repertoire. He is the pianist during this concert in which he accompanies soprano Seika Kawaguchi in a programme that includes among many other wonderful pieces a setting of the world famous song Sakura ‘cherry blossom’. This repertoire is not performed often in the West and the excellent musicians are a guarantee for a very special musical experience. Seika Kawaguchi – soprano Masakazu Yamamoto – piano Programme: Works by Kósçak Yamada, Yoshinao Nakada, Toru Takemitsu and Masakazu Yamamoto ————————————————————– Data & time Friday, 6 maart 2015 20:15 Location Haagse Kunstkring Denneweg 64, Den Haag Entree 10 euro / 5 euro for student Info & reservation 06-12534707 or japansliedconcert@gmail.com

International Mother’s Language Day

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International Mother’s Language Day
By Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal, Ambassador of Bangladesh. Likewise last fifteen years, the world will observe International Mother’s Language Day on 21 February 2015. As per the proclamation of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), every year February 21 is observed around the world as ‘International Mother Language Day’ since February 2000 to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. As per the United Nations, the theme for 2015 is ‘Inclusive Education through and with Language-Language Matters’. The date represents the day in 1952 when students demonstrating for recognition of their language, Bangla, as one of the two national languages of the then Pakistan, were shot and killed by police in Dhaka, the capital of what is now Bangladesh. The world came to acknowledge this blood earned right to speak in her/his mother tongue in Bangladesh when UNESCO decided to celebrate this day as International Mother Language Day since 2000. UNESCO stresses upon importance of promoting such languages by saying: “All moves to promote the dissemination of mother tongues will serve not only to encourage linguistic diversity and multilingual education but also to develop fuller awareness of linguistic and cultural traditions throughout the world and to inspire solidarity based on understanding, tolerance and dialogue”. UNESCO noted that the “languages are the most powerful instruments of preserving and developing our tangible and intangible heritage“. Bangladesh Embassy in The Hague is hosting a daylong event to sensitize children of Bangladesh origin parents’ as well as our Dutch friends and peers about the importance of the day. We would like them to know how important it is to practice mother tongue as they wish to become members of this globalized village. The daylong celebration could motivate children to become proficient in their respective mother language along with continuing their studies in Dutch/German/French/English or any other language of their choice. These celebrations help maintain a national togetherness and help promote the oneness in our diversified nation. The children through these celebrations could develop a value for their nation and understand the essence of our culture. We will, of course, avail this day to pay, which we call Amor Ekushey, tributes to those martyrs who sacrificed their lives so that we continue to speak in our mother tongue “Bangla”. This video may give you a better idea about the spirit of this day. We, therefore, request you to become a partner in highlighting the spirit of the International Mother Language Day for your viewers/readers and patrons and more importantly, for your children. Wish you well on the occasion of the International Mother Language Day 2015.

Terengganu in mourning

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Terengganu in mourning
 
By Baron Henri Estramant.
 
 
The Malay federal state of Terengganu Durul-Iman is in mourning till 4 March 2015 (40 days in total); a mourning which began on 24 January after the passing away of the Sultan of Terengganu’s grandmother, the late Tengku Ampuan Intan Zaharah binti Tengku Omar. 
 
Born in Singapore on 13 April 1928, Tengku Intan Zaharah married the late Tuanku Ismail Nasiruddin Shah (15th Sultan and Yang di-Pertuan Terengganu Besar Durul-Iman) on 3 April 1944, and was crowned “Tengku Ampuan Terengganu” (Sultana Consort) on June 6, 1949.
 
She was the fourth “Raja Permaisuri Agong” (Queen Consort of Malaysia) from 1965 and 1970 when her husband rotated in the office of “Yang di-Pertuan Agong” (Paramount Ruler of Malaysia, or simply King). 
 
Terengganu is known by the Arabic honorific “Durul-Iman”, or “Abode of Faith”. These designations are common for Malay, Muslim-majority states. The state used to be relatively poor but fate has been more auspicious since the discovery of oil and gas resources. The land constitutes one of the thirteen states (Negeri) and three federal territories (Wilayah Persekutuan) forming the Federation of Malaysia. Its capital is Kuala Terengganu. 
 
Since the early XVIII century the country is ruled by a junior branch of the Bendahara Dynasty along with Pahang and the dynasty’s cradle of Johor. The incumbent seventeenth monarch is His Royal Highness Paduka Sri Tuanku Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin al-Wathiqu Billah, Sultan and Yang di-Pertuan Besar Terengganu Darul-Iman since 15 May 1998. As required by Malaysia’s constitution he is an ethnic Malay, and professes Sunni Islam. He is married to HRH Sultana Nur Zahirah (née Rozita Adil Bakeri). In addition, he is married to a Thai lady who plays no public role. 
The sultanate’s current Menteri Besar (Chief Minister) is Datuk Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman since 13 May 2014.

Ngudjolo Chui case: Appeals judgment

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Ngudjolo Chui case: Appeals judgment
Ngudjolo Chui case: Appeals judgment on the acquittal rescheduled to 27 February 2015    The Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) is rescheduling the delivery of its Judgment on the appeal against the acquittal in the case of The Prosecutor v. Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui to Friday, 27 February 2015 at 10:00 (The Hague local time). The hearing was initially scheduled on Tuesday, 24 February 2015 and is postponed due to unforeseen organisational reasons.   

Contemporary Chinese Advertising Exhibition 1979-2015

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Contemporary Chinese Advertising Exhibition 1979-2015
5 March 2015 Grand Opening at WTC The Hague.   Groningen Confucius Institute, in collaboration with the School of Advertising from the Communication University of China, is planning the Contemporary Chinese Advertising Exhibition 1979-2015, which will open in WTC The Hague in March 5. The exhibition aims at revealing the transformation of China’s consumer and social culture through Chinese advertising from the 1979 until the present day. An array of nearly 600 print, film and broadcast ads will be on display, showing the development and change in the life of Chinese people over the past 35 years. The exhibits are structured around five themes: clothing, food, living, travel and daily use. From a marketing perspective, the exhibition provides information and context to European entrepreneurs and researchers about Chinese consumer behaviour, and the development of international and Chinese brands in China during that period. Visitors will also get the chance to find out about policy changes and their impact on Chinese people’s lifestyles, and how these changes influenced various industries. The exhibition’s Grand Opening will take place in WTC The Hague on 5 March 2015, consisting of keynote speeches from culture and communication experts and governmental officials, Chinese music performances, followed by a networking reception.   Opening days: Monday to Friday (working hours) 5-19 March 2015 at WTC The Hague, Prinses Margrietplantsoen 25, 2595 AM Den Haag 9-15 April 2015 at Hanze University of Applied Sciences Groningen Group tour reservation: info@confuciusgroningen.nl More information: www.confuciusgroningen.nl    

Night at the museum: The Secret of Van Gogh

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Night at the museum: The Secret of Van Gogh
  A special networking event was held at the Van Gogh Museum last Friday, the 16th of February. Jointly organized by the Association of Spanish Professionals in Holland (AEPH) and the museum itself, the event brought together friends and acquaintances in an incomparable venue: The Van Gogh Museum. The event was a success where more than 70 guests attended including members of the AEPH, The Van Gogh Museum Global Circle, and The Sunflower Collective as well as patrons and benefactors of the museum. Further, the event was graced by the presence of the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain to the Kingdom of the Netherlands H. E. Fernando Arias and the cultural counsellor of the Spanish Embassy Mr. Fernando Fernández Aguayo. The Director General of the Museum, Mr. Adriaan Dönszelmann, delivered the welcoming remarks. Subsequently, Mr. Edwin Becker, the Head of Exhibitions of the Van Gogh Museum, gave a short lecture entitled “The Influence of Vincent Van Gogh on International Artists” with emphasis on Spanish painters. After the lecture given by Mr. Becker, a remarkable networking event took place where attendees were able to enjoy drinks and snacks while establishing their social networks. Concluding the event was an exclusively guided tour throughout the museum showcasing the Dutch artist’s masterpieces. Without a doubt, it was a spectacular evening!  
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