Exposition Suze Robertson (1855-1922)
By Drs. Eva Maria Mennes.
One of the many hidden treasures of The Hague is Panorama Mesdag. The panorama itself is already worth visiting whereas the museum now is focusing on the painter Suze Robertson with an exposition of drawings and paintings. The painter was one of the first female students visiting the ArtAcademy in The Hague. After having finished her studies she continued to take drawing- and painting lessons at the ArtAcademy in Rotterdam. She insisted on taking part of the lessons with a nude model which was restricted to male artist students only. Quirky and talented she works with strong expressionistic strokes and dark colors in the tradition of the HagueSchool, the art movement of the time. She was very much admired by her famous male colleagues Breitner and Van Gogh, art critics and merchants in the Netherlands and abroad. Charley Toorop, a lady painter from the beginning of the 20th century called her the most important female artist of the 19th century and one of the first full time professional lady artists in the Netherlands of her time.
The exposition at Panorama Mesdag, The Hague is open from 15th of December until the 23th of March 2014, Monday until Saturday from 10.00 to 17.00 and on Sundays from 12.00 until 17.00 hours. http://panorama-mesdag.com/
ARTS. New Museums in Mexico
By John Dunkelgrün.
Director ARTANA latin American fine art
In general I want to write on cultural subjects to do with The Netherlands, but my experiences on recent trip to Mexico were so special, I’d like to share them with readers of Diplomat Magazine. Most people will have heard of the famous Natural History Museum in Mexico City with its treasures of pre-hispanic art, but there are several other major museums in the same area, like the Tamayo Museum and the Museum of Modern Art. All these are predominantly devoted to Mexican art and are well worth visiting. However, they were recently joined by two new museums that are more international in scope. The first is the Soumaya Museum in the Nuevo Polanco area which houses the collection of Carlos Slim, the Mexican mogul. The architect was his son in law, Fernando Romero, together with Ove Arup and Frank Gehry. The design of the museum is staggeringly beautiful (see photo) and original. There are four oval shaped floors filled with Mexican and international works of art. A whole floor is devoted to sculpture (mainly Rodin and Dali), one to Mexican artists like Diego Rivera and David Alfaro Siqueiros but also a huge display of pre-hispanic objects. There is a floor with an international collection of XIX and early XXth century paintings, among which quite a few Renoirs. The pity is that in spite of the magnificent building and the big names of the artists, the collection is essentially second rate. The works are placed hotchpotch all over the floor without any obvious plan and the descriptions (only in Spanish) are very minimal. It is a great pity because there are some real gems rarely seen together, especially the Dali bronzes on the top floor.
Right next door is the brand new Jumex Museum which shows the collection of Eugenio Lopez Alonszo and was designed by Davis Chipperfield. The building itself, while less spectacular than the Soumaya, is a real work of art and evidence of cutting edge museum design. It houses by far the best collection of contemporary (1990’s to today) art in Latin America, one of the best private collections in the world. It was brought together by the curators Patricia Martin and Patrick Charpenel. The floors wind around a central utility column with stairs and elevators and are large, bright, and very high without becoming cavernous. I was lucky to be at the pre-opening which among other exhibits had a whole floor devoted to the work of James Lee Byars: “½ an autobiography”.
Mexico City, already well supplied with well over a hundred museums, has just become that much more of a magnet for art lovers.
Violins from The Hague in Europe’s top venues
By Dmitry Badiarov, violin-maker max.
As this feature is being written, Sergey Malov, an award winning violinist is performing on the stage of one of the most prestigious concert halls in Spain, the Auditorio Nacional de Musica in Madrid. The program is Johann Sebastian Bach, two Suites for violoncello da spalla, György Ligeti, Sonata for a viola solo and Luciano Berio, Naturale, a work inspired by sicilian melodies for viola and percussions. Instruments on stage are a viola by Pietro Gaggini and violoncello da spalla by Dmitry Badiarov, built in The Hague. As the program shows, Sergey Malov is a rare kind of virtuoso performing on several instruments with equal proficiency. He has won prizes on violin and viola at several competitions: Paganini 2006, Heifetz 2009, ARD 2009 (Viola), Tokyo Viola Competition 2010, W. A. Mozart Salzburg Competition (Violin) and Michael Hill International Violin Competition 2011.
Early next year he will be giving a master-class in The Hague at Badiarov Violins gallery and workshop on Noordeinde. The target audience: violinist, violists and cellists, as well as general music connoisseurs. The master-class will take place in February 1-2 from 10:00 till 17:00. Maximum number of active participants is limited to six and more information is available on my website http://badiarovviolins.com/this-months-masters/
Sergey Malov has been invited to play concertos on both violin and viola by the London, Tokyo and St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestras, the Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks in Munich, and Camerata Salzburg and the Mozarteum Orchester Salzburg. His instrument collection includes a violin by Peter Greiner (2004), a viola by Pietro Gaggini (1958) on loan from the Foundation Carlo van Neste, and two instruments by Dmitry Badiarov: violoncello da spalla built especially for him in 2011 and a baroque violin commissioned by Sergey Malov and completed in October 2013. On the latter two instruments he recently debuted at Berlin Philharmonic with Italian concertos for violin and violoncello da spalla, accompanied by the Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin.
http://badiarovviolins.com
Korzo
By Karin O’Flynn, President IWC The Hague.
If contemporary art is your passion and you have an interest in dance, the Korzo theatre is a great discovery. Hidden in a side street in the heart of The Hague center, you enter into a world of talent, inspiration and immense vitality.
I was made aware of the building during an architectural guided tour and what I found behind the walls, is worth more than a visit. In fact, Korzo has really a reputation for not only being an adventurous venue in the old city center, but particularly being one of the largest producers for dance in the Netherlands and at the forefront of developments in the international world of dance.
Artistic director Leo Spreksel explains that in the field of the arts, Korzo has always made a strong case for seeking out, mobilizing, and supervising talent. Korzo also takes initiatives to foster new developments in the performing arts. From a vision regarding content, the team creates a fruitful relationship between production and presentation, and between different artistic disciplines.
IWC members had a chance to look behind the scenes and get a personal introduction to the work of Korzo’s artists. It was an exciting and memorable experience to witness the creation of one of the performances. Young choreographs such as Jasper van Luijk and David Middendorp demonstrated convincingly their talent and very personal viscontact ion of dance.
Korzo definitely one of The Hague´s jewels you would want to know. www.korzo.nl
The International Women’s Contact The Hague is organizing a wide range of stimulation activities, lectures and excursion for expat women and happily welcome new members. More info on www.iwcthehague.nl
With a broad outlook, Korzo places this vision in an international context, and, at the same time, in dialogue with the audience. Presenting and producing work, Korzo is at the forefront of developments in the (international) world of dance. Inspiration, vitality, involvement, openness, diversity and encounter are of paramount importance, and are traits with which we try to bring out the best in the artists and their projects, in the audience, and in the organization itself. It all comes together in the beautiful renovated building Korzo calls home where festivals and tours by (inter)national dance companies stop by for a change to meet the audience.
Korzo, Prinsestraat 42, The Hague. Phone: 070-3637540. www.korzo.nl
From diplomat’s spouse to gold trader
By Naomi Weststrate – Irak, spouse of Dutch diplomat.
With my husband and my two daughters we have travelled quite a bit. My husband’s first overseas posting was Berlin, Germany. In the time we were there, the economy was booming and especially in the East of Berlin building sites were omnipresent. The outlook of the city was changing almost by the month… The same we noticed when we arrived in Moscow for our second tour abroad. Business was going well for everyone and the city was flourishing. In the course of our stay there we experienced the beginning of the economic crisis and saw people getting poorer. One of the phenomena this brought along was that everywhere “lombards”, pawn shops were established, places where people could leave their possessions in exchange for money.
When we returned to the Netherlands, I decided I wanted to start working again. I decided to follow both my own passion and the long family tradition I come from: the gold and silver business. As a business model, I decided to step into a niche that was still void in the Netherlands: Offering people the opportunity to exchange their old jewelry for cash money in an “up-market” fashion.
I had noticed that for many people, and particularly for diplomats, the threshold to go and sell their old gold and silver was quite high, even though they would have carried it around the world for several years without ever wearing or using it. This is quite different from selling your possessions at a pawn shop like we saw in some countries, it is just a way to get rid of unused items and be able to spend the money you receive for that on things you really like, be it a new piece of jewelry, be it a new outfit or be it a nice trip.
One of the reasons that would make people reluctant to exchange their old jewelry for money is the fact that shops in this line of work can be quite “shabby” and are often located in less pleasant neighborhoods, just like the “lombards” I saw in other European cities. That is why I decided to locate my shop at the Van Hoytemastraat, a stylish and pleasant shopping street in Benoordenhout, a neighborhood where many expats and diplomats are located. I decorated my shop in a way that would make people feel at ease and give them a feeling of trust and personal attention.
In the course of the years I have received many fellow diplomats in my shop. Many of them have compelling stories to tell. Often jewelry is connected with such life stories: a loved one who used to wear it, a piece bought in country such and such, etc. That’s why I value personal attention and take the time to listen to stories of people who want to tell them. And of course, a Nespresso or a good cup of tea is always available.
http://www.degoudwaag.nl/en/
Croatia ratifies amendments to the Rome Statute
Croatia ratifies amendments to the Rome Statute on the crime of aggression and on article 8 related to war crimes.
In direct from the ICC.
The President of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute, Ambassador Tiina Intelmann, welcomed the deposit today of the instruments of ratification of the 2010 amendments to the Rome Statute, by Ambassador Vladimir Drobnjak, Permanent Representative of Croatia to the United Nations.
The first of these amendments concerns the crime of aggression; this amendment was adopted in a historic consensus at the 2010 Review Conference of the Rome Statute in Kampala, Uganda. The second of these amendments pertains to article 8 of the Rome Statute and concerns the use of certain weapons during non-international armed conflict as war crimes.
“The deposit of instruments of ratification by Croatia brings the number of ratifications of the crime of aggression to thirteen. I hope that other States Parties will follow suit in order to achieve soon the universal ratification of the Kampala Amendments,” stated President Intelmann.
Croatia is the third Eastern European country to ratify the Kampala Amendments. Croatia ratified the Rome Statute on 21 May 2001, becoming the 32nd State Party, and also ratified the Agreement of Privileges and Immunities of the Court on 17 December 2004. Croatia has also completed the process of domestic implementation of the Rome Statute through the incorporation of the crimes and general principles contained in the Rome Statute, including the definition of the crime of aggression as provided for in the Kampala Amendments, and of the necessary provisions to ensure effective cooperation with the International Criminal Court.
The crime of aggression was initially included in the Rome Statute in 1998 as one of the crimes under the jurisdiction of the Court, while the definition of the crime and the mechanism for the Court’s exercise of jurisdiction were deferred to a Review Conference. The amendments adopted in Kampala, Uganda in 2010 define the crime of aggression and provide for the conditions for the exercise of jurisdiction over this crime. The Court may exercise jurisdiction over the crime of aggression once thirty States Parties have ratified the amendments, and subject to a decision to be taken after 1 January 2017 by the States Parties.
Crime of aggression amendments UN Treaty – Ratification participants list Article 8 amendments UN Treaty – Ratification participants list
Latvia,18th Eurozone member state
On 1 January 2014 Latvia became the 18th country of the Eurozone and sharing a currency with more than 332 million people. Minister of Finance Andris Vilks explains: “Latvia will not be a silent partner but will take an active part in policy making to further strengthen European integration.”
The past decade has been a very turbulent period for the Latvian economy. From acquiring double digit growth figures before 2008, the country has since not only experienced a double digit drop in GDP but also managed to rebound to a healthier economy and mitigate the many socioeconomic consequences of the global economic crisis. Latvia’s GDP growth in 2012 reached 5.0% and during this period Latvia was the fastest growing economy in the EU. Economic growth in Latvia in the third quarter of 2013 was the 2nd highest in the EU. The Ministry of Finance revised its macroeconomic forecasts in June 2013, increasing the projected GDP growth in 2013 and 2014 to 4.2%. In the medium term, GDP is expected to maintain a 4% growth rate.
“Practical preparations for the transition period have entered the final stage. Latvian authorities have made a thorough and systematic effort over the last months to ensure a smooth and safe changeover process. Most of the activities are developed in close cooperation with and participation of a wide range of private and public sector institutions and experts,” says Finance Ministry State Secretary Sanita Bajāre.
To ensure convenient cash circulation following the euro changeover starting from 1 January 2014, a two-week long dual circulation period of both currencies – lats and euros – was introduced. During this period it was be possible to pay for goods and services in both currencies.
The “Eurozone joins Latvia” events are organised by the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Latvia in cooperation with the Bank of Latvia, State Chancellery and other governmental and nongovernmental authorities.
The President of Kosovo pays a visit to Diplomat Club The Hague
Her Excellency, Atifete Jahjaga President of Kosovo, visited on Thursday 5th of December a Diplomats Meet & Greet, an event hosted by H.E. Ms. Vjosa Dobruna Ambassador of Kosovo to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Ms. Vjosa Dobruna welcomed members of the diplomatic corps and special guests.
The President of the Republic of Kosovo, H.E. Ms. Atifete Jahjaga, was received by King Willem-Alexander King of the Kingdom of The Netherlands, by the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mr. Mark Rutte, at the Senate and the Chamber of Representatives of the Kingdom of Netherlands.
President Atifete Jahjaga was born 20 April 1975 and is the fourth President of Kosovo, the first female President of the Republic of Kosovo, the first non-partisan candidate, the first female head of state in the modern Balkans and the youngest to be elected to the office. President Jahjaga served as Deputy Director of the Kosovo Police holding the rank of Lieutenant Colonel General, the highest rank amongst women in Southeastern Europe.
Diplomats meet & greet took place on 5 December at Carlton Ambassador, in collaboration with Diplomat Cub The Hague, Diplomat Magazine.
For additional pictures about this event please click here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/98057281@N02/sets/72157638560517866/
Photographer: Roland Smulders.
Happy Holidays from Diplomat Magazine Staff
Holiday Greetings !!!!
The team of the Diplomat Magazine wishes our readers and followers a Happy Holiday Season and a prosperous and healthy New Year! Our magazine will maintain its commitment to keep our readers informed about diplomatic events and other news items relevant to the diplomatic community. We thank you for your interest in our magazine and hope to see many of you at the various events in 2014! Happy Holidays from Diplomat Magazine’s photographers !
Our team of photographers wish you all the best for 2014 !!!
