Look at ME!
Every day millions of people all over the world share photos of themselves. Making selfies is a hype originating from the digital media, Internet and social media. But is this need for self-imaging indeed unique to our time? Or is there a similarity with portrait painting and other forms of self-imaging from other times? The Tropenmuseum has explored its rich historical collection of photographs and discovered astonishing similarities with more recent self-portraits. Look at me! is a visual journey of discovery along portraits of people who determined for themselves how they want to be seen. That is timeless!
Self imaging in three periods
The Look at me! exhibition comprises 80 photos. Images by Woodbury & Page and other 19th-century photo studios never exhibited before; famous studio portraits by James Barnor, Seydou Keïta and Malick Sidibé; and contemporary self-portraits by artists like Iké Udé, Ni Haifeng and Hélène Amouzou. The portrait photos can be divided into three periods: 19th-century colonial Indonesia; the independence period in the 1950s and 1960s in West Africa; and the multicultural West of today. Three periods in which culture and society changed greatly and people had to rethink who they were and wanted to be.
Astonishing parallels
For the first time portraits from different periods have been brought together in this way. One by one the seemingly innocent studio portraits prove to be carefully staged, layered expressions of cultural identity. Astonishing parallels can be discovered between the portraits from the different periods. For example, on reflection, the use of clothes, attributes and role-playing show correlations. Contemporary and historical images thus enhance each other.
Macedonia Diplomats Meet & Greet
By Anjali Singh, Editor Assistant
On Tuesday, 14 October, the Macedonian Embassy in The Hague hosted the monthly Diplomats Meet and Greet promoted by Diplomat Magazine at Carlton Ambassador Hotel. H.E. Igor Popov acted as the gracious host for the evening.
The event was attended by over a hundred well-known dignitaries and guests from different fields. Amongst the guests were the Mayor of Wassenaar Mr. Jan Hoekema, the presidents from the ICC and the ICJ, ambassadors, diplomats from several countries, members of the press, businessmen and representatives from the Macedonian Community in the Netherlands.
Invitees were welcomed with traditional Macedonian wines and culinary delights from this beautiful country.
Oscar de la Renta Passed Away
Dominican Republic fashion designer Oscar de la Renta passed away on Oct. 20th, 2014. Members of the diplomatic corps are cordially invited to sign the Book of Condolences at the Dominican Embassy in The Hague at Raamweg 21-22, 2596 HL, Thursday 23rd and Friday 24th of October from 9:30am till 3pm.
Note Verbale from the Dominican Embassy, click here: Condolencias.Oscar.d.l.Renta
Peace for Iraq
Concert, poetry and speeches supported by International Red Cross and United Nations. Diplomat Magazine support and celebrate the involvement of a leading group of international students from Leiden University, among them Duke Michael of Meckleburg, DM Junior Publisher.
Masterpieces of Juan Carlos Reyes
By Duke Michael of Mecklenburg.
Juan Carlos Reyes an artist from Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic had his first exhibition of his masterpieces in Europe at Kasteel de Wittenburg in Wassenaar. Present were Ambassadors of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Burundi, Angola, Switzerland, Kosovo, Chile and Dominican Republic as well. It was a successful evening and start for his tour around Europe. The Diplomat Magazine wish all the best of success.
Hungarian ICC judge candidate in The Hague
Presentation of the Hungarian ICC judge candidate in The Hague
The accountability of the perpetrators of grave crimes against humanity in Iraq and Syria was also touched upon by Professor Peter Kovács, Hungary’s candidate to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in his lecture in The Hague.
The Hungarian candidate, a former member of the Hungarian Constitutional Court held a presentation to the representatives of the ICC States Parties and the international legal community at the Embassy of Hungary on 13 October. Beside the evaluation of the Court’s jurisprudence Professor Kovács also offered his views on current international justice related issues. He also discussed the referral of terrorist acts committed by the Islamic State against religious or ethnic minorities before the ICC by the UN Security Council or States affected on the basis of the perpetrators’ nationality.
Hungary has not delegated any judge to the ICC before. The December 2014 session of the Assembly of States Parties to the ICC will decide upon the 17 candidacies submitted for the 6 judicial positions to be filled at the most prestigious international criminal tribunal.
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Two parliaments ceremoniously opened
By Baron Henri Estramant.
The Re-opening of Lesotho’s Parliament on Friday, 17 October 2014 by the country’s monarch Letsie III is being hailed as a victory for the democratic stability and internal security of the kingdom after an alleged attempt of a coup d’état against Prime Minister Thomas Thabane. The PM fled the country “fearing for his life” back at the end of August 2014. PM Thabane left after the army mobilised close to government edifices without inform him.
The bicameral Parliament was re-opened after a “Speech from the Throne” was delivered by the country’s monarch, who is the ceremonial Head of State.
The Re-opening of Parliament in Maseru was attended by South Africa’s Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa who is credited with reconciling squabbling politicians in the mountainous kingdom. The re-opening of the parliamentary session is considered particularly important in order to preserve the rule of law in Lesotho which has gone through several coup d’états in the past.
Another Westminster-inspired system, that of New Zealand, also saw the opening of its 51st parliament on 21 October 2014. In New Zealand, the “Speech from the Throne” is delivered by the Personal Representative of the realm’s Sovereign, the “Governor-General of New Zealand”. Like in Lesotho the speech is actually an outline of the government’s intentions and plans for the new legislature.
Both the Kingdom of Lesotho and the Realm of New Zealand are among the 53-members of the Commonwealth of Nations. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is a separate legal entity as New Zealand’s Head of State (i.e. “Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God Queen of New Zealand and Her Other Realms and Territories…“) whereas Lesotho has its own constitutional monarch, His Majesty King Letsie III of the Royal House of Moshesh.
In New Zealand the daily functions of the monarch are carried out by a Governor-General serving as the Sovereign’s Personal Representative. The incumbent being HE Lieutenant General Sir Jerry Jeremiah Mateparae, 20th Governor-General since 31 August 2011.
Another Westminster-inspired system, that of New Zealand, also saw the opening of its 51st parliament on 21 October 2014. In New Zealand, the “Speech from the Throne” is delivered by the Personal Representative of the realm’s Sovereign, the “Governor-General of New Zealand”. Like in Lesotho the speech is actually an outline of the government’s intentions and plans for the new legislature.
Both the Kingdom of Lesotho and the Realm of New Zealand are among the 53-members of the Commonwealth of Nations. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is a separate legal entity as New Zealand’s Head of State (i.e. “Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God Queen of New Zealand and Her Other Realms and Territories…“) whereas Lesotho has its own constitutional monarch, His Majesty King Letsie III of the Royal House of Moshesh.
In New Zealand the daily functions of the monarch are carried out by a Governor-General serving as the Sovereign’s Personal Representative. The incumbent being HE Lieutenant General Sir Jerry Jeremiah Mateparae, 20th Governor-General since 31 August 2011.
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Taiwan celebrates National Day
The reception in celebration of the 103rd National Day of the Republic of China (Taiwan), hosted by the Taipei Representative Office in The Netherlands on October 8 at the Crown Plaza Hotel in The Hague, was attended by a few hundreds guests. Among these guests were Dutch dignitaries, Members of Parliament and former (Prime)-Ministers, residing Ambassadors and Representatives from the trade, cultural and academic sectors in the Netherlands.
Taiwan Representative James Lee presented in his remark an update on Taiwan’s position as a peace maker in Asia and on the bilateral relations of his country with The Netherlands and the EU. Sharing the same values and principles with The Netherlands and the EU in peace, human rights and democracy while referring to the strong advancing connection in trade, investment, scientific research, innovation and sustainability, Representative Lee also urged for support in initiating negotiations for an Economic Cooperation Agreement between Taiwan and the EU.
The Representative gained support in this issue, echoed in a speech by liberal party VVD spokesman for foreign affairs and parliamentarian Han ten Broeke. Another speaker, former Dutch Premier Dries van Agt, lauded the striving democracy and booming economy in Taiwan and its strong ties with The Netherlands. 
The reception continued with a lavish dinner buffet and a showcase of Taiwan design products together with a splendid exposition of Franz Porcelain, an integration of Eastern aesthetics and Western Art Nouveau style, and lasted long after the official closing time. At the end, all guests returned home with a Taiwan orchid as a remembrance to a pleasant meeting with friends of Taiwan.
DM & Panorama Mesdag
Diplomat Magazine & Panorama Mesdag
On Sunday October 19th, Diplomat Magazine and Panorama Mesdag organized a courtesy visit to the permanent and temporary exhibit of Panorama Mesdag here in The Hague. Entering Panorama Mesdag is stepping into the largest painting of the Netherlands. Have a 360º look around you and you will experience the magic of this illusional panoramic view of 1881. The view is never the same. On dark winter days the scene is grey and chilly. When it is sunny outside the fleeting light is superb. This vista of sea, dunes and of the old fishing village and emerging seaside resort of Scheveningen was created by one of the most famous painters of the ‘The Hague’ School, Hendrik Willem Mesdag. With its enormous size (120 x 14 meters) the Panorama Mesdag is a unique cultural heritage monument. The cultural visit was very well attended by new Head of Diplomatic Missions accredited to the Netherlands and members of the diplomatic corps, including the Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Pakistan in Berlin. After a guided-tour to the Panorama, a coffee break was offered to the invitees. This is one additional element and already a renowned practice of Diplomat Magazine’s interest in promoting culture for the diplomatic community. 
A Huge Diplomatic event for a Small Country
We are honored to have witnessed the opening of Juan Carlos Reyes’ painting works at the Wittenburg last Thursday October 16th. Diplomat Magazine is proud once again to support cultural events as part of our initial policy. Our policy is enhanced even more when it relates to a small emerging state such as the Dominican Republic. But the success of this recent painting exhibit at the Wittenburg Castle in Wassenaar is the initiative of Dominican ambassador Luis Arias in an effort to place Dominican Public Diplomacy in a better position in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. There were over one hundred distinguished guests, including many ambassadors, just to mention few, the ambassadors of Switzerland, Chile, Burundi, Venezuela, Kosovo and Angola. Six judges of different tribunals and international courts were also present. Mr. Jan Hoekema, Mayor of Wassenaar addressed a welcome speech, followed by Dominican Ambassador Luis Arias and Mr. Ludwig Garcia, CEO of the Dominican pharmaceutical corporation, Laboratorios de Aplicaciones Medicas (LAM), sponsoring the exhibit together with Diplomat Magazine. Mrs. Ana Ferrand, 1st Secretary and Dr. Eugene Matos, Minister Counselor at the Dominican Republic Embassy (currently Honorary Associate Publisher of Diplomat Magazine), Ludwig Garcias, his wife Raquel Lumbrano de Garcia and Juan Carlos Reyes, were part of the line of reception together with His Excellency Ambassador Luis Arias. It was successfully covered by the Dutch press, including the renowned The Hague-based journalist Leo van der Velde in his last Friday column, click here to access the article: Dutch.press.article
FULL PHOTO-ALBUM OF THIS EVENT CLICK HERE: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/sets/72157648434298980/
The Wittenburg personnel were extremely attentive throughout the event, ensuring that everything went smoothly. In attendance were those at the heart of the scene: diplomats, photographers, lawyers, professionals and volunteers. Juan Carlos Reyes, the Dominican painter, was born in Santiago de los Caballeros , Dominican Republic . From an early age, he showed great interest in the visual arts. At 20 Juan Carlos started training with famous professor Chiqui Mendoza. He held his first exhibition in “La Casa de la Cultura” in Santiago de los Caballeros. A year later he began studying architecture at the University of Santiago UTESA, but he interrupted his studies to dedicate his life to painting.
Juan Carlos will be heading now to the United Kingdom in November, after receiving an invitation a week ago from the Dominican Republic Embassy in London.
The Wittenburg personnel were extremely attentive throughout the event, ensuring that everything went smoothly. In attendance were those at the heart of the scene: diplomats, photographers, lawyers, professionals and volunteers. Juan Carlos Reyes, the Dominican painter, was born in Santiago de los Caballeros , Dominican Republic . From an early age, he showed great interest in the visual arts. At 20 Juan Carlos started training with famous professor Chiqui Mendoza. He held his first exhibition in “La Casa de la Cultura” in Santiago de los Caballeros. A year later he began studying architecture at the University of Santiago UTESA, but he interrupted his studies to dedicate his life to painting.
Juan Carlos will be heading now to the United Kingdom in November, after receiving an invitation a week ago from the Dominican Republic Embassy in London. 
