One of the best Danish girls’ choirs performs in The Hague
The Danish Embassy to the Netherlands invites you to a Christmas Concert with the Danish Girls’ Choir of the church of Fredensborg Palace on Saturday, 6 December 2014, at 16:00 hrs. in Kloosterkerk, Lange Voorhout 4, The Hague.
The Girls’ Choir is part of an old tradition of the church of Fredensborg Palace. In 1850, King Christian the 9th opened the doors of the church of Fredensborg Palace to the public and since then, a choir has been connected to the church of Fredensborg Palace. Since 1985, the choir has been a girls’ choir.
Once a year, the Girls’ Choir is travelling abroad to perform for foreign public, this year in The Hague and Rotterdam. For many years the Girls’ Choir of Fredensborg Palace has been among the best girls’ choirs in the country which is demonstrated by top ranks in various competitions in Denmark. The Girls’ Choir performs at services and concerts in the church, a.o. in 2012 during the celebration of the anniversary of H.M. Queen Margrethe, but also at other occasions for royal guests. The Girls’ Choir is participating in all church services of the church of Fredensborg Palace. Princess Benedikte is protector of the choir.
The choir leader is Mr. Torsten Nielsen, singer and conductor from The Royal Danish Music Conservatorium. Mr. Nielsen is also connected to the Danish Broadcasting Corporation’s Vocal Ensemble and sings solo all over the country. Mrs. Else-Marie Kristoffersen accompanies the choir at organ. At this concert, Mrs. C. Buch is soprano soloist.
The concert is open to the public and is free of charge. Doors will be open from 15:30 hrs. The concert is presented in cooperation with APM Terminals.
Please register for the concert by sending an email to haaambinfo@um.dk
http://www.fredensborgslotskirke.dk/fredensborg-slotskirkes-pigekor
Soirée Cedarus Libani
On the Picture Ms. Abir Ali Chargé d’Affairs of Lebanon with H. E. Nassima Baghli, Ambassador of Algeria.
By Roy Lie A Tjam.
With a reception at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, the Embassy of the Republic of Lebanon celebrated the country’s 71st Independence Day, many came to present their felicitations to charming Ms. Abir Ali, Chargé d’ affaires a.i and to join in the festivity.
The ancient country of Lebanon with its modern cosmopolitan capital city of Beirut is a true beacon in the region. Despite the current Syrian refugee crisis which is causing strain on the Lebanon’s political and socio-economic system, the country is looking to the future unfazed – a very resilient people indeed. The Lebanese people in a way resemble the pleasant scent- and robustness of the Cedarus Libani – cedar tree.
Lebanon and the Netherlands enjoy excellent relations and the Netherlands is supporting Lebanon to deal with the Syrian refugees crisis that put a lot of pressure on its political and socio-economic system due to the more than 1.3 million Syrian refugees that Lebanon is hosting.
“Lebannon is more than a country, it is a message of freedom and an example of pluralism”, words of H.H. Pope John Paul II in describing Lebanon. Last Tuesday was a day of celebration, and that is what has happened. Joyeuse fete nationale Lebanon!
Sultanate of Oman’s 44th Anniversary
By Diana Totinska, Junior Editor.
On the occasion of the Sultanate of Oman’s 44th National Day Anniversary, the Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, His Excellency Muhammed bin Harub bin Abdullah Al Said, organized a diplomatic reception at the Crowne Plaza on Tuesday 18th of November. A special guest of honour to the event was Omani entrepreneur and owner of Oceanco and Chevron, Dr. Mohammed Ali Al Barwani, who presented the importance of business partnerships between Oman and the Netherlands. The hall of the reception was esthetically decorated with models of luxurious yachts, traditional clothing and progressive shell installations in Oman.
The Embassy of Oman in The Hague is also responsible (non-resident) for the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg.
His reception was also honoured by the presence of his mother, Her Highness Sayyida Shuruq bint Saif Al Said and her younger daughter Her Highness Sayyida Zahra bint Harub Al Said. Likewise by The Netherlands 49th Premier, Prof. Jan Balkenende.
The programme ended with the announcement of the two lucky winners of the Oman Air Raffle Ticket Prize. All guests left the reception delighted with a bag of traditional Omani sweets and selected souvenirs.
Credential letters in Estonia
His Excellency Jean Pierre Karabaranga, Ambassador of the Republic of Rwanda, recently presented the credential letters to the President of the Republic of Estonia H.E. Toomas Hendrick Ilves. The ceremony took place in Tallinn at the president’s office. Ambassador Karabaranga was accompanied by his spouse Viviane Uwicyeza Mironko and Minister Counselor Guillaume Kavaruganda.
The discussion between the President of Estonia and Ambassador Karabaranga focused on the bilateral relations specifically on the cooperation in Information Communication Technology. Estonia is an international leader on ICT.
President Toomas Hendrick Ilves emphasized the fact that Estonia invested in ICT while it was a less developed country. This vision has helped Estonia to achieve the growth the country is enjoying now.
Ambassador Jean Pierre Karabaranga expressed the long path that Rwanda has undergone since the Genocide of the Tutsi in 1994, and indicates to the president of Estonia other areas where the two countries can work hand in hand such as in agriculture and energy.
Estonia has only one Embassy in the African continent which is based in Egypt. Estonia regains its independency in 1991 separating itself with the former URSS. It is now part of the European Union, NATO, OCDE, Euro zone, SCHENGHEN visa and is among the top fifteen richest countries worldwide in GDP.
Ambassador Karabaranga is the second Rwandan Ambassador to present his credentials in Estonia.
Georgia and its European Challenges and Opportunities
Photography by Hasan S. Aloul.The Hague Institute for Global Justice and the Embassy of Georgia organized a panel discussion last November on Georgia and its European ambitions on the occasion of the official visit to the Netherlands of the Chair of the Parliament of Georgia, His Excellency David Usupashvili. The main theme: Challenges and Opportunities of Georgia’s Path towards Europe’s Institutions.
The visit followed the invitation of his counterpart, the Speaker of the Dutch House of Representatives of the Netherlands, Her Excellency Anouchka van Miltenburg.
David Usupashvili was elected as a Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia on October 21, 2012. He was the Chairman of the Republican Party of Georgia (2005-2013); he worked for an USAID Rule of Law program (1999-2005); he was an Executive Secretary for Anti-Corruption Working Group under President of Georgia (2000-01); he was the Chairman of the Georgian Young Lawyers Association (1994-97); he was the Senior Legal Adviser and Special Envoy of the President of Georgia to Parliament (1992-94); he served at the Central Election Commission of Georgia, as Member and Chief Legal Consultant (1990-94).
Conference started with Dr. Abiodun Williams, President of The Hague Institute, welcome remarks follow by a key note Presentation by H.E. David Usupashvili. Mr. Usupashvili, spoke out about the importance of the maintaining of EU monitoring group reporting constantly about the border situation with Russia to ensure stability and peace; as he stressed out this observatory group is the only technical support Georgia is receiving from the EU and is a key issue in monitoring the actual situation. He also explain the firm decision of Georgia to keep normalizing relationship with Russia in a peaceful atmosphere as independent country who share a lot in common.
Skating rink opens at Scheveningen
Photography: Jim Hoogendorp
Cool Event opens skating rink and ice slide at Scheveningen
The 8th edition of Cool Event Scheveningen opened by singer Nurlaila Karim and Walbroek Heino, Marketing Director of Scheveningen Foundation.
On the occasion of the inauguration of the 600 m2 ice rink on Kurhausplein, just in front of the Kurhaus Hotel, Nurlaila Karim and Crazy Piano performer gave a preview of her new theater show “Four Tina”. The ice rink is open daily from 10:00 to 22:00. Cool Event Scheveningen will also open from December 4, the “Palace Fun Slide” a 30 meter long ice slide on the boulevard placed opposite the Pier. The heated terraces of restaurants around the square offer the perfect place to take a break and enjoy winter drinks and food. Cool Event offers special packages for schools, clubs, holiday groups, nurseries and B (N) SO. Groups can rent skates and enjoy a hot chocolate for only € 3.00 per person. For more information: www.cooleventscheveningen.nlJustice sector receives Euro 20 million support
Rwanda and the Kingdom of the Netherlands signed an agreement on 27 October, where the latter com-mitted Euro 20 million (about Rwf17 billion) toward efforts to boost the Judiciary. The grant will support Justice, Reconciliation, Law and Order Sector (JLOS) and help strengthen the rule of law, promote good governance and a culture of peace, according to Finance and Economic Planning minister Claver Gatete.
“Justice sector strategies are a direct translation of the main second Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS2). Justice-related priorities and the purpose of the Sector is to strengthen the rule of law, while promoting accountable governance and a culture of peace,” Ambassador Gatete said during the signing ceremony in Kigali. “This will greatly contribute to socio-economic development and enhance poverty reduction as prescribed in EDPRS2 blueprint.”
Official Visit of the ICC to Bulgaria
From left to right: ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, ICC President Judge Sang-Hyun Song, Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, Minister of Justice Hristo Ivanov, Prosecutor-General Sotir Tsatsarov, and Deputy Foreign Minister Katya Todorova, and ICC Judge Ekaterina Trendafilova, on 20 November 2014. ©ICC-CPI
On 20 and 21 November 2014, the President of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Judge Sang-Hyun Song, ICC Prosecutor, Mrs Fatou Bensouda, and ICC Judge Ekaterina Trendafilova took part in an official visit to Bulgaria at the invitation of the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Bulgaria, Mr Sotir Tsatsarov.
During their visit, the ICC officials met with several high-level Bulgarian representatives, including the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Mr Rosen Plevneliev, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, Justice Minister Hristo Ivanov, as well as the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Bulgaria and representatives of the Supreme Judicial Council. The Bulgarian officials reiterated Bulgaria’s full commitment to the ICC and the broader system of international criminal justice.
President Song and Prosecutor Bensouda expressed their appreciation for Bulgaria’s longstanding support of the ICC as one of the founding members of the Court. Bulgaria was also encouraged to continue to promote universality of the Rome Statute in the Black Sea region. ICC officials welcomed Bulgaria’s anticipated participation and active role in the discussions at the upcoming 13th session of the Assembly of States Parties of the ICC, which will take place in New York from 8 to 17 December 2014.
Carthage National Museum of Antiquities
Power and splendor of glorious exhibition in Carthage National Museum of Antiquities.
On November 27 opens in the Museum of Antiquities in Leiden ‘Carthage’, a unique exhibition about one of the most legendary port cities of antiquity. To admire over 250 archaeological pieces from including leading Tunisian museums, the Louvre and the British Museum.
The impressive marble and bronze sculptures, colorful mosaics, exquisite jewelery and valuables turned up evidence of the archaeological wealth of this once rich and powerful city on the coast of present-day Tunisia. It is the first time it shows a large exhibition on Carthage in the Netherlands.
Carthage – exhibition in Leiden
The exhibition ‘Carthago’ brings the ancient Carthaginian objects together in a backdrop of images of the ancient city and the characteristic round port. Historical and mythical personages as Queen Dido and the Trojan hero Aeneas, warlord Hannibal, the Roman consul Cato, Augustus and church father Augustine take visitors along the eventful history of the city.
The story is divided into two exhibition halls, each going to one of the great flowering periods. The first room is about the founding by the Phoenicians in the ninth century BC. and the development of Carthage to rich trading town. Gods and goddesses, daily life, rituals surrounding death and the great competition with Rome are discussed here. The second room is about the destruction by the Romans (146 BC.) And the subsequent second heyday of the city, as new Roman metropolis. The exhibition runs story in this hall through Christian and Byzantine Carthage until the seventh century, and the city slowly fell into oblivion. In addition, attention is paid to the rediscovery of Carthage’s ruins from the early nineteenth century, when the Museum of Antiquities itself also played a role.
In the exhibition, the museum organizes lectures, tours and courses. Also appearing a book (€ 19.95) and a magazine (€ 3.50). In the Temple Hall of the museum pictures give an impression of the history of archaeological excavations in Carthage since the nineteenth century. During the exhibition the museum admission applies to a charge of € 2.50 (v / a 18).
‘Carthage’ is open until 10 May 2015. More information is available at www.rmo.nl/carthago
Special thanks to the Embassy of Tunisia in the Netherlands. The exhibition is made possible by the Blockbuster Fund; The Tunisian Tourist Netherlands; Tunisair (official carrier); Association Business Friends National Museum of Antiquities; AON Insurance; the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Tunisia; and the Ministry of Culture of Tunisia. The National Museum of Antiquities is supported by the BankGiro Lottery.
Thanks to: République Tunisienne Ministère de la Culture, Tunis; Institut National du Patrimoine, Tunis; Agence de Mise en Valeur du Patrimoine et Culturelle Promotion, Tunis; Embassy of Tunisia in the Netherlands, The Hague; Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Hague. Welcome to The Hague
Welcome to The Hague – Monday, December 8th, 2014
The City of The Hague and ACCESS invite new arrivals and their families in the City and it’s surrounding areas to attend the “Welcome to The Hague” programme on Monday, December 8th 2014 at The Hague International Centre (THIC), at the Atrium of City Hall, Spui 70.
The morning’s program is designed to help give attendees an introductory understanding of the City, the Dutch culture and people, and how the services of The Hague International Centre and ACCESS can make their stay more comfortable. It also gives them an opportunity to broaden their network of contacts and to meet other expatriates.
It is perfect for any newly arrived resident and/or as a refresher for existing service providers, HR personnel and their colleagues. Participation in this programme is free of charge. To register, please email your full name and nationality to: welcome@access-nl.org
Registration deadline is: Friday, December 5th, 2014.
For additional information please visit:
http://www.access-nl.org/about-access/news-and-events/events/welcome-to-the-hague.aspx
We look forward to making your acquaintance – Welcome to The Hague!