Diplomat Affairs Magazine 2021/2022

DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS AMARE Powerhouse for the Arts in The Hague DIPLOMAT CLUB WASSENAAR Welcomes 17 New Ambassadors OPCW First Pilar Ceremony PAN AMSTERDAM Vibrant Art Exhibition KASTEEL DE WITTENBURG Home Away from Home IN TOUCH WITH THE DUTCH

Landgoed De Wittenburg 1, 2244 BV Wassenaar – The Netherlands

“MUSIC AND ART ARE THE GUIDING LIGHTS OF THE WORLD” Pablo Picasso

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To this we dedicate this edition of Diplomat Affairs magazine, to Art in its many forms and to how it brings light to our world.

A world that has been darkened by the Covid-19 pandemic.

We choose to hope that though it is not over, we are slowly but surely moving towards a post Covid-19 era where we at Diplomat Club Wassenaar can once again organise events for our honorary members and friends, in line with the protocol in force.

I would like to take a moment to reflect on those who have left us, to express our solidarity to their families and loved ones.

The world is moving on and so are we, presenting this new edition with joy and gratitude. A magazine dedicated to Art, as we partner for this edition with PAN Amsterdam and in collaboration with Tableau magazine, featuring some of the exhibitioners of the fantastic PAN Art fair attracting yearly 45.000 visitors.

And Music: we congratulate our partner The Royal Conservatoire

Excellencies, we are deeply grateful for your time, effort and

The Hague with their amazing new house of performing arts:

openness in this modern way of conducting diplomacy.

Amare.

It was a joy and a privilege to bring this magazine to

We are thrilled to present a series of articles, mostly written

completion, with the dedication of our staff and partners,

by our esteemed Honorary Members, the Ambassadors where

pursuing in this way our mission to keep our members “in

they candidly share their vision on their mandate here in The

touch with the Dutch”.

Netherlands, on Art, and their points of focus, in which we see

As 2021 almost comes to an end, may I wish you all a blissful

a shared concern regarding climate change and security, and

and healthy 2022.

where they highlight past and future activities.

Shida Bliek, Publisher

Publisher/Founder Shida Bliek | TenRande Foundation Senior Correspondent Julie Kennedy Staff Photographer Anton van der Riet Photo cover Robin Utrecht/ANP Postal address Postbus 33, 2240 AA Wassenaar | E-mail diplomataffairsnl@gmail.com WWW.DIPLOMATAFFAIRS.NL DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS 3

CONTENTS DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS 2021/2022

Up close and personal; Ambassadors share their vision 10 12 14 16 20 22 24 26

China India Brazil Thailand Egypt Rwanda The Philippines Cameroon

28 30 34 36 38 42 46

Morocco Australia Uruguay Panama Suriname Belarus North Macedonia 6 Welcome Ambassadors!

48 Royal State Visit Greece

50 OPCW “First Pillar”

56 Eyes on The Holy See

60 Amare Royal Conservatoire

64 Saudi Arabia celebrates

70 UAE-NL: 50 years

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74 Egyptian tourism

78 Mayor Jan van Zanen

80 Azerbaijani fairy-tale book

84 Kasteel de Wittenburg

86 PAN Director Mark Grol

114 Aelbert Cuyp

Fair for Art, Antiques and Design

Diplomat Affairs magazine, in partnership with PAN Amsterdam Director Mark Grol and in collaboration with Tableau publisher Ms. Dominique van der Mee; are delighted to present a collection of articles highlighting various Art exhibitioners.

Through the eyes of Pierre Audi

GUIDANCE AND TRANSLATION BY MS. JULIE KENNEDY

RAI Amsterdam 14 November — 21 November 2021 www.pan.nl

90-113 Highlighting various Art Exhibitioners on PAN Amsterdam Affiche PAN.indd Alle pagina's

31-10-2021 13:31

DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS 5

Welcome Ceremony New Ambassadors, Sunshine after the Dark: celebrating the human connection The improvement of the Covid-19 situation finally enabled us to hold our bi-annual Welcome Ceremony for newly accredited Ambassadors to the Netherlands. There were seventeen new Ambassadors to welcome as honorary members to Diplomat Club Wassenaar, many with their spouses.

BY JULIE KENNEDY/PHOTOS ANTON VAN DER RIET

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Some Ambassadors had mostly stayed confined in their Residences for more than six months and this was their first opportunity to connect.

On arrival, the new Ambassadors received the traditional Dutch flag pin bestowed by DCW before making their way to Director and Founder of Diplomat Club Wassenaar Mrs Shida Bliek, and President of TenRande Foundation Mr Peter Bliek.

Spirits were high at this opportunity to finally connect face to face, meet, exchange, and fulfil their mission and mandate: to build bridges.

The joy and enthusiasm were almost palpable, as guests turned from one to another, 6 DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS

conversations flowing, meeting each other, and renewing contact amidst the still present challenge of maintaining 1.5 m distance. The only cloud was that Mrs Bliek would have so much liked to be able to invite all Ambassadors to this celebration of diplomacy, but we will gratefully accept for now having been able to hold this event, and strongly look forward to being able to host an event with all our Honorary Member Ambassadors.

Mrs Shida Bliek welcomed the new Ambassadors to the Club saying: “Today we are not only welcoming the new Ambassadors but also the honorary Ambassadors with

whom we have shared so many memories and have not seen for a while due to Covid-19.

I feel like we are renewing our vows today.

Mrs. Bliek invited the Mayor of the Municipality of Wassenaar, Mr Leendert de Lange to address the assembly.

The mayor expressed his joy in being able to welcome, together with alderman and deputy mayor Mrs. Caroline Klaver-Bouman, the guests to the Municipality of Wassenaar. In his speech, Mayor de Lange thanked Mrs. Bliek for organising this special event and for her dedication to the Club.

All the new Ambassadors were named one by

Mayor of Wassenaar Mr. Leendert de Lange. “Today there are so many nationalities present here, it feels like presenting the Euro Song Contest”, quipped the mayor.

one and offered a bag with Dutch cheese made with milk from Wassenaar’s cows! “Today there are so many nationalities present here, it feels like presenting the Euro Song Contest” quipped the mayor.

Mayor de Lange emphasised that Wassenaar has about 26.000 inhabitants, 20 percent of which are expats which makes the municipality of Wassenaar an international community.

Once more this year, the magazine Elsevier has crowned Wassenaar the best place to live in South Holland and 5th in the Netherlands. He explained that Wassenaar actually only became known when Louis Bonaparte ordered the

ALL THE NEW AMBASSADORS WERE NAMED ONE BY ONE AND OFFERED A BAG WITH DUTCH CHEESE MADE WITH MILK FROM WASSENAAR’S COWS! construction of the Heerweg, currently the Rijksstraatweg.

He encouraged the

Ambassadors to visit all the highlights of Wassenaar and of the Netherlands, stressing that the best way to do so was by bike!

The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco, H.E. Mr. Abdelouahab Bellouki, took to the stage as Dean of the Arab Ambassadors to bid farewell to HE Mr. Nawaf Wasfi El Tell, Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to the Kingdom of the Netherlands who has been installed as Minister of State for Follow-up and Government Coordination.

As Master of Ceremony for the evening, I seized the occasion to explain to the new DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS 7

Ambassadors the main raison d’ être of the club, and the vision of the founder Mrs Bliek, to create a neutral environment where politics and religion could be put aside and where our Honorary Member Ambassadors could meet not only with their colleagues but also with the captains of Industry and Dutch officials from all walks of life.

Our Club may be called Diplomat Club Wassenaar, but we do not see The Hague and Wassenaar as separate entities. The Embassies

A NEUTRAL ENVIRONMENT WHERE POLITICS AND RELIGION COULD BE PUT ASIDE AND WHERE OUR HONORARY MEMBER AMBASSADORS COULD MEET NOT ONLY WITH THEIR COLLEAGUES BUT ALSO WITH THE CAPTAINS OF INDUSTRY AND DUTCH OFFICIALS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE.

are all in The Hague, the Ambassadors work together in The Hague. Residencies are in The Hague and Wassenaar. We have chosen Kasteel De Wittenburg as our base, as, we believe it borders on both.

As H.E. Mr. Fernando Arias, the DirectorGeneral of the OPCW emphasized in his speech at our last event: “We have, in The Hague – Wassenaar a very special international community where diplomats establish strong relationships, which often develop into friendships which help them very much in their work.”

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From left to right, first row: H.E. Mrs. Madeleine Liguemoh Ondoua, Ambassador of Cameroon, H.E. Mrs. Dr. Eniola Ajayi, Ambassador of Nigeria, Mayor of Wassenaar Mr. Leendert de Lange, H.E. Mrs. Marisol Flavia Agüero Colugna, Ambassador of Peru

Second row: H.E. Mr. J. Eduardo Malaya, Ambassador of The Philippines, H.E. Mr. Slim Ghariani, Ambassador of Tunisia, H.E. Mr. José Antonio, Zabalgoitia Ambassador of Mexico, Mrs. Shida Bliek, H.E. Mr. Olivier Jean Patrick Nduhungirehe, Ambassdor of Rwanda, H.E. Mr. Pradeep Kumar Rawat, Ambassador of

India, H.E. Mr. Chatri Archjananun, Ambassador of Thailand, H.E. Mr. Tan Jian, Ambassador of China Third row: H.E. Mr. Abdelouahab Bellouki, Ambassador of Morocco, H.E. Mr. Andrei Yeudachenka, Ambassador of Belarus, H.E. Mr. Ziad M.D. Al Atiyah, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi

Arabia, H.E. Mr. Hatem Elsayed Mohamed Kamaleldin Ambassador of Egypt, H.E. Mr. Paulo Roberto Caminha de Castilhos França, Ambassador of Brazil, H.E. Mrs. Laura Dupuy, Ambassador of Uruguay, H.E. Ms. Elizabeth Ward Neiman, Ambassador of Panama, H.E. Mrs. Beti Jacheva, Ambassador of North Macedonia, H.E. Mgr. Aldo

Cavalli Ambassador of The Holy See, H.E. Mr. Rejendre Khargi Ambassador of Suriname, H.E. Mr. Matthew Neuhaus of Australia.

DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS 9

china

from the highlands to the lowlands It is a great honour as well as a heavy responsibility for me to serve as ambassador of China to the Netherlands. In my more than three decades of service in foreign affairs, I have spent most of them in the field of multilateral development. My previous posting was as ambassador to Ethiopia, the roof of Africa.

So, I flowed from the highlands to the lowlands – the Netherlands.

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BY H.E. MR. TAN JIAN, AMBASSADOR OF THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA

Although situated on the opposite side of the Eurasia continent, the peoples of China and the Netherlands have many shared interests and connections, and our relationship is gaining momentum in building the “Open and Pragmatic Partnership of Comprehensive Cooperation”, as termed by our leaders.

We joined hands in tackling the Covid-19.

Our governments have worked together in establishing a special cargo air bridge to ensure essential medical supplies to the Netherlands, maintaining a stable industrial and supply chain, and promoting economic recovery.

Our economic ties have become closer, against the odds of the pandemic. Our bilateral trade last year grew by 7.8%, China became the largest trading partner to the Netherlands outside the EU. In the first half of this year, our trade increased further by more than 30%.

Among EU countries, the Netherlands is the largest destination of Chinese investment and second largest source of investment to China.

Those achievements demonstrate the resilience, potential and entrepreneurship of our business.

China is striving to build an open economy on a higher level, which will bring more opportunities for our economic cooperation.

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NEXT YEAR, CHINA AND THE NETHERLANDS WILL CELEBRATE THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF OUR AMBASSADORIAL DIPLOMATIC RELATIONSHIP. We can protect our planet together. China has set the goal of peaking carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality before 2060.The job is hard, but our commitment is firm. During COP 15, China has called for the building of a community of

all life on Earth and initiated the Kunming Biodiversity Fund with 1.5 billion RMB yuan.

The Netherlands has been a champion on sustainable development. Prime Minister Mark Rutte virtually attended the Second United Nations Global SustainableTransport Conference held in Beijing and delivered a speech this October. We have huge cooperation potential in green development and combating climate change.

While being optimistic, I am sober minded about the challenges ahead, against the backdrop of the changing global landscape.

China bashing is on the rise. But our goal is simply to meet the growing aspiration of the Chinese people for a better life. To replace any other country is never our national strategy. We export goods, not systems. The unprecedented global challenges today require unprecedented cooperation. China is part of the solution, not part of the problem.

Next year, China and the Netherlands will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of our ambassadorial diplomatic relationship. As ambassador, I will do my level best to enhance understanding and strengthen partnership between our two countries.

The Ambassador of the Republic of China to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, H.E. Mr. Tan Jian and Mrs. Jiang Xiaoyan.

DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS 11

india

a historical connection spanning close to four centuries The atmosphere in India in the months of October and November is filled with joy as India celebrates some of its most important festivals. Beginning with the colourful dances during the Navaratri and the artistically and spiritually decorated marquees dedicated to Goddess Durga, the festivities continue until Deepawali – the festival of light.

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BY H.E. MR. PRADEEP KUMAR RAWAT, AMBASSADOR OF INDIA

It is significant that the main idea and theme woven into these festivals is the age-old message that the Good will ultimately triumph over Bad and that Light will displace Darkness.

These festivities continue as in the Netherlands, Sinterklaas then continues into Christmas. It is, therefore, very timely that we now see a return to normal life both in India and the Netherlands, and in other parts of the world. It is time for us to celebrate the resilience of the human spirit which was severely tested in the last two years by the Coronavirus pandemic.

My wife Shruti joins me in wishing all the readers of the Diplomat Affairs magazine Happy Festivities filled with good health.

Our two countries and peoples share a historical connection spanning close to four centuries. As two democratic and independent nations, we started a new chapter in our relationship in 1947 when India, a young nation but an ancient civilization, established diplomatic relations with the Netherlands. In the last 75 years, we have added several glorious pages to this new chapter. The Netherlands now hosts the largest Indian diaspora in the EU which has not only contributed to the continued economic success of the Dutch 12 DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS

MY WIFE SHRUTI JOINS ME IN WISHING ALL THE READERS OF THE DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS MAGAZINE HAPPY FESTIVITIES FILLED WITH GOOD HEALTH.

society, but they have also enriched it with their unique cultural traditions. They have played the role of an important bridge in connecting the two peoples to enhance mutual understanding.

The Netherlands has a number of well-known scholars on Sanskrit and Vedic civilization knowledge including Yoga, Ayurveda and various spiritual traditions of India. It would be our common endeavour to build upon the good work done by the previous generations of scholars.

Our two countries have a dedicated agenda to cooperation for Water, Agriculture and Health christened WAH! During the State visit of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima to India in 2019, we were able to further strengthen our engagement in these three pillars. We established a Strategic Partnership on Water during the Virtual Summit in April 2021 between Prime Ministers Narender Modi and Mark Rutte. This was their fourth Summit meeting. These exchanges have further cemented our relationship which is based on shared values of democracy, respect for rule of law, pluralism, and inclusivity. We hope to further strengthen our partnership so as to make an effective contribution towards achievement of the SDGs and usher in a greener future for our common planet based on the idea of ‘One Sun, One World, One Grid’.

Ambassador of the Republic of India to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, H.E. Mr. Pradeep Kumar and Mrs. Shruti Rawat.

DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS 13

brazil

strengthen the ties of friendship I arrived with my family in the Hague last December, and had the honor to present my credentials to His Majesty King Willem-Alexander just a few days later.

BY H.E. MR. PAULO ROBERTO CAMINHA DE CASTILHOS FRANÇA, AMBASSADOR OF BRAZIL TO THE NETHERLANDS

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The mission assigned to me was twofold: to strengthen the ties of friendship and cooperation which have been a hallmark of relations between Brazil and the Netherlands throughout our rich shared history; and to work within Brazil’s traditional role as an honest broker in multilateral affairs, with a view to enhancing the capacity of the organizations in the Hague to fulfill their roles.

Arriving for a new diplomatic posting in the midst of a pandemic, needless to say, poses a series of challenges, which I had not yet experienced in my prior appointments. As with all of us, I had to resort to videoconferencing to establish contacts with the wide role of actors I need to engage with. This was of course useful, and yet you inevitably end up missing an element of human contact which is essential for diplomatic work.

Now, with vaccination efforts rendering fruit – both in Brazil and the Netherlands – and the steady lifting of restrictions, we are ready to shift gears and resume an agenda of cultural and trade events, as well as high-level visits, taking due account of the safety measures still in place.

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NOW, WITH VACCINATION EFFORTS RENDERING FRUIT AND THE STEADY LIFTING OF RESTRICTIONS, WE ARE READY TO SHIFT GEARS AND RESUME AN AGENDA OF CULTURAL AND TRADE EVENTS In October, we have planned events showcasing Brazilian coffee, meat and “cachaça” (a spirit made from sugar cane, used for making “caipirinha”). In November,

we will host the Brazil Network Day, at EUROPORT, in Rotterdam, focusing on port development and maritime technology.

Also in November, we expect a ministerial visit which will focus on water management, as well as a high-level visit promoting business opportunities in the Northeastern state of Ceará.

We also plan to sponsor a conference of the vibrant diaspora of Brazilian researchers and graduate students in the Netherlands, as well as promote the participation of Brazilian start-ups in events such as The Next Web, strengthening the ties on the business side of cutting-edge technology. In the field of culture, we look forward to continuing our fruitful cooperation with the International Film Festival Rotterdam, which over the years has proved to be an extremely valuable platform for young Brazilian directors and actors to exhibit their work.

We thus expect an exciting finish to a challenging year, portending a heightened agenda for the coming years, and fully reflecting the intensity of relations between Brazil and the Netherlands.

The Ambassador of the Federative Republic of Brazil: H.E. Mr. Paulo Roberto Caminha de Castilhos França and Mrs Ivana Mainenti França.

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thailand

a strong bond between the two Royal Families Ambassador Chatri Archjananun of Thailand expresses his enthusiasm in deepening the long span of multi-faceted relations between the Kingdom of Thailand and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The two nations share various similarities, particularly in sustainable development.

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The Netherlands is a world leader in combating climate change, while Thailand is spearheading in BCG (bio circular green) economy both at home and in various regional blocs, particularly its upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) chairmanship next year. Both nations have vibrant open societies, which are bedrocks for creative economy and tourism. Pre-COVID-19, more than 200,000 Dutch tourists visited Thailand each year. The re-opening of Thailand, particularly the Phuket Sandbox, allow vaccinated tourists to roam freely on the beautiful island of Phuket without quarantine.

From 1 November onwards, Thailand will, step by step, embrace fully vaccinated international travellers without quarantine requirement, starting from low-risk countries including the Netherlands. In the new normal era, the Thai government will introduce e-visas in a number 16 DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS

VINCKBOONS’ FINISHED OIL PAINTING TITLED THE “VIEW OF JUDEA, THE CAPITAL OF SIAM” IS NOW EXHIBITED AT THE RIJKSMUSEUM.

of EU countries with the launch in the Netherlands in November. This will ease visa application to Thailand. The Ambassador is confident that Thailand will remain one of the Netherlands’ favourite destinations.

Ambassador Chatri is profoundly impressed with the Dutch’s laborious attention to archiving historical records and preserving the classical arts. Just outside the gates of Ayutthaya (the old capital city) in the first Dutch settlement in Siam, a cartographer by the name of Johannes Vinckboons illustrated the view of the ancient city as part of his overseas journey with the VOC (Dutch East India Company). Vinckboons’ finished oil painting titled the “View of Judea, the Capital of Siam” is now exhibited at the Rijksmuseum. A reproduction of this painting is also proudly on display at his residence in Wassenaar.

Thailand and the Netherlands’s relations are

Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Kingdom of the Netherlands: H.E. Mr. Chatri Archjananun.

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founded on a strong bond between the two Royal Families. In commemoration of 400 years of Thai-Dutch relations in 2004, Queen Beatrix and King Willem-Alexander established the Baan Hollanda Information Centre on the exact location where the VOC once stood, which currently houses the artefacts of the first Dutch settlers in Thailand, as a royal gift to Thailand. Such a kind gesture reflects the importance that the Netherlands attaches to making history inclusive to the general public.

The Netherlands has long been a destination for Thai students in science degrees, and now we see a number of Thai students enrol in art and design courses. The Dutch ecosystem nurtures creativity. The late Mr. Chavalit Soemprungsuk, Thailand’s National Artist for Visual Art, lived in the Netherlands for over 50 years, and produced prolific artworks from paintings to sculptures to digital prints. His art techniques have been an invaluable source of art education for new generations of Thai artists.

Along with Thai cuisine, the Ambassador also highlighted the popularity of Muay Thai or Thai kickboxing amongst the Dutch, and that the Thai Government is pursuing every effort to include this traditional Thai martial art as an Olympic sport in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

View of Judea (Ayutthaya), ca 1662-1663 Vinckboons Johannes (1616/17-1670) Collection of Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam In 1608, the Dutch East India Company opened an office to conduct trade in dyewood, tin and animal skins in Judea (Ayutthaya), the capital of the Kingdom of Siam (now Thailand). From that post, the Dutch also successfully maintained contact with the Siamese royal court. Already in 1609, the king sent a delegation to the Dutch Republic to strengthen diplomatic relations. The company was ultimately granted permission to build its own shipyard in Judea.

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DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS 19

egypt

the splendours and glory of the Egyptian Civilization Egypt and the Netherlands share long-standing bilateral relations characterized by friendship and comprehensive cooperation in all aspects including the political, economic, and cultural. In addition to this, the constant coordination to enhance mutual understanding in regional and international issues of common concern.

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BY H.E. MR. HATEM ELSAYED MOHAMED KAMALELDIN, AMBASSADOR OF THE ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT

The Netherlands is the second European investor (3.8 billion dollars) and the sixth foreign investor in Egypt’s various fields.There are many opportunities for investment in Egypt as it has become the second largest economy in the African continent and the most attractive investment destination in Africa over the last four years. Moreover, bilateral trade increased and reached 1,9 billion dollars last year. Both countries are keen to strengthen cooperation in the fields of agricultural development, water management, and migration, in addition to logistics and maritime transport, energy and infrastructure. Several Dutch companies also have strong relations with the Suez Canal Authority, as they played an essential role in the work of digging the new Suez Canal, in addition to building dredgers recently delivered for the Suez Canal authority.

The Netherlands is one of the first European countries that participated in archaeological missions in Egypt, especially in the Saqqara region. Furthermore, the Department of 20 DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS

largest collections of Egyptian antiquities in the West.

RECENTLY, EGYPT BUILT MANY MUSEUMS INCLUDING THE “THE CIVILIZATION MUSEUM” IN CAIRO AND THE “GRAND MUSEUM” IN GIZA.

Egyptology at Leiden University is considered one of the most important departments of Egyptology in Europe. The Rijksmuseum van Oudheden in Leiden also contains one of the

Egypt is considered as one of the favourite destinations for Dutch tourists who are looking to explore the splendours and glory of the Egyptian Civilization and also to enjoy the long sandy coasts and underwater treasures.

Recently, Egypt built many museums including the “The Civilization Museum” in Cairo and the “Grand Museum” in Giza. The latter will have its grand opening in a few months’ time.

In our view, the societal dimension is considered one of the most important aspects of the historical relations that bind the two countries. Many Egyptians are present in the Netherlands nowadays - integrated into Dutch society, they represent a bridge between both countries. The continuous influx of Egyptian students admitted to several Dutch universities and higher education institutions every year, deepen the bilateral relations in a more direct way.

The Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt, H.E. Mr. Hatem Elsayed Mohamed Kamaleldin and Mrs. Mrs. Rania Sayed.

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rwanda

transitioning from aid to trade My name is Olivier J.P. Nduhungirehe and I am Ambassador of Rwanda to the Netherlands since November 2020, also covering Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, as well as the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, the International Court of Justice, the Permanent Court of Arbitration and the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals.

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BY H.E. OLIVIER J.P. NDUHUNGIREHE, AMBASSADOR OF RWANDA

The Embassy of Rwanda opened in 2006, while that of the Netherlands in Kigali opened in 1995, which is a demonstration of excellent relations and cooperation between the two countries.

In the aftermath of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, the Netherlands was among the first countries to respond to the crisis through programmes of emergency assistance. Afterwards, the Dutch cooperation mainly focused on the sector of justice, reconciliation, law and order, but other sectors, such as food security, water management resources benefited also from that cooperation.

The support of the Netherlands to the justice sector in Rwanda is the most emblematic of our cooperation, as this sector was in shambles after the genocide. Not only did The Hague support Rwanda in rebuilding and equipping courtrooms, training judges, prosecutors and other professionals of justice, but it also ensured accountability for many genocide fugitives who had fled to the Netherlands.

After several years of successful cooperation, Rwanda and the Netherlands are transitioning from aid to trade. Over the past years, trade, investment and tourism have been increasing between the two countries. As Rwanda has one of the best business climates in the world, 22 DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS

“Intore”, as well as “Imigongo”, which is a malleable mixture of cow dung and ash that is sculpted onto a flat surface in elaborate geometric patterns, are the best known of our art industry (see pictures below).

As the cooperation between the Netherlands and Rwanda is opening a new chapter, I am looking forward to strengthening the good relations that exist between our two countries, with a focus to promoting business between private sectors and finding new opportunities for trade and investment.

ART AND CRAFT ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF RWANDA’S CULTURE AND TOURISM.

Dutch companies invested in Rwanda, including big companies such as Heineken, Rabobank, Royal DSM and Unilever. Moreover, trade in the horticultural sector is also thriving between the two countries, all of this facilitated by direct KLM flights to Kigali, four times a week.

Art and craft are an important part of Rwanda’s culture and tourism. Traditional baskets “Uduseke”, paintings of our hilly landscape, wooden statues of our traditional dancers

The Ambassador of the Republic of Rwanda to The Kingdom of The Netherlands, H.E. Mr. Oliver Jean Patrick Nduhungirehe and Mrs. Virginie Ingabi.

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the philippines

PHILIPPINESNETHERLANDS CONNECTIONs at 70 The year 2021 is an auspicious time to commence a diplomatic assignment in The Hague as it marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of Philippine-Netherlands diplomatic relations. Notwithstanding the pandemic, the two sides conducted a bilateral consultation meeting in June, which resulted in a joint work program for the coming months and years, with emphasis on cooperation in trade and investments, water management, maritime matters, agriculture, and science and technology.

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BY H.E. J. EDUARDO MALAYA, PHILIPPINE AMBASSADOR TO THE NETHERLANDS

The commemorative activities culminated in a webinar organized by the Philippine Embassy titled “Philippines-Netherlands Connections @70: Reconstructing History and Forging Ahead” on November 9-10. It featured senior government officials, business leaders, historians, and other distinguished personalities with the aim of assessing the relations and contributing to a roadmap to strengthen and scale up cooperation.The book “Crossroads,” a compendium of the bilateral agreements signed from 1946 up to the present, was also launched during the webinar.

Being the acknowledged “legal capital of the world,” The Hague has always had a fascination for me. As a lawyer-diplomat and former head of my foreign ministry’s treaties and legal affairs office, I had visited a number of times for conferences and meetings. With this assignment, I also feel like coming full circle as I had advocated for, and worked in 2010, on the Philippine accessions to the Convention on the Pacific Settlement of International Disputes, which governs the 24 DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS

international law. The Philippines has been actively engaged with these organizations, as well as with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, the Common Fund for Commodities, and other Haguebased international organizations.

CRISTINA AND I ARE ALSO LOOKING FORWARD TO THE COMPLETION MID-2022 OF THE RENOVATION OF THE EMBASSY CHANCERY AT LAAN COPES VAN CATTENBURG Permanent Court of Arbitration, and the Statute of the Hague Conference on Private International Law, which spearheads efforts towards the harmonization of rules in private

Significant best practices, soft norms, multilateral conventions, and jurisprudence are continually being shaped and developed here, and these have a significantly beneficial impact on the Philippines and the rest of the world. It is thus crucial to have a seat at the conference table and be actively involved.

Cristina and I are also looking forward to the completion mid-2022 of the renovation of the embassy chancery at Laan Copes van Cattenburg. Once done and post-pandemic, art exhibits, trade expositions and musical performances are planned. Filipinos are known for our warm hospitality and love of music.

There is perhaps no better way to deepen friendships and spread goodwill than through personal engagements and music.

The Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, H.E. J. Eduardo Malaya and Dr. Rena Cristina K. Malaya DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS 25

cameroon

a solid and promising cooperation The Republic of Cameroon and the Kingdom of the Netherlands have historical relations which have been concretised at diplomatic level with the appointment of Ambassadors, since 1960.

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It is in keeping with this long tradition that the Head of State of Cameroon, H.E. Paul Biya signed a Decree on 11 September 2020 appointing me as Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of my country to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Through this act of sovereignty accepted by the highest Dutch Authorities, I had the distinct honour to present credentials to His Royal Highness Willem-Alexander Claus George Ferdinand on 09 December 2020.

Delighted and honoured to serve my country through cooperation with the Kingdom of the Netherlands, this beautiful country, home to a dynamic and very hospitable population, I intend to take full advantage of the multiple opportunities and assets of our respective countries, to infuse new and positive energy into our bilateral relations, in accordance with the vision of both respective leaders.

In this context, I would like to highlight the need to strengthen cooperation between Cameroon and the Netherlands in the socioeconomic, political, and cultural fields.

This mission rightly ties in with Cameroon’s 2020-2030 development strategy (SND30), which drives the promotion of investments with specific focus on the North-West and Southwest Regions to enhance the value of 26 DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS

BY H.E. MS. MADELEINE LIGUEMOH ONDOUA

THE ORGANISATION IN CAMEROON IN FEBRUARY 2022 OF AN ECONOMIC MISSION OF ABOUT THIRTY DUTCH COMPANIES COULD SET THE SCENE FOR THIS NEW TAKE-OFF. our raw materials, but also of other sectors (tourism, environment, energy, infrastructure, etc.).

In this light, public and private partnerships, through direct foreign investment, joint ventures, or high-value collaborations, are necessary.

Cameroon, a bilingual country with English and French as official languages, has a

population of over 25 million, 65% of which are young. This pivotal state in Central Africa, also known as Africa in miniature, for the richness of its soil and subsoil, offers enormous opportunities in various sectors. With regard to these characteristics, the Embassy will work in conjunction with the Dutch counterpart to negotiate the Agreement on the Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments.The organisation in Cameroon in February 2022 of an economic mission of about thirty Dutch companies could set the scene for this new take-off. In the same vein, it is important to ensure the development of decentralised cooperation, the acceleration of scientific and technical cooperation and the promotion of Win-Win strategies with the diaspora.

We are already rejoicing at the convergence observed between Cameroon’s priority sectors and the key areas for the Netherlands, namely horticulture, digital technology, the port industry, the environment, etc. Additionally, we intend to work tirelessly to reposition Cameroon as a priority country for the Netherlands, which is the 3rd economic partner of our country. This is a major achievement that deserves to be preserved through a strong and strategic friendship between our two countries.

The Ambassador of the Republic of Cameroon to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, H.E. Ms. Madeleine Liguemoh Ondoua.

DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS 27

morocco

“It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship”

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Relations between Morocco and the Netherlands started in the beginning of the XV century.

In 1605, the Netherlands sent its first envoy to Morocco. In 1609, negotiations began on a treaty that was signed in 1610. It was an agreement on peace, friendship, and trade. The first Moroccan ambassador came to the Netherlands in 1613. “It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship”, to paraphrase Humphrey Bogart in the movie “Casablanca”.

As a mark of strong solidarity, in May 1940, Moroccans soldiers came to the Netherlands to defend the Dutch people during the second World War.They came from far away to defend the Netherlands as well as other European countries, against Nazim and Fascism and to defend freedom, democracy and human dignity.

Every year in May the municipality of Kapelle, Zealand Province, pays tribute to the souls of the Moroccan fighters, some of them buried in the French cemetery in that city.

It has always been a ceremony full of lessons that illustrate our shared history in which we reiterate our unwavering commitment and determination to fight hatred, xenophobia, racism, discrimination, islamophobia, and antisemitism.

Throughout history, cordial relations have existed between the two countries. Dialogue, understanding and positive interaction have been the main characteristics between the 28 DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS

BY H.E. A. BELLOUKI, AMBASSADOR OF MOROCCO

THE NETHERLANDS CONSIDERS STRENGTHENING BILATERAL RELATIONS WITH MOROCCO AS ONE OF ITS PRIORITIES WITH THE ARAB WORLD two-friendly people. The two sides have been always guided by common endeavours and positive aspirations to enhance the relationships into a win-win partnership based on trust, common interests and friendship.

Within the framework of the Netherlands’ strategy to enhance business relations with specific African countries, including Morocco,

a virtual seminar on business opportunities in Morocco was held in October 2020. In November 2020, a virtual meeting was organized with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs on economic opportunities in Morocco to strengthen partnership in the fields of trade and investment.

In December 2020, a virtual Economic Day on Africa was organized.Within its framework, two seminars were held on the role of water in development in Morocco and hydrogen energy, highlighting investment opportunities and the importance of trilateral cooperation between the Netherlands, Morocco, and Africa in these areas.

The Netherlands considers Morocco an important economic partner due to the vitality in different fields, and that the Netherlands wishes to strengthen partnership in the areas of water, renewable energies, logistics, food industry and green hydrogen production from renewable energies in our country, within the framework of Morocco’s strategy related to addressing the effects of climate change.

The Netherlands also considers strengthening bilateral relations with Morocco as one of its priorities with the Arab world, given Morocco’s stability, promising opportunities, and important regional leadership.

The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, H.E. Mr. Abdelouahab Bellouki and Mrs. Najat Bellouki.

DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS 29

australia

Shared identity across different cultures and history As we celebrate the theme of art for this edition of Diplomat Affairs magazine in the run up to the PAN exhibition, I am delighted to be able to share with you some wonderful Indigenous art that brightens up the rooms of the Australian Ambassador’s Residence – a building that itself is steeped in Dutch history and has two hundred year old European tapestries depicting beautiful country scenes.

BY Y H.E. MR MATTHEW NEUHAUS

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Australia is home to the world’s oldest continuing culture.Australia’s Indigenous peoples have lived on and managed the land for more than 60,000 years . After early years of conflict, successive Australian Governments have joined with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to work towards reconciliation and social justice. In 2008, the Australian Parliament passed a motion of Apology to Indigenous Australians for past mistreatment and injustices.

In July each year, NAIDOC Week celebrations mark the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples which is now so integral to Australia’s sense of itself.

30 DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS

TO SHOWCASE THE HUGE DIVERSITY OF INDIGENOUS ART, THE EMBASSY ORGANIZED AN EXHIBITION IN 2019 THAT FOCUSED ON THE THEME OF GENDER JUSTICE AND WOMEN’S LAW To showcase the huge diversity of Indigenous art, the embassy organized an exhibition in 2019 that focused on the theme of gender

justice and women’s law and displayed artworks from the wonderful collection of the Volkenkunde Museum in Leiden. I am glad to say that some of the pieces exhibited have remained at the Residence with permission.

A personal favourite is Tjinjtilu Soak by Lucy Yukenbarri Napanangka, depicting Marpa, a central rockhole in the Kimberley region in northwest Australia. Lucy is one of the senior Law women for the Tjukurrpa (Dreamtime) Law and a key source for the stories associated with this place, which is important women’s country where ceremonies are performed. In the painting we see sandhills, stunted trees, and belts of dry ground and a large soakwater.

The Ambassador of Australia, H.E. Mr. Matthew Neuhaus and Mrs. Angela Neuhaus.

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Katarra Nampitjinpa (Pintupi, c.1940-1998) Secret Women’s Business at Ulkapi, 1996

While having its distinct own style, the type of painting blends in nicely with the interior décor of the Residence sitting room.

An equally striking painting welcoming guests that enter the main hall of the Residence is titled “Secret Women’s Business at Ulkapi” by Katarra Nampitjinpa.

Nampitjinpa’s family members are active “dancing women” who travel widely to participate in annual ceremonies and women’s law meetings. Her tjukurrpa (place or object that infers knowledge to someone or something) is the porcupine. Her story is told 32 DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS

AUSTRALIA’S SENSE OF IDENTITY AND INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMACY IS INCREASINGLY SHAPED

BY INDIGENOUS CULTURES in bright colours often utilizing orange, red and yellow to mirror the ochres that are used

in ceremonial body painting. In her tjukurrpa story there is often the porcupine scurrying about rock holes and hiding in places looking for sustenance while nearby the women are themselves hunting, laying in wait for the porcupine.

Australia’s sense of identity and international diplomacy is increasingly shaped by Indigenous cultures and we hope that others too will be inspired by these artworks which represent that sense of shared identity across different cultures and history.

Lucy Yukenbarri Napanangka (Kukatja/Wangkajunga, c. 1934-2003) Tjinjtilu Soak, 1997 DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS 33

uruguay

Deepening bi-lateral relations and mutual cooperation The covid-19 pandemic definitely changed our agendas during the last year and a half, having to revert to virtual or hybrid meetings, and to postpone a great deal of events, among which, on the cultural side, the visit of the national tall ship “Capitán Miranda” to Amsterdam, which could fortunately visit Curacao in 2019 on the occasion of “Dia di Bandera”.

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Similarly, on the occasion of Uruguay national day, we limited ourselves to sharing country information on some economic, social, and cultural issues. We therefore hope to be able to engage again with the Dutch public in 2022, for example, through a wine tasting, organized with INAVI, during the “Tannat” week in April, or the participation of “Galería Sur” (Punta del Este) at the TEFAF in Maastricht, as every March, presenting some valuable pieces of art of our most renowned artists, with painters like Joaquín Torres García and his disciples of the Constructivism school, or contemporary marble sculptor Pablo Atchugarry.

In 2020 we, nevertheless, had the opportunity to give a lecture in French, organized by “L’Amitié Club de La Haye” on freedom of expression and women’s rights, bringing anecdotes of the Uruguayan female pioneers in the Inter-American system, the League of Nations and then the United Nations when drafting the U.N. Charter, and this November with the “Asociación Hispánica de La Haya” we will be honouring Mario Benedetti, poet and novelist of the XXth century, born in 1920, through a lecture by Uruguayan born, Prof. Gabriel Inzaurralde, Professor of Latin-American Studies at Leiden University.

On the economic and trade relationship with the Netherlands, I would like to highlight the different meetings organized by the Embassy of Uruguay in the second semester of 2020 with Members of the Dutch Parliament from political parties which conform the government coalition, 34 DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS

BY H.E. MRS LAURA DUPUY, AMBASSADOR OF URUGUAY

URUGUAY AND THE NETHERLANDS SHARE MANY VALUES, INCLUDING THE SUPPORT TO THE MULTILATERAL SYSTEM, THE PROMOTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS AND THE RULE OF LAW AND RESPECT OF INTERNATIONAL LAW. on the benefits or opportunities of approving the MERCOSUR-European Union Association Agreement (after more than 20 years of negotiations between the 4 Member States and the European Commission).

Our Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mining (MIEM) together with Port of Rotterdam prepared last year a pre-feasibility study on the opportunities to produce, and in the future export, green hydrogen (H2), based on the complemen-

tarity of our wind and solar resources, integrating the global supply chain, which would require doubling (or more) the current national renewable power production by 2050. In April, the H2U transport pilot project was launched in Uruguay.

At the end of October our port authorities will participate in a meeting in Rotterdam and Amsterdam to prepare for this new clean energy transition, and on the 9th and 10th of November we will receive the official visit of H.E. Minister Paganini (MIEM) with an important delegation, to exchange views with his Dutch counterpart, the Minister of Economic affairs and climate policy, as well as to interact with Dutch companies in this field; hoping to deepen the bilateral relationship and mutual cooperation on a common and global challenge.

Uruguay and the Netherlands share many values, including the support to the multilateral system, the promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms and the rule of law and respect of International Law. In that sense it is worth mentioning that both countries are part of the Equal Rights Coalition (established in Montevideo in July 2016, in a jointly organized world conference on human rights of LGBTI persons), the Elsie Initiative (on improving women participation in U.N. peace operations, and in general in peace and security related activities), the Media Freedom Coalition and of the international Transport Decarbonization Alliance (TDA), upon the invitation by the government of the Netherlands when it was chairing it.

The Ambassador of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, H.E. Ms. Laura Dupuy.

DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS 35

panama

a committed concern towards climate change The Republic of Panama and the Kingdom of the Netherlands share a mutually beneficial long-standing diplomatic relationship. The countries are obvious partners considering the highly developed logistics platforms permitting each country to develop as an enviable air, land, and maritime hub in their respective region.

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BY H.E. MS. ELIZABETH WARD NEIMAN, AMBASSADOR OF THE REPUBLIC OF PANAMA

Amongst other related interests, both countries share a committed concern towards climate change and its devastating effects on our planet.

Panama recently signed a decree that protects the Coiba Ridge and triples the Cordillera de Coiba marine protected area. With this, Panama is nine years ahead of the 30% by 2030 goals (30 x 30) and becomes a Blue Leader as a country that protects 30% or more of its oceans.This a true sustainable achievement!

In addition to this, Panama is one of only three CO2 negative countries in the world and continues its efforts of protection and reforestation.

Although severely affected economically due to the COVID pandemic, by mid-October, Panama achieved a remarkable 75% vaccination rate and expects to reach 80% by November.

This contributes to our projected recovery, along with the newly created investment incentives as well as opening our tourism sector.

Regarding the tourism sector, we encourage you to experience the exuberant beauty of Panama first hand, immersing in the sensations of its diverse flora and fauna, history, culture, gastronomy, and people. In the meantime, our Embassy events offer a mere glimpse of our diverse culture and beauty.

In the context of this year’s Bicentennial 36 DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS

WE HAVE ACHIEVED COOPERATIVE EFFORTS IN MULTIPLE AREAS AND PERSEVERE IN EXPLORING NEW OPPORTUNITIES celebration of our independence from Spain on November 28th, 1821, we have hosted multiple cultural events. In a presentation conducted by folklorist Sergia Pinzon, we highlighted the pollera, our internationally recognized traditional costume; another event in collaboration with the Instituto Cervantes disclosed the new edition of ‘Diccionario del Español en Panama’ (Panama’s Spanish Dictionary) with our invited guest and author, Dra. MargaritaVásquez. We are also supporting an event focusing a talented Panamanian

Codarts’ dancer, José Garrido, and the hosting of ‘Sinfonía en la Mesa’ (Symphony at the Table). This last event is a culinary and musical delight as we bring a Panamanian chef from Amsterdam, Roberto Torres, to prepare the delicacies, and have counted on unconditional support from Henk van der Meulen, the director of the Koninklijk Conservatorium, for the musical component.

Panama is one of nine regional countries that co-hosts several other cultural events encompassed within the celebration of our Bicentennial Independence from Spain. These begin with a cycle of conferences with recognized historians, with the likes of Dr. Omar Jaén Suárez, Panama’s guest speaker; continue with the exhibition of our national symbols and culminate with a concert in the newly built Royal Conservatoire The Hague, delighting the audience with a selection of pieces representative of each country.

With support from our Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we have achieved cooperative efforts in multiple areas and persevere in exploring new opportunities. Through our bilateral relations, we continue to strengthen the bridge that joins Panama and The Netherlands as well as participating actively within the multilateral organizations.

The Ambassador of the Republic of Panama to The Kingdom of the Netherlands, H.E. Ms. Elizabeth Ward Neiman.

DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS 37

suriname

GETTING THE SURINAME-NETHERLANDS RELATIONSHIP BACK ON TRACK H.E. Rajendre Khargi, Ambassador of Suriname has a giant task at hand in reshaping the relationship between The Netherlands and its former colony Suriname.

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After more than ten years Suriname is again represented in The Netherlands at the highest diplomatic level. On 1 January 2021 H.E. Rajendre Khargi assumed his work in The Hague. He offered his credentials to H.M.The King on 10 February 2021. “It is of course an honour and a privilege to represent my country at a time were much is to be done to restore the relationship between our two countries”. Reestablishing the ties was immediately welcomed by Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, after the election of President Chandrikapersad Santokhi who took office in July 2020.

During the past ten months, the two countries 38 DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS

“IT IS OF COURSE AN HONOUR AND A PRIVILEGE TO REPRESENT MY COUNTRY AT A TIME WERE MUCH IS TO BE DONE TO RESTORE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OUR TWO COUNTRIES”

engaged in activities on a broad range of policy issues on Finance, Defense, Agriculture, Justice and Health Care. Most notably the support from The Netherlands in providing vaccines, medical equipment and medical staff to fight the Covid-19 pandemic in Suriname. Ministers from both countries exchanged visits and the ministers of Foreign Affairs of Suriname and the Netherlands met on a regular basis.

An invitation to president Santokhi by the Dutch Prime Minister was accepted and resulted in a working visit from 8-11 September 2021 to The Netherlands. It was broadly viewed as a very successful visit. The President met with H.M. The King and conducted productive meetings with the

The Ambassador of the Republic of Suriname, H.E. Mr. Rajendre Khargi en Mrs. Amrita Sietaram.

DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS 39

“I BELIEVE THE PRESIDENT’S VISIT CEMENTED A FRUITFUL FIRST NINE MONTHS IN WHICH WE WERE ABLE TO PUT SURINAME ON THE AGENDA”

Dutch Cabinet. He was presented the honorable opportunity to address members of The Dutch Parliament in the famous Ridderzaal. It was the first time a Head of State of Suriname was given this opportunity, which was highly appreciated. The visit also included visits to Rotterdam Port Authorities, the Royal Schiphol Group, Wageningen Research Centre and Shell. Various MoU’s were signed, for example with Amsterdam to explore support on Tourism, Water management and the Restoration of Paramaribo’s inner city.

“I believe the President’s visit cemented a fruitful first nine months in which we were able to put Suriname on the agenda and demonstrate our commitment to get Suriname back on track and show that we are a country that abides by the Rule of Law and is committed to its international obligations”, says Ambassador Khargi.

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Outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Surinamese President Chandrikapersad Santokhi during a working lunch and signing at the Ministry of General Affairs. It is the first time Santokhi visits the Netherlands as president.

DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS 41

belarus

ART BRIDGES THE NATIONS First, I want to cordially congratulate Diplomat Affairs magazine on this exciting and timely edition highlighting Art. The famous Russian writer Fedor Dostoevsky once wrote, “Beauty will save the world”.

I wholly agree with this view since art is the main beauty of humankind. It cherishes the inner beauty of a human being, our soul. Art bridges the nations and promotes understanding, humanism, and harmony around the globe, especially in today’s often turbulent and divided world.

BY H.E. MR. ANDREI YEUDACHENKA, AMBASSADOR OF BELARUS TO THE NETHERLANDS

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The Netherlands proudly boasts of its myriad of internationally renowned artists, especially from the Golden Age period, and is rightfully considered to be one of the world’s centres of art. Belarus also has much to be proud of in this field. Marc Chagall is one of the most famous natives of Belarus. A talented artist, a brilliant representative of the 20th century avant-garde, he conquered the world with his unique style and special outlook on life.

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MARC CHAGALL IS ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS NATIVES OF BELARUS. A TALENTED ARTIST, A BRILLIANT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE 20TH CENTURY

Among others, original works by M. Chagall decorate the world’s biggest theatres. In 1964, the artist painted the ceiling of the Paris Opera House. In 1966, he created the murals “The Triumph of Music” and “The Sources of Music” for the Metropolitan Opera in New York.

The younger generation of my compatriots also actively promote the Belarusian culture

The Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus H.E. Mr. Andrei Yeudachenka and Mrs. Sviatlana Astapenka.

DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS 43

Belarusian artist Aliaksandra Puhachova

and art, honouring own traditions and taking the best from the Dutch and the European schools. The prominent Belarusian artist Victoria Kovalenchikova who graduated from the Belarusian State Academy of Arts is currently working in Amsterdam (www. vkgallery.nl). Her artworks can be found in the 44 DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS

art collections of Philips company, RABO bank, Museum of Russian Art (Jersey City, the USA), Contemporary Fine Art Museum (Minsk, Belarus), National Art Museum of Belarus, collection of the municipality of Coevorden (the Netherlands), as well as in numerous private collections worldwide.

Another young bright and talented artist who has been living and creating in the Netherlands is Aliaksandra Puhachova (www.justalexart. com). Shortly after her graduation from The Hague Royal Academy of Art in 2019, her works were featured in a number of exhibitions such as The Best of Graduates at Gallery Ron

Belarusian artist Victoria Kovalenchikova

Mandos (Amsterdam) and Jong Talent at Project space Artphy (Onstwedde). In the autumn of 2020, she had her first international presentation at the National Palace of Arts in Minsk as part of the group exhibition Fall Art Salon. Since 2021, she has been collaborating with the WTC The Hague Art Gallery.

Recently, in the framework of the joint project, Belarusian and Dutch artists have exhibited a mix of paintings, sculptures and design works in the “BELL’ARTE” gallery of The Hague. It was a success. The Dutch artists, prominent sculptor Chris Tap and visual designer Arvid Henkes, expressed their

wish to continue cooperation and to exhibit in Minsk.The goal is to foster the BelarusianDutch ties, promote friendship and better understanding of each other. Art is a bridge connecting our nations and positively influencing the other fields of our multifarious relations.

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north macedonia

Preserving and advancing friendly relations It is a great honour to serve as Ambassador of North Macedonia to the Netherlands. But it also brings heavy responsibility, not because this is my first time being appointed as an Ambassador, but because my ambition is to preserve and further advance the friendly relations and cooperation that exist between our two countries.

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BY H. E. MRS. BETI JACHEVA, AMBASSADOR OF NORTH MACEDONIA

Since the establishment of the bilateral relations between North Macedonia and the Netherlands 28 years ago, the Netherlands has been also actively supporting our efforts to establish the country as a true European democracy. This was, and still is of crucial importance for fulfilling our strategic goals of becoming a NATO and EU member state.

Last year, we joined NATO as its 30th member state, and we are ready to start accession negotiations with the EU. In the accession process, we know that in the Netherlands we have a credible, strict, but fair partner, from whom we can learn a lot, and have it as a role model in our reform efforts regarding the rule of law, but also regarding other important areas of society, such as education, social care, environment, using the renewable sources of energy and many more. Regarding economic cooperation, the primary objective is to promote the development of economic cooperation and connections. This relates especially to the promotion of the investment possibilities of North Macedonia and to attracting investors, but also helping Macedonian companies that would like to export to the Netherlands or to expand their 46 DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS

I HAD THE PLEASURE RECENTLY TO ATTEND AN ART EXHIBITION BY MACEDONIAN ARTISTS LIVING IN THE NETHERLANDS, WHICH WAS REALLY A MOMENT TO BE PROUD OF OUR COUNTRY AND ITS PEOPLE. business here. My country’s legislation in the economic area is well aligned with the EU acquits, and the Stabilization and Association Agreement with the EU is enabling free trade between our two countries.

An important bridge that connects even closer our two countries is the Macedonian Diaspora in the Netherlands. I have reached out to meet them, and I am very glad to have met so many well-established Macedonians living here. For example, I had the pleasure recently to attend an art exhibition by Macedonian artists living in the Netherlands, which was really a moment to be proud of our country and its people.

For most of the Dutch people, North Macedonia might still be an undiscovered destination, but there is a decade’s long tradition for Dutch tourists to visit Ohrid and the pearly Ohrid Lake. Some say that this tradition started after a well-known Dutch author Den A. Doolard visited Ohrid in the thirties, where he got an inspiration to write his book De bruiloft der zeven zigeuners in 1939. The memory of him is still present in Ohrid.

I would wholeheartedly recommend North Macedonia as next tourist destination for Dutch tourists. Our country can accommodate many tastes and interests, whether it is hiking on high mountains, swimming in lakes, visiting archaeological sites, or just enjoying great tasty food and magnificent vines.

The Ambassador of North Macedonia to the Kingdom of The Netherlands, H.E. Mrs. Beti Jacheva and Mr. Kostadin Jachev.

DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS 47

Royal State Visit to Greece Athens eagerly awaits the state visit of the royal couple of the Netherlands on December 13-15, almost 25 years after the visit of Queen Beatrix, the last visit of a Dutch Head of State to Greece.

In this regard, we have many reasons to look forward to welcoming Their Majesties to our country.

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BY H.E. MR. NICOLAS P. PLEXIDAS, AMBASSADOR OF GREECE

To start with, the royal visit takes place during a landmark year in the modern history of Greece, celebrating in 2021 two hundred years since the beginning of the Greek Revolution (1821) against the Ottoman yoke, which led a few years later (1830) to the creation of an independent Greek state, the first such state in the Balkans and Eastern Mediterranean region.

On this occasion, Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima will be bearing a timeless message of friendship between the Dutch and Greek people, symbol also of the philhellenic movement developed in Dutch society and the intellectual circles of the 19th century, which greatly contributed to the fate of the then enslaved Greeks and their path to liberty and independence.

Beyond its symbolic nature, the royal visit will furthermore mark a new era in our already strong bilateral ties as longstanding partners in the EU and allies in NATO. It will contribute to further strengthening our economic relations at a time when a new and promising Greece is emerging from the painful economic crisis of the past decade. The stoicism, responsibility and self-sacrifice of the Greek people in handling this crisis helped to set the 48 DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS

THE ROYAL VISIT WILL FURTHERMORE MARK A NEW ERA IN OUR ALREADY STRONG BILATERAL TIES AS LONGSTANDING PARTNERS IN THE EU AND ALLIES IN NATO country back on a steady course of dynamic development, re-establishing its credibility and boosting trust in our bilateral economic cooperation.

A living link of this centuries old GreekDutch friendship is the thriving community of 35,000 Greeks residing in the Netherlands.

The number of Greeks here has actually doubled

in recent years in comparison to the first wave of Greek migrants that arrived in the Netherlands following WW II, which in its part contributed to Dutch economic prosperity.

We are particularly proud of this new, young generation of highly qualified Greeks which have arrived in this country, which progresses in many fields, especially in business, innovation, technology, research and science, thanks to the freedom of movement in our larger European family.

Last but not least, we are proud that the Dutch royal couple chose our country for its summer residence and thankful to over one million Dutch people, who visit Greece and its unique beauties every year.“Filoxenia”, a term deriving from Greek mythology means “hospitality” in Greek, and that is what we always try to extend to our visitors to reward them for choosing our country.The spirit of Xenios Zeus, God of hospitality, protector of foreigners and guests will accompany Their Majesties King WillemAlexander and Queen Máxima in their state visit to Greece, a land close to their hearts.

On behalf of the Embassy and the people of Greece, welcome to our country Your Majesties!

Ambassador of Greece to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, H.E. Mr. Nicolas P. Plexidas and Ms. Anna-Maria Panagiotakopoulou.

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First Pillar Ceremony for the OPCW Centre for Chemistry and Technology

Vision and leadership for a better world free of chemical weapons The Director General of the OPCW, H.E. Mr. Fernando Arias, hosted a “First Pillar” ceremony, launching the construction of the new OPCW Centre for Chemistry and Technology (ChemTech) in Pijnacker-Nootdorp, outside the Hague.

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This is not just a building, nor just a stone but as H.E. Mr. Arias said himself: “This is more than the symbolic placement of the first pillar.

It is the celebration of a common success of all of us, which means a success of the international community. We are aware that the world is evolving fast and there are more powerful weapons in the hands of more countries and non-state actors than ever before. We must adapt and continue to update our knowledge and equipment to this new situation. And we 50 DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS

“THIS BUILDING WILL BE A UNIQUE LEGACY OF THIS GENERATION OF DIPLOMATS IN THE HAGUE.”

are doing so.”This first stone was placed by the Director-General, the Deputy DirectorGeneral, H.E. Ms Odette Melono, Chairperson of construc-tion company Dura Vermeer, Mr Job Dura and the Managing Partner of Ector Hoogstad Architects, Mr Joost Ector. This symbolically initiated the construction of the new complex.

The ChemTech Centre will be located on a 6,400m2 plot within the Heron Business Park in Pijnacker-Nootdorp, outside The Hague.

The Director General of the OPCW, H.E. Mr. Fernando Arias.

The OPCW was able to finance the purchasing of the land, thanks to the generosity of The Netherlands, that provided a significant contribution, large enough to pay for it in full.

It was a long journey and process to get to this day, and Director-General Arias expressed his gratitude to all those who had made this possible, including the warm cooperation with the municipality of Nootdorp Pijnacker, notably Madame Mayor, Francisca Ravenstein.

To quote His Excellency: “The need of a tool like the Centre for Chemistry and Technology was evident since a long time ago. However, the financial and political support was not so evident. Consequently, all together we had to devote time and effort to reach the momentum that created optimism and motivation to progress in this idea. At a certain moment, the support of the Member States became clear and there were two occasions with particular significance: the day when we received the

first contribution, donated by the Republic of Korea and the gesture of a such an important country gave crucial and additional credibility to the project. In 2020 we were seriously concerned as we had not yet reached the budget and the COVID situation was presenting serious obstacles. One day Ambassador Luis Vassy of France informed me that France had decided to give an additional contribution to complete the construction budget.”

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“THE OPCW WORKS FOR DISARMAMENT, AND ASSISTANCE TO THE 193 MEMBER STATES, FOR A BETTER WORLD, FREE OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS, AND SAFE IN THE USE OF CHEMICALS.”

The agreement was signed in March 2021.

The Director General also expressed his gratitude for the support of Canada as largest state contributor, which has also carried out an outstanding task in favour of the CCT in the “The Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons of Mass Destruction”. And to the European Union as biggest contributor in absolute terms.’

There were 50 State contributors, and His Excellency stated “It is the support of all of you, your vision and your generosity that have made possible the development of this project 52 DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS

The mayor of Pijnacker-Nootdorp and numerous Ambassadors and other diplomats attended the ceremony, amongst them the Chairs of the Conference of States and the Executive Council of the Organisation.

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“THE CENTRE FOR CHEMISTRY AND TECHNOLOGY IS A COMMON SUCCESS OF ALL THE DIPLOMATS IN THE HAGUE AND, AS A CONSEQUENCE, OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.”

The Managing Partner of Ector Hoogstad Architects, Mr Joost Ector, the Director-General, H.E. Mr. Fernando Arias, the Deputy DirectorGeneral, H.E. Ms Odette Melono and the Chairperson of the construction company Dura Vermeer, Mr Job Dura.

possible, and you all deserve the recognition and gratitude.”

Director General Arias concluded: “You can rest assured, that the time I will remain in the Secretariat, I will work with my team with motivation, conviction, principles, responsibility and humility, to deliver as you expect and deserve, paying tribute with our work to the trust you have deposited on us.”

Indeed, ‘This building will be a unique legacy of this generation of diplomats in The Hague.’

It is hoped that the building will be finished by the end of 2022 and will be operational a few weeks later.

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Pope Francis meets with H.E. Mgr. Aldo Cavalli, Apostolic Nuncio in the Netherlands Photo: ANP IPA/ABACA 56 DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS

Highlight on the Holy See The Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Mgr. Aldo Cavalli, who represents the Holy See to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, presented his credentials to His Majesty King Willem-Alexander in May 2015. The Nuncio serves as the connecting link between the Pope and the Catholic Church in the Netherlands, and between the Holy See and the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Diplomat Affairs Magazine was delighted with this unique opportunity to interview His Excellency the Nuncio.

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Excellency, after being posted as the representative of the Holy See in Malta and Libya, you became the representative here in the Netherlands.

What would you say is the key ingredient for a successful mission?

In the course of my life in service of Diplomacy for the Holy See, I have had the opportunity, like all Diplomats, to live in different countries.

There is a key word to understand the characteristic attitude for every change of mission: culture. In order to be able to carry out a mission in a new country in an efficient and fruitful way, it is mandatory to learn the beliefs, law, morals, art, that is to say the culture of the people who live in that country. It is necessary to learn and understand that, in order to be able to dialogue, we need to use the same “language’, enabling reception and transmission of constructive thoughts and initiatives.

This is what I endeavoured to put into practice when I was sent from the mission in Malta and Libya to the Netherlands.

For us outsiders, the world of the Holy See is not always clear. Could you possibly explain the difference between the Holy See and the Vatican?

The term “Holy See” is very old. I believe that it is only possible to understand it if one understands the foundation of the context of the reality of the Christian community, the “Church”, in which the Holy See is located.

The foundation of the Church is Faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who came among us about 2000 years ago, who founded a community, the Church, giving it the mission of transmitting this Faith to the whole world.

This community (the Church) spread throughout the then known world, and reached Rome, the capital of the Roman Empire, where the principal person in charge of the Church (the Bishop), whose name was Peter, established his “See” (seat). His successors as Bishops of Rome, were given the title of Pope (Father) and the 58 DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS

“A KEY WORD TO UNDERSTAND THE CHARACTERISTIC ATTITUDE FOR EVERY CHANGE OF MISSION: CULTURE.”

“See” from which they taught and directed the community, became a point of reference for the whole Church around the world, calling itself the “Holy See”, which represents the Pope and those who assist him in carrying out his ministry (the “Curia”).

As it advanced through history, this “Community of Faith”, has gone through various vicissitudes, but has always retained its original initial foundation: • In the fifth century, after the fall of the Roman Empire, the Pope had to assume both

the task of organizing the Roman people, left without means to live, and the function of dialogue with the peoples of the North, who had conquered the Roman Empire.

• In the eighth century, the function of the Pope in all central Italy became so important that, in the context of the political and cultural arrangements of that time, it became a State, the “Papal States”. This situation lasted for a thousand years, until 1870, when the Kingdom of Italy was established. The Pope no longer possessed anything, but, for historical reasons, he continued to send and receive Ambassadors and to sign International Treaties in the name “Holy See”, considered a “Subject of International Law” on a par with a State.

• Again, for historical reasons, in 1929 the Holy See and the Kingdom of Italy signed a Treaty which established the “Vatican City State”, which was to guarantee the Pope’s freedom to carry out his mission, remaining distinct from the Holy See. In the midst of all these historical events, the initial “Community of Faith” continues its journey through history with also the “Holy See” as a “Subject of International Law”, which sends out Ambassadors (the Apostolic Nuncios) and receives Ambassadors, is an active part of the United Nations Organization and of many other international Organizations, with the aim of collaborating for the peace and well-being of all the peoples of our world.

At the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy’s diplomat training, you specialized in theology and canon law, before graduating in political sciences. Are these studies a requirement for a diplomatic career?

The “Diplomatic Corps of the Holy See” is educated in the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, an extraterritorial palace, which has had its headquarters in Rome for the past three centuries. Priests, sent by Dioceses from all over the world, who have already completed

His Excellency Monseigneur Aldo Cavalli presenting his credentials to His Majesty King Willem-Alexander (2015).

their higher studies in Theology, are welcomed there. During their stay in Rome, they attend the Faculty of Canon Law in one of the Pontifical Universities. Before starting the Diplomatic mission, all candidates must obtain a Doctorate.

The number of baptized Catholics in the world was about 1.329 billion at the end of 2018, how large is the Dutch catholic community?

The Catholic community in the Netherlands comprises 20,1% (figures CBS 2019) of the population (about 3,5 million).

“WE HAVE CONTINUED TO CELEBRATE HOLY MASS EVERY DAY IN THE CHAPEL OF THE NUNCIATURE.”

Before Covid-19 disrupted all our lives, you held a mass every morning at the Chapel of your Residence. How is the situation now?

We have continued to celebrate Holy Mass every day in the Chapel of the Nunciature.

During the period of Covid-19, we had to limit the number of people attending, in accordance with the indications given by the Dutch authorities.

Thank you Your Excellency, for having taken the time to answer our questions, and shed a light on these topics, sharing the History and mission of the Holy See. DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS 59

royal Conservatoire the Hague joins forces with top cultural partners

AMARE

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima attended the official handover of the new cultural centre Amare to the Royal Conservatoire (KC), Residentie Orkest (RO), Netherlands Dans Theater (NDT), the Dance and Music Centre DMC and the Amare Foundation on September 2nd, 2021. This spectacular building is the new state of the art landmark for performing arts in The Hague.

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The King and Queen attended several rehearsals and got a behind the scenes tour of the 1600 seats ‘Danstheater’. Afterwards they joined the festive program in the Concertzaal.

Here the Residentie Orkest (conducted by chief conductor Anja Bihlmaier) played new work composed by students of the Royal Conservatoire.This work was accompanied by 60 DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS

“AMARE PROMISES TO BE A POWERHOUSE THAT WILL HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE OF THE PERFORMING ARTS, RIGHT HERE IN THE HAGUE”

PHOTO ROBIN UTRECHT/ANP

The new House for the Arts in The Hague

King’s Commissioner Mr. Jaap Smit, King Willem -Alexander, Queen Máxima and the Mayor of The Hague Mr. Jan van Zanen.

a majestic time-lapse video of the construction of Amare.

The four Directors of the above-named institutions joined forces, to shape the vision and practicalities of this unique and ambitious project and to make this building an artistic w Mr. Henk van der Meulen, Director of the

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Royal Conservatoire The Hague says, ” Teaming up also benefits our educational program, which is a big plus, bearing in mind that the program largely determines the attractiveness.

Of course, each of the institutes will have their own domain, but will also be able to use each other’s space. This will lead to not just space

being shared, but also and more importantly, ideas, and the practice that these ideas will generate. Just as there will be room for others, be it professionals or amateurs, to perform in Amare. The overall programming will range from local productions to the work of the NDT, the RO, and the KC, all the way to international top productions in all genres and

the cross fertilization between them all. Amare promises to be a powerhouse that will help shape the future of the performing arts, right here in The Hague.”

The Royal Conservatoire is the biggest partner to reside in Amare, as almost 1000 HBO students and 265 School for Young Talent DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS 61

THIS SPECTACULAR BUILDING IS THE NEW STATE OF THE ART LANDMARK FOR PERFORMING ARTS IN THE HAGUE pupils, 60 different nationalities, find themselves in an inspiring learning environment where international top musicians and (former) top dancers teach.

A unique community where experiment and 62 DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS

innovation go hand in hand with tradition and craft. Once graduated, they not only master the technical skills, but have also developed an inquisitive attitude and a lifelong curiosity, befitting a musician or dancer at the highest level.

The Director of The Royal Conservatoire The Hague, Mr. Henk van der Meulen.

The inside of the building is not yet finished as we go to press but over 5000 visitors were able to take a look at the Open House on September 4th and 5th and excitement is rising!

Incidentally, the centre will also be available

THE ROYAL CONSERVATOIRE IS THE BIGGEST PARTNER TO RESIDE IN AMARE, AS ALMOST 1000 HBO STUDENTS AND 265 SCHOOL FOR YOUNG TALENT PUPILS, 60 DIFFERENT NATIONALITIES, FIND THEMSELVES IN AN INSPIRING LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

for events and congresses.

Indeed, an amazing inter-cultural project, a house for the arts, events, education and cultural encounters, and an additional gem in the crown of The Hague.

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Celebrating the 91st Anniversary of the Unification of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Guests gathered, on September 22nd, at the invitation of His Excellency Ziad M.D. Al Atiyah, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, to celebrate the national Day of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at Diplomat Club Wassenaar/Kasteel de Wittenburg.

JULIE KENNEDY/PHOTOS MR. OMAR ALSORORY

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His Excellency started his speech, after a warm welcome, by congratulating the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and the Saudi people.

And by sharing a Koranic verse stating: “O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.”

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Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, H.E. Mr.Ziad Al Atiyah.

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Ambassador, H.E. Mr. Ziad Al Atiyah and Mrs.Amal Al Masser welcoming H.E. Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt , H.E. Mr. Hatem Elsayed Kamaleldin and his Spouse, Mrs.Rania Al Sayed.

Ambassador of Lebanon, H.E. Mr. Abdel Sattar Issa and Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus, H.E. Mrs. Frances Galatia Lanitou Williams.

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Ambassador of the Republic of Yemen, H.E. Mrs. Sahar Ghanem , Ambassador of Tunisia, H.E. Mr.Ilyess Ghariani and Ambassador of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, H.E. Mr.Lounès Magranane.

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Mr. Dirk Heerema and Mr. Luca Maresi.

The Ambassador shared that for him, this verse summarised, “the essence of our noble profession of building bridges that facilitate the flow of culture, science, trade and are paved by mutual respect, understanding and dialogue”.

these developing relations is that the Netherlands has become one of the top 10 trade partners with my country in the first half of this year.”

His Excellency is delighted to be in the Netherlands, a country he has a special attachment to as he says: “I had the honour to serve in the Netherlands as a diplomat for seven years, these years were the best and the happiest years of my life. Such a description is a mere reflection of the distinguished old bilateral relations that bind my country with the Kingdom of the Netherlands since the middle of the 19th century. Since then, trade relations between the two countries have developed and Saudi-Dutch partnerships have expanded that combine Dutch technology and innovation with great opportunities in the diversified Saudi economy. A testimony of

THE FIRST FIVE YEARS OF THE MISSION “VISION 2030” TARGETING THE THEMES OF VIBRANT SOCIETY, PROSPEROUS ECONOMY AND AMBITIOUS NATION.

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His Excellency specified that this anniversary coincides with the first five years of the mission “vision 2030” targeting the themes of:

Vibrant Society, Prosperous Economy and Ambitious Nation.

Special guest at this event was young Saudi filmmaker Mr. Mansour Albadran, whose films have won several awards from various film festivals in the Arab world. Guests were then treated to a special screening of his film 89 Sun following the tracks, from start to the finish line, of a group of Saudi engineers and the solar car they built to participate in Australia’s World Solar Race.

Guests delighted in the culinary treats and basked in the wonderful hospitality of Ambassador Ziad M.D. Al Atiyah, a pleasure further enhanced by the fact that this was the first National Day celebrated at Diplomat Club Wassenaar/Kasteel De Wittenburg since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. It felt more special than ever before.

Ambassador Ziad Al Atiyah and Mrs. Amal Al Masser welcoming H.E. Ambassador of Japan, Mr. Hidehisa Horinouchi and Spouse Mrs. Sabine Horinouchi.

Ms. Malath Al Atiyah.

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PHOTO JAY PANGALINAN

H.E. Dr. Hissa Abdullah Alotaiba, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the Kingdom of the Neterlands

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The United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of the Netherlands celebrated 50 years of bilateral relations I am Dr. Hissa Abdullah Alotaiba, UAE Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Permanent Representative of the UAE to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemicals Weapons. I am honored to be the first female ambassador of the United Arab Emirates as well as the first woman to hold the position of ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

BY H.E. DR. HISSA ABDULLAH ALOTAIBA, AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

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The Kingdom of the Netherlands is famous for its pristine nature and the serious efforts it places on sustainable development and environmental preservation, a common goal shared by the UAE. This emphasis on sustainability is clearly demonstrated by the biotope design of the Netherlands Pavilion at Expo 2020 and their

well-deserved win for the award of Sustainable Construction Project of the year.

This year, the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of the Netherlands celebrated 50 years of bilateral relations and we look forward to continually growing and strengthening these ties especially in the economic, cultural and environmental fields underpinned by

continued innovation and cooperation.

Natural resources are getting scarce around the globe, the effects of climate change become more discernible and the global population is on the rise, these factors combined affect the links between the water, energy and agricultural sector.

Consequently, the Netherlands has decided to DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS 71

THE EMPHASIS ON SUSTAINABILITY IS CLEARLY DEMONSTRATED BY THE BIOTOPE DESIGN OF THE NETHERLANDS PAVILION AT EXPO 2020 AND THEIR WELL-DESERVED WIN FOR THE AWARD OF SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT OF THE YEAR. set the focus on the energy-water-food nexus.

Agricultural production will have to increase considerably in order to reach the selfsufficiency levels, energy has to be more sustainable and greener and water scarcity has to be rapidly addressed. Both the UAE and the Netherlands possess considerable expertise in the field. The Netherlands succeeded in becoming self-sufficient in food production with its very early investment in technology years ago.

When it comes to water, as big parts of the Netherlands are below sea level, the Dutch have acquired a specific know-how when dealing with water issues to reach a very satisfying level of water quantity and especially quality as tap water in Holland is known to be amongst the purest in Europe.

As far as energy is concerned, the focus is currently to produce as much greener, more sustainable energy as possible in order to minimise pollution. In order to secure a more health-conscious, durable environment and to positively impact the future for its younger generations, the UAE is actively promoting sustainability and accordingly has an increasing demand for the durable solutions that the Netherlands has to offer to these three particular challenges and therefore, the cooperation between the two countries in this field is placed very highly.

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Energy In 2017, the UAE has launched its Energy Strategy 2050, which is the first unified energy plan in the country that balances the production and consumption sides and global environmental obligations. It also ensures a comfortable economic environment for growth in all sectors.

The energy strategy targets a mix of clean renewable, nuclear and fossil energy to ensure a balance between economic needs and environmental goals; the energy mix according to the strategy includes clean coal, gas, nuclear energy, solar energy, wind energy and biofuels as follows: 44% of clean energy 38% of gas 12% clean coal 6% of nuclear energy

THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES WAS A FORERUNNER IN DEVELOPING A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO ACHIEVE FOOD SECURITY AND SUFFICIENCY, AND IT QUICKLY APPOINTED THE FIRST FEMALE FOOD SECURITY MINISTER IN THE WORLD.

from a water shortage, so it relies heavily on seawater desalination to provide potable water.

The country has also built several dams to conserve water wealth. It has also developed a water security strategy to ensure the sustainability and continuity of access to water during normal and extreme emergency conditions.

Water Because of its desert climate, the UAE suffers

THE UAE IS ACTIVELY PROMOTING SUSTAINABILITY AND ACCORDINGLY HAS AN INCREASING DEMAND FOR THE DURABLE SOLUTIONS THAT THE NETHERLANDS HAS TO OFFER.

Food The issue of food security is crucial, and we are recently witnessing the international race to achieve self-sufficiency, especially after the Corona pandemic and the international closures it witnessed. The United Arab Emirates was a forerunner in developing a comprehensive plan to achieve food security and sufficiency, and it quickly appointed the first female food security minister in the world.

The country’s future food security file aims to conduct more research, develop plans and apply modern technologies in this field. The Kingdom of the Netherlands has great practical experience in this sector, as it occupies an advanced position globally in the agricultural sector, equipment and modern agricultural technology, in addition to its national commitment to sustainable agriculture since 2000.

PHOTO V8 ARCHITECTS

The Dutch Pavillion at Expo 2020 Dubai received the award of sustainable construction project of the year.

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Exciting developments in the Egyptian tourism industry Promoted by Dutch tour operators The Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt hosted a Business Lunch for Dutch Tour Operators that market Egypt as a destination for Dutch travelers.

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The event took place at the Ambassador’s residence in the Hague, with as aim to introduce the Dutch tour operators to new developments in the Egyptian tourism sector.

Among those present were TUI, Corendon, Riksja Travel, Koning Aap, and more.

The Ambassador H.E. Hatem Elsayed Kamaleldin warmly welcomed the guests before H.E. Ghada Shalaby, the Egyptian Deputy Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, gave a virtual presentation.

This presentation was supported by Mr Magued Abu Sdeira, the Director of the International Tourism Sector at the Egyptian Tourism Authority, Mr Karim Mohsen, 74 DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS

BY JULIE KENNEDY/PHOTOS ANTON VAN DER RIET

THE EMBASSY HOPES THIS EVENT WILL CONTRIBUTE TO INCREASING THE NUMBERS OF TOURISTS FROM THE NETHERLANDS TO EGYPT Member of the Steering Committee of the Egyptian Chamber of Tourism and Tour Operators and Agencies, and by Ms Ghada

Fahmy from the Egyptian Department of International Relations and Agreements.

Topics involved items such as the developments and achievements in the Egyptian Tourism Sector, the facilities that Egypt has to offer, and the health and safety measures with regards to COVID-19.

The representatives of the various tour operating companies were then free to ask their questions directly to the Egyptian participants, which led to many fruitful discussions.

The Embassy hopes this event will contribute to increasing the numbers of tourists from the Netherlands to Egypt, as well as to enhance

H.E. Mr Hatem Elsayed Kamaleldin hosted a business lunch for Dutch touroperators at the Ambassador’s residence in the Hague.

the cooperation between the Dutch and Egyptian tour operators. Egypt is indeed a beautiful country that can be visited and enjoyed by tourists 12 months of the year.

From the beautiful shores of the Sinai Peninsula, to the gorgeous coastline on the Mediterranean, a country infused with history as the oldest civilization of the world and with limitless treasures to be discovered.

One of the most exciting new developments for the tourism sector is the opening of new museums, such as the new National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, the new Luxor Museum of Ancient Egyptian Art, and the most important of all; the Grand Egyptian

ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING NEW DEVELOPMENTS FOR THE TOURISM SECTOR IS THE OPENING OF NEW MUSEUMS

Museum, which – upon its opening in the coming months – will be the largest archaeological museum in the world.

His Excellency the Ambassador of Egypt added: “One of the most important aspects of this event was getting the Dutch tour operators acquainted with the new developments in the tourism sector, for example by informing them about the opening of our new Grand Egyptian Museum, but also by introducing them to the new covid regulations that have been put in place to allow tourists to safely return to Egypt. The event was a huge success, and furthermore it was truly fruitful as we held important discussions on how Egypt can cooperate with the Dutch tour operators in increasing flows of travel towards Egypt’s key tourist destinations.”

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From left to right; Ms Esmé Hannan, Assistant at the Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt in The Hague; Mr Luc Lentjes, Director Product Yield at TUI; Mr Thierry Buné, Product Manager Adventure Specialist at Koning Aap; 76 DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS

Mr Magdi Mostafa, Head of Nile Travel International; Mr Danny Verheij, Sales Manager Egypt at Riksja Travel; H.E. Hatem Elsayed Kamaleldin, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt in The Hague; Mr Rogier van der Pluijm, Coordinator Middle East and North Africa at the

Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Mr Steven Oppenheim, Managing-Director at Oppenheim Travel; Ms Jenneke Bosma, Policy Officer Middle East and North Africa at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Mr Wim Woelders, Director Operations at Corendon;

Mr Sjoerd de Kort, Director Product Yield and Purchases at Corendon; Mr Sherif Hussein, First Secretary at the Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt in the Hague; Ms Ineke Visser, Product Manager Egypt at Riksja Travel.

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Spanish Ambassador bestows Mayor Jan van Zanen with the Order of the Isabella the Catholic The current Mayor of The Hague, H.E. Mayor van Zanen, received on October 15th by the hands of Spanish Ambassador H.E. María Jesús Alonso Jiménez, the prestigious award of The Order of Isabella the Catholic (Spanish: Orden de Isabel la Católica) for his role as former Mayor of Utrecht in bringing the start of the famous Spanish cycling tour “La Vuelta” to Utrecht.

PHOTO VALERIE KUYPERS

The Ambassador of Spain, H.E. Ms. María Jesús Alonso Jiménez and the Mayor of The Hague Mr. Jan van Zanen.

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The start of La Vuelta (the tour of Spain) from Utrecht was due to take place in 2020 but had to be postponed due to the Corona pandemic.

The ‘Vuelta a España’, first organised in 1935, is an annual multi-stage bicycle race primarily held in Spain, while also occasionally making passes through nearby countries, this is the first time it will start from Utrecht and will also pass by Breda and Den Bosch. Planned date is August 2022.

The Order of Isabella the Catholic is a Spanish civil order in which membership is granted in recognition of services that benefit the country.

His Excellency the Mayor names it “a tremendous honour” and adds “but the merit of bringing this special event to the Netherlands is not mine alone. I would therefore like to dedicate the award to all those who helped organise the Vuelta, in front of and behind the scenes. In Spain, in the municipalities of Utrecht, Breda and Den Bosch and the provinces of Utrecht and North Brabant.”

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the first Azerbaijani Fairy-tale book translated

A gift to Dutch children Azerbaijan is one of the ancient countries at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, which served and continues to serve today as the bridge between the West and the East. Baku, the capital city of Azerbaijan, situated on the shores of the Caspian Sea, was one of the main points on the Silk Road and accommodated the merchants and travellers from the East and the West.

BY H.E. MR FIKRAT AKHUNDOV, AMBASSADOR OF AZERBAIJAN | PHOTOS ANTON VAN DER RIET

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For Zoroastrians, Azerbaijan, and more specifically Baku city has long been a place of pilgrimage, with worshipers of this earliest religion attracted by the natural eternal flame.

The Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape on the other hand, houses 6,000 rock carvings, which depict people, animals, battle-pieces, ritual dances, bullfights, warriors, camel caravans, pictures of sun and stars, dating back, on average, to 5,000-20,000 years. This amalgamation of different ancient civilizations has made the culture and history of Azerbaijan so unique and so rich. This also created the atmosphere of multiculturalism and tolerance that we - the Azerbaijanis are so proud of. All those aspects became part of our national identity and also affected the legends, the music, oral and written literature, especially 80 DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS

the folklore and the fairy tales of the Azerbaijani people.

Today Azerbaijani people live in different parts of the world and mutually enrich other cultures in the places they live. In this way, the growing Azerbaijani community in the Netherlands felt an urge to preserve the connection between the new generations of Dutch Azerbaijanis with their Azerbaijani heritage. We also believed that the Azerbaijani fairy tales would be of interest to the people of the Netherlands, as they portray universal values; good and bad, justice and injustice, wealthy and poor, truth and lies.

This then led to the launch, with the support of the State Committee on Work with Diaspora of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijani community, of a project to

translate five Azerbaijani fairy tales into Dutch.

These were illustrated by the members of the Dutch-Azerbaijani community and published at the local printing house in The Hague. This is the first book of its kind. Each fairy-tale touches on different didactic stories and teaches the importance of courage, honesty, willpower, and family values.

The “Fairy tales from Azerbaijan” book has a noble mission at its core. The book was published for the June 1st, International Day for the Protection of Children and is the gift of the Embassy of Azerbaijan to the children across the Netherlands. A copy of the book was presented to the Royal library and another to the King of the Netherlands. The books were sent to the schools, children’s hospitals, and rehabilitation centres in the Netherlands.

H.E. Mr Fikrat Akhundov, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

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WE HOPE THESE KINDS OF PROJECTS REFLECT POSITIVELY ON THE BILATERAL RELATIONS BETWEEN THE SOCIETIES OF AZERBAIJAN AND THE NETHERLANDS AND WILL ENCOURAGE NEW AZERBAIJANI PROJECTS FOR THE DUTCH COMMUNITY IN THE NEAREST FUTURE. It has been a great honour for us to receive thank you messages from these places.

We would like to also express our gratitude to Diplomat Affairs magazine and in particular to Mrs. Shida Bliek for the interest in this book.

We hope these kinds of projects reflect positively on the bilateral relations between the societies of Azerbaijan and the Netherlands and will encourage new Azerbaijani projects for the Dutch community in the nearest future.

Ambassador Fikrat Akundov at the welcome ceremony of new Ambassadors at Diplomat Club Wassenaar/Kasteel De Wittenburg.

From left to right, first row: H.E. Mr M Riaz Hamidullah, Ambassador of Bangladesh, Mayor of Wassenaar, Leendert de Lange, H.E. Mr Fikrat Akhundov , Ambassador of Azerbaijan.

Second row: H.E. Mr Mark Anthony Pace, Ambassador of Malta, Mrs. Shida Bliek, H.E. Mr Mario Oyarzábal, Ambassador of Argentina H.E. Mr Fernando Arias, Director-General OPCW. Third row: Mr. Peter Bliek, Mr Rick Bijkerk, Mr Daniel Hallman, Mrs Yvonne Gail Madonsela.

Fourth row: Mrs Le Thi Hien Anh, H.E. Mr Pham Viet Anh, Ambassador of Vietnam, H.E. Mr Abdelouahab Bellouk Ambassador of Morocco, H.E. Mr Vuzimuzi Philemon Madonsela, Ambassador of South Africa Fifth row: Mrs Patricia van Oordt de Arias, Mrs Najat Bellouki, Mrs Caroline Klaver-Bouwman, Alderman of Wassenaar.

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Diplomat Club Wassenaar celebrates seven years of partnership with Kasteel De Wittenburg Seven years indeed that Diplomat Club Wassenaar, with the guidance of the Castle’s director, Mr Ralf Meppelder, have made this beautiful castle “a home away from home” for our honorary members the Ambassadors. Mr Meppelder has dedicated the past ten years to managing the castle with charm and brio, which includes organising together with us a myriad of events and National Days.

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This stunning building saw light of day in 1899 and was completed in its current form in 1901, before opening to the public in 1963.

This elegant, monumental, historical building has barely changed over the years, combining the charm of the past with the latest technology and comfort. As Mr Meppelder reminds us, “Major deals have been concluded here between world leaders and the business community”.

It is a joy for us to be able to welcome our guests and members at Kasteel de Wittenburg which also has ten exclusive bedrooms where guests from all over the world can stay and a renowned restaurant.

Restaurant Sophie is named after Sophie Adrienne Baroness Sloet van Oldruitenborgh who was married to Jonkheer Speelman. He in turn was the descendant of Cornelis Speelman, governor-general of the former Dutch East Indies, and had the castle built in the spring of 1899.

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BY JULIE KENNEDY/PHOTOS PASCALE VAN REIJN

Mr. Ralf Meppelder expressed his appreciation for this cooperation with the Club, saying: “We have had the honour, through the partnership with Diplomat Club Wassenaar, to

organise many National Days and other events, in close collaboration with the Embassies. We offer not only a spectacular venue in terms of the beautiful atmospheric reception rooms and stunning gardens, but we also offer the capacity to greet a larger group, for example in our ballroom and very importantly can offer a secure environment.”

Situated in Wassenaar, a 10-minute drive from the Binnenhof, the castle has had the privilege of receiving many guests from the political arena, the government, the Queen’s Commissioner, etc and has also held state visits with the necessary protocol.

After a challenging period with strict corona regulations and lockdowns, we, at Diplomat Club Wassenaar have just held, together with Kasteel de Wittenburg, our first National Day, that of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and we are eagerly preparing more events and looking forward to a full agenda in 2022.

We hope to see you there soon.

Ralf Meppelder: “Major deals have been concluded here between world leaders and the business community.”

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Diplomat Affairs Magazine and PAN Amsterdam: In touch with the Dutch Diplomat Affairs Magazine is delighted to partner with PAN Amsterdam 2021 to highlight this outstanding Dutch Art fair. We were delighted to ask Mr Mark Grol, Managing Director of PAN a few questions.

BY JULIE KENNEDY/PORTRET DESIREE ENGELAGE

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Mr Grol, I can imagine that your first year as managing Director under the aegis of the Corona pandemic was not what you had expected and the lockdown and cancellation of the 2020 version a hard blow, what insights would you say you gathered from this period?

I think I am not alone in saying that the Covid experience has turned our lives and our busi-nesses upside down. As an Art fair, our whole raison d’etre is to bring people together to enjoy art and to network with others who share their passion. Although having to cancel the 2020 PAN Amsterdam was a massive blow 86 DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS

both us and to all of the participants, who are shareholders of the fair, it has been inspiring to see how they embraced the new Covid reality and exploited the exciting possibilities offered by social media and online sales. As a result, our world has not just survived, but as thrived in many areas, through new initiatives and diversification. I think there has been a lot of trepidation in the art world about moving online but the pandemic has shown us that it is possible and that the new technology currently available can really help propel us forward as an industry. I find it amusing how many people would have scoffed at joining a

Zoom event just 2 years ago and now must be per-suaded to turn up in person! Luckily everyone loves an art fair, especially after such an ex-traordinary year and a half, so it’s good to see ticket sales reflecting everyone’s desire to jump back into real life.

As mentioned previously, PAN then had to operate in stealth mode to recoup losses and is now in full swing as PAN 2021 is about to open doors. What are you most excited about?

That we’re coming back with a bang! We have the most amazing line up of participants, not just the galleries themselves who are, of course,

Mr Mark Grol, Director of PAN Amsterdam DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS 87

the heart of the fair, but also the amazing participants from the wider art world. This year we want to make the PAN not just a won-derful Art fair but a cultural highlight for the Netherlands. I think everyone would agree that art should be seen in real life and is best enjoyed surrounded by people who share a pas-sion for it so we’re really looking forward to throwing open the doors and welcoming eve-ryone back in.

You yourself have a highly successful international career at Sotheby’s in London and Paris, as renowned art dealer in Hong Kong and Director of the prestigious Cahier D’Arts in Paris, what brought you ‘home” and why PAN? When I was asked to join PAN Amsterdam, I didn’t need to think twice. It’s the largest national Art fair and has the most impressive history. What’s unique about it is that it is an art fair set up by the participants themselves – you really couldn’t ask for more committed, knowledgeable, and passionate shareholders!

The PAN’s not only an Art fair where you can find the best the Netherlands has to offer for sale, it’s a cultural meeting space for everyone who loves art in all its many forms.

“AS THE PAN IS OWNED BY 150 ART DEALERS, MY MISSION IS TO ENSURE THEY HAVE THE BEST PODIUM POSSIBLE TO REALISE THEIR OWN AMBITIONS.” to get involved. And, although we are a commercial Art fair, I want us to be a showcase for the Netherland’s cultural scene reflecting the wealth and diversity the Dutch art market has to offer the world.

What would you say is your personal mission as Managing Director of PAN? As the PAN is owned by 150 art dealers, my mission is to ensure they have the best podium possible to realise their own ambitions. My goal is to ensure that the PAN is brimming with all the excitement and passion of the art world and an experience which entices you

Campagnebeeld

You studied Art in Groningen and are obviously very much an Art connoisseur and lover, what should we in particular look out for at PAN 2021?

I would say that you should take ample time to

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walk around and enjoy the broad variety of the 110 booths. We might be more interesting than a museum since we showcase the very best there is on the market in the Netherlands in 2021 and we do it across every possible art form you can think of. If you want to know what is big in the art world right now, the PAN is the place to find out. I imagine many of your readers are coming from other countries, so as a proud Dutch man I would suggest visiting Aronson Antiquaries at stand 40. They have the most impressive collection Delftware in the world so definitely worth a visit while living in the Netherlands. And not unimportant, you can even purchase it and become an owner of Dutch history. If you do have a more contemporary taste, do visit the stands of Willem Baars Projects (#30), Jan van Hoof Galerie (#14), Galerie Helga Hofman (#116) or Hidde van Seggelen (#41). They represent a broad spectrum of high-quality contemporary artists and are also well worth a visit!

At Diplomat Affairs magazine we are of course delighted to collaborate and contribute in this way to highlighting PAN to an international audience. How well-known would you say PAN is out-side of the Netherlands?

As one of the oldest art fairs in the world, PAN is well known in the international art scene but of course we’d like even more people from around the world to come and enjoy the fair.

We’re thrilled that Diplomat Affairs is promoting the fair and hope to welcome you and your readers to PAN 2021 in November.

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Through the eyes of Pierre Audi

Fair for Art, Antiques and Design

RAI Amsterdam 14 November — 21 November 2021 www.pan.nl

Diplomat Affairs magazine, in partnership with PAN Amsterdam Director Mark Grol and in collaboration with Tableau publisher Ms. Dominique van der Mee, are delighted to present a collection of articles highlighting various Art exhibitioners.

GUIDANCE AND TRANSLATION BY MS. JULIE KENNEDY

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BILDHALLE

AN ESTABLISHED NAME IN PHOTOGRAPHY PAN AMSTERDAM

Bildhalle is a Swiss photography gallery with one branch in Zurich and two in Amsterdam. Bildhalle is going all-out for its first participation at PAN Amsterdam, with a wide selection of outstanding photography, including both classic and contemporary works.

The gallery has developed, since its creation in 2013 by Mirjam Cavegn, into one of the leading galleries of photography in Switzerland. In 2020, Bildhalle opened a branch at Hazenstraat 15H in Amsterdam and in September 2021 expanded this further with a second branch at Willemsparkweg 134H. The gallery showcases a well-chosen selection of Dutch and international photographers, a mix of both young talent and established photographers. Bildhalle will exhibit works by photographer Ilona Langbroek. Her emotional series Silent Loss reveals an intimate and mysterious world of opulence and beauty. This personal series is based on the history of her family

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from the Dutch East Indies. Langbroek’s work touches on the lost identity of the large number of people who were forced to leave their country after the Indonesian independence. She depicts this loss through a metaphorical representation of memories and fantasies in poetic images, strongly influenced by the painting techniques of the Dutch masters of the Golden Age. These pieces will be shown alongside the most recent works of Bastiaan Woudt, who celebrates his ten-year anniversary as a photographer in 2021. His career has seen a tremendous development in the past decade, which has left an unmistakable mark on the world of contemporary art photography. The charcoal tones and elegant compositions in Woudt’s work make the viewer feel as if they are in a modern painting, witnessing the elegant dance between light and shadow.

Bildhalle also presents works by Dutch photographer Casper Faassen. Faassen’s work is characterised by unique, powerful lines, a beautiful play of light and a continuously innovative application of materials and techniques. He combines photography with layers of painting, creating a contrasting effect by placing the subject of ‘beauty’ alongside the form of ‘decay’, with an enchanting result. We also go back in time to the year 1952, when Swiss photographer René Groebli went on his honeymoon to Paris with his wife Rita. The trip resulted in the series The Eye of Love and constitutes a visual love poem.

Vintage prints made by the photographer himself in 1952 will be on display. Finally, the iconic work Ali Left Fist will be displayed. The work was shot in 1966 by Thomas Hoepker - a Master of Photography. He won his first award for this medium aged 14 and in 2003, at the age of 57, he was appointed president of Magnum Photos. Bildhalle cordially invites you to visit its booth and get acquainted.

In September 2021, Bildhalle opened its second branch in Amsterdam with the solo show RHYTHM by Bastiaan Woudt.

Bildhalle Hazenstraat 15H NL-1016 SM Amsterdam +31 20 241 47 48 Willemsparkweg 134H 1071 HR Amsterdam +31 20 808 88 05 info@bildhalle.nl

< Bastiaan Woudt, Elegance, 2021, 120x90cm or 185x135cm, archival pigment print on Innova Baryta Paper, ©Bastiaan Woudt, Elegance, 2021, courtesy of Bildhalle > Casper Faassen, Igoné Marron, 180x150cm, Oil paint, color and white print on setasand, ©Casper Faassen, Igoné Marron, 2020, courtesy of Bildhalle

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DOUWES FINE ART (SINCE 1770) PAN AMSTERDAM

Each generation has added its own unique expertise and vision to the company since it was founded in 1770. Now, in its 8th and 9th generation, Douwes Fine Art offers five centuries of paintings, works on paper and sculpture.

Instead of specialising in just one era or style, we have chosen to use our extensive expertise in five centuries of painting to our advantage. This enables us to offer a wide variety of Dutch, Flemish, French, Russian and international works of art and to put Art into perspective over the centuries. Not only do we have significant, rare, and valuable paintings, but we also try to enthuse each and every young collector by offering quality art at favourable prices. Our unique collection of art of quality is the result of over 250 years of expertise in buying and selling art, as well as of our knowledge of conservation and the restoration of durable works of art. We are delighted to be able to physically welcome our clients once more at the PAN fair, after the past 1.5 year of ‘seclusion’. Many new, positive developments have emerged from this period of enforced isolation. Our new website and social media channels have actually broadened the contact with our customers during this difficult time and increased our reach. One surprising effect we noticed during this period, was an increased interest, in many of our Dutch clients, for their own environment. They saw anew the importance that art can bring to our lives now that there was more awareness within the personal environment.

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The traditional, conscientious art dealer is a passionate collector at heart Technological innovation provided more opportunities for connection. Douwes Fine Art, however, believes that art is best experienced in its original form. Physically experiencing a work of art can provoke authentic and powerful emotions and true art is born from these emotions. This is the sort of art that we, at Douwes, call Art with a capital ‘A’. Our deepest wish is that our fine family tradition will be able to pursue this in an enjoyable way, and that we may be able to continue serving collectors and potential buyers with the best knowledge we have at our disposal. We look forward to welcoming you to our stand for this special edition of PAN 2021 and otherwise our gallery will be open to the public from Tuesday to Friday and by appointment.

Douwes Fine Art Johannes Vermeerstraat 15-hs 1071 DK Amsterdam www.douwesfineart.com info@douwesfineart.com tel: +31 (0) 20664 6362

< Evert and Evert-Anthony Douwes > Cornelis Springer (Amsterdam 1817 – 1891 Hilversum), The ‘Huis met de Hoofden’ in Amsterdam aan de Keizersgracht 123, 1853, oil paint on panel: 66x55cm, signed, monogrammed and dated ‘53, Literature: W. Laanstra Cornelis Springer, p. 84, no. 53-6. Amsterdam, 1984. > Piet Ouborg (Dordrecht 1893 – 1956 Den Haag), Op Geel Ovaal, c. 19471948, gouache on paper, 35,5x50cm, expertise: authenticated by W. Jos de Gruyter

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ART DEALERSHIP E.J. VAN WISSELINGH & CO

FOCUS ON THE MAÎTRES FRANÇAIS PAN AMSTERDAM

Art dealership E.J. van Wisselingh & Co, was founded in 1838 in London and Amsterdam. Owner Willem de Winter established the company in Haarlem. The gallery specialises in Dutch and French masters from the 19th and 20th centuries.

Matthijs Maris, Marius Bauer, George Hendrik Breitner, Willem Witsen and Willem de Zwart are among some of the Dutch artists who sold many of their works of art at Van Wisselingh. But famous works by Gustave Courbet, Daumier and Jongkind also changed hands here. The company also had a furniture workshop around the turn of the century, where three artists, Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof, C.A. Lion Cachet and Theo Nieuwenhuis, worked. They designed interiors, mainly for Amsterdam notables and the workshop executed the work. Many of these items are now among the finest and most elaborate objects made in the Netherlands in the Art nouveau or Jugendstil period. A wonderful example of this is the so-called Nieuwenhuis-room in the Rijksmuseum, which comes from an Amsterdam home. Taste, in the 19th and early 20th centuries, was not determined by museums but mainly by the art trade and private collectors. Several of these

collectors, who regularly bought paintings, watercolours, drawings, prints and furniture from Van Wisselingh, donated their collections to Dutch museums in the first half of the 20th century. The Rijksmuseum acquired the collections of Van Lynden, Westerwoudt, Hoogendijk, Van Randwijk, Reich, and Van Wezel, who were all regular clients of Van Wisselingh.

Gallery E.J. van Wisselingh & Co Willem de Winter Baan 41, 2012 DC Haarlem www.wisselingh.com Mob. +31 (0)6 – 547 06 555 Mail. info@wisselingh.com

Taste in the 19th and early 20th centuries, was mainly determined by art dealers and collectors

< Eugène Galien- Laloue (1854-1941), Place du Châtelet, Paris, gouache, signed, 32 x 39 cm.

The gallery E.J. van Wisselingh & Co will mainly be focussing on the ‘Maîtres Francais’ during PAN, with works by Eugène Boudin, Charles Francois Daubigny, Francois Bonvin, Antoine Vollon, Maximilien Luce, Eugène Galien-Laloue, André Brasilier, Alexandre René Veron, Eugène Louis Lami, Théodore Rousseau, Théodule Augustin Ribot & André Marchand. A particular work of interest is the painting of Deauville, Le Bassin by Eugène Boudin (1824 - 1898) dating from 1896.

Manuel Schmit confirmed that this painting will be included in the yet to be published Supplement III of the Catalogue Raisonné of the paintings by Eugène Boudin (1824 - 1898).

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> Eugène Boudin (1824 – 1898), Deauville, Le Bassin, 1896, oil paint on panel, signed and dated ‘96, 32,5 x 41 cm. > Ferdinand Joseph Gueldry (1858 – 1945), Clermont Ferrand, oil on cardboard, signed, l.o.

21,5 x 35 cm.

KUNSTHANDEL E.J. VAN WISSELINGH & CO

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IVO BOUWMAN

THE HAGUE - PARIS – AMSTERDAM PAN AMSTERDAM

Central to the almost fifty years I have been dealing in works of art, is the interaction between Dutch and French artists. This is particularly so with Isaac Israels and J.B. Jongkind, two artists who constitute the red thread running through my existence as an art dealer to this day.

I have taken part, over the course of the past decades, in dozens of art fairs at home and abroad, from Delft, Amsterdam and Maastricht to London, Johannesburg, New York and Hong Kong. The outcome of these art fairs has been variable; at times extremely good, but at others barely breaking even or even making a small loss, but I always made new, interesting contacts. This has led me to always approach each fair with great enthusiasm and optimism. As a young art dealer, I rapidly made the acquaintance of Victorine Hefting, the Jongkind expert by definition, and of Isaac Israels specialist Anna Wagner. These two ladies from The Hague inspired me to fullheartedly promote and showcase works by both masters. J.B. Jongkind and Isaac Israels have formed the core of the works I displayed at all exhibitions. I also kind of felt like a pioneer by showing these Dutch artists abroad, as I was introducing people to artists who were previously totally unknown to them.

Seen that most of Jongkind’s works were found in France, I also gradually became interested in his French contemporaries, particularly in the representatives of impressionism. The

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developments in France around the turn of the century have always been an inexhaustible source and inspiration for me. It went from impressionism to pointillism, fauvism, and cubism.

First in France, but then these movements also impacted artists in the Netherlands. Think of Kees van Dongen, Jan Sluijters and Leo Gestel. It was a fascinating time! Such an unimaginable number of beautiful works of art were created within a half century. This period has come to lie at the heart of my trade in art.

Isaac Israels, as a Dutch painter, is inextricably linked to this.

Having studios in Paris, London, and The Hague, many of his paintings are linked to these cities in terms of subject. He liked to capture the models and sewing ateliers of the various fashion houses. The painting on the right, Essayeuses chez Paquin from 1905, was once part of the collection of Dr J.H. Reisel in Amsterdam. A larger version of the same painting can be found in the Dordrecht Museum.

My great friend Jongkind was not only a fantastic painter, but above all a great watercolourist. Anyone having seen a large retrospective of Jongkind, will conclude that Jongkind was one of the great precursors of impressionism. A perfect example is the watercolour from 1866 shown here. Where a Dutch contemporary would have depicted the same subject in great detail, Jongkind only gives an impression of the whole and thus proves himself a true master.

Ivo Bouwman

Art gallery Ivo Bouwman Jan van Nassaustraat 80 2596 BW Den Haag www.ivobouwman.nl info@ivobouwman.nl 00-31 (0)6-53928822

< J.B. Jongkind (18191891), Bateaux sur l’Escaut pres d’Anvers, 1866, aquarelle, gouache and graph-ite on papier, 19,5x34cm, signed and dated bottom right > Isaac Israels (18651934), Essayeuses chez Paquin, 1905, canvas, 87x50cm, signed bottom right

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UBBENS ART

WHERE SMALLER MASTERS HAVE THEIR MOMENTS OF BRILLIANCE PAN AMSTERDAM

Ubbens Art has something to celebrate, namely the fifth birthday of the gallery.

And to celebrate this first lustrum it is participating, for a second time, in PAN.

Ubbens Art, in its 60 square metre stand (112), showcases a selection of stunning, mysterious, and surprising paintings and works on paper. The period from 1800 to 1950 is superbly represented with movements such as the (late) Symbolism, Romanticism, and the Dutch Impressionism of the Hague

School and the Tachtigers (The Eighties movement). You will also find works by the so-called traveller-painters. Artists who did not hesitate to seek out adventure in order to transfer it to paper or canvas.

The house’s speciality is indeed ‘where smaller masters have their moments of brilliance’; idiosyncratic scenes within the oeuvre of the ‘petits maîtres’, at home and abroad.

A selection of stunning, mysterious, and surprising paintings and works on paper A good example of this, is the mysterious and somewhat melancholic self-portrait at table by the Italian Serafino Macchiati.

Another out of the ordinary piece that fits perfectly with the gallery’s style, is a lyrical black-and-white drawing, almost abstract, by artist Dirk Govert van Luijn, from Utrecht, dating September 1921.

Ubbens Art prides itself on exhibiting as many unique pieces of work as possible within the oeuvre of small, yet well-known artists.

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Ubbens Art Brediusweg 62, 1401 AJ Bussum +31657202292 jop@ubbensart.com www.ubbensart.com

< Karel de Neree tot Babberich (1880-1909), Walden, titled verso, East-Indian ink on paper, 35x22cm, dated around 1901. > Serafino Macchiati (1861-1916), Self-portrait, signed with initials, oil paint on canvas, 14x21cm, dated around 1900-05. > Ferdinand Hart Nibbrig (1866-1915), Zoutelande, signed, oil paint on canvas, 40x60cm, painted between 1910-15.

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MENTINK & ROEST ANTIQUE DEALERS AND HOROLOGISTS

QUALITY IS TIMELESS PAN AMSTERDAM

Mentink & Roest is renowned for its exceptional collection of clocks. You can hear time’s discreet voice all around you in the elegant clock room of the monumental manor house, where clocks of sublime beauty steadily tick away the minutes and then exuberantly strike the hour and half hour.

L. XVI OEIL DE BOEUF Striking ornate brass tendrils and garlands wind around the case of this Louis XVI oeil de boeuf made of patinated bronze.

The white enamelled dial plate, combined with the finely pierced, engraved hour and minute hands, form an elegant whole. This French clock, dating from circa 1790, has an hourly and half-hourly striking mechanism, and a running time of one week.

THE HAGUE CLOCK This ‘Hague clock’ stands in its full glory and makes the collector’s heart flutter. High-quality silver ornaments adorn the ebony-veneered clock with black lacquered Roman numbering and beautifully finely pierced hour and minute hands. This Dutch clock, which dates from around 1680, has an hourly striking mechanism and a running time of one week.

It bears the elegant signature of master clockmaker Joseph Norris Amsterdam.

THE ATMOS TIMEPIECE, TRANSPARENT AND ETERNAL The Parisian engineer and inventor J.L. Reutter designed this type of clock, which uses differences in temperature to keep the movement in motion. This French Atmos clock’s balance wheel steadily turns in the nickel-plated brass case with faceted glass walls. It dates from the 1930s and is signed Atmos Pendule Perpetuelle.

WILHÄLMUS KÖBERLE EICHSTET’S TABLE CLOCK This hexagonal gilt-brass Table clock is monumental despite

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its small size of 8.5 cm diameter. This 17th century clock has an hourly striking mechanism with quarter repeat and was crafted around 1690 in Germany. The richly engraved clock carries the graceful signature of clockmaker Wilhälmus Köberle Eichstet.

Outstanding combinations of beauty, craftsmanship and knowledge Mentink & Roest Antique Dealers is known worldwide for its collection of antique clocks, barometers, and scientific instruments of museum quality. Authenticity and quality, craftsmanship and expertise, discretion and integrity are in our DNA. Our company, located in the Betuwe village of Ingen, specialises in quality and exceptional clocks from the 16th to the 19th century. Thanks to our own restoration workshop, all objects are in impeccable condition. Our philosophy is to warmly welcome the collector, in a fresh and accessible environment where quality, reliability, rarity and exclusivity are visible and guaranteed. We look forward to meeting you at our stand, at PAN Amsterdam 2021.

Mentink & Roest BV Molenstraat 22 4031 JS Ingen The Netherlands 0344-603606 www.mentinkenroest.com

MENTINK & ROEST ANTIQUAIRS EN HOROLOGISTS

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PAUL RUITENBEEK

A LOVE OF SYMBOLISM AND CRAFTSMANSHIP PAN AMSTERDAM

Paul Ruitenbeek specialises in early Chinese ceramics and works of art dating up to the 18th century. The gallery is located on the Herengracht in Amsterdam and can be visited on appointment. Paul Ruitenbeek Chinese Art is member of the Royal Association of Fine Art Dealers in the Netherlands since 2021.

High quality objects of art have been manufactured in China since as far back as the early Neolithic period, over three thousand years before Christ. Each period has its own charm, often influenced by religion, customs, the exchange between different cultures and the availability of knowledge and materials. Fascinating among these, is the world of the Chinese literati, who, for centuries were inspired by nature and history. The objects they admired and used, reflect this

par excellence. These scholar’s objects are often elegant and discreet and made out of a broad variety of materials. This particular category will be widely represented during PAN in, among other things, bronze, jade, lacquer, wood, porcelain, glass, and bamboo. Ceramics are also central to the collection, pieces that were almost exclusively intended for the Chinese market, from burial ceramics to imperial porcelain. A private collection of ceramics from the Song dynasty (960-1279) will be showcased amongst others, including a very refined Qingbai porcelain lidded jar (pictured left).

Paul Ruitenbeek Herengracht 390 1016 CJ Amsterdam www.paulruitenbeek.com E: paulruitenbeek.art@ gmail.com T: +31(0)645716465

JADE

> Jade boulder on wooden stand, China, Qing dynasty, 18th century, 17.6cm wide, 9.8cm high.

The carved jade boulder (pictured right), dating from the 18th century, is an impressive object full of hidden symbolism. It depicts in deep relief, with great precision and artistic skill, a mountain landscape with, on the right-hand side, a scholar and servant on their way to a pavilion situated higher up. They cross a waterfall on the way, via a natural bridge. Pine trees and lingzhi, the fungus of longevity, grow from the rocks, and are also held in both figures’ hands. Remarkably, the other side is also beautifully decorated with pine trees, deer and lingzhi.

Depth is created on both sides, by several layers of relief, enhanced by the orange-brown areas that have been used exclusively for the outer layer. One important aspect, besides the outstanding quality of the material and craftsmanship, is the underlying symbolism. This is created by no fewer than five hidden elements, namely the rocks, pine trees, deer, lingzhi and the waterfall, which all symbolise longevity.

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​ Qingbai porcelain lidded < jar, China, Song dynasty, 12th-13th century, 7.1cm high.

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RUEB MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY ART

RUEB, BACK ON THE PAN AFTER 8 YEARS PAN AMSTERDAM

Rueb Modern and Contemporary Art is presenting several works by internationally renowned artists at this edition of PAN. They will be showcasing for instance, an important video by Bill Viola and a cubist drawing by Pablo Picasso dating from 1915.

In Bill Viola’s 2005 video diptych, entitled Ablutions, we see a man and a woman performing the ritual of washing their hands side by side. This physically repetitive act is the preparation for a transcendent experience, namely a symbolic rebirth. The two plasma screens are part of Viola’s sevenpart Purification series in which ritual acts are central. Viola developed as teenager a passion for the poems by the Spanish mystic Saint John of the Cross, a spiritual source of inspiration

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that still resonates in his work today. The video shown here is a wonderful example of this.

The drawing by Picasso is extraordinary as his cubist work is rarely on the market. It shows a figure sitting on a chair and can be dated to 1915. Picasso made several variations on this subject in that year, of which Harlequin on a Chair from MOMA is a well-known example. Picasso is seen as the father of Cubism, a style that questions the traditional way of perceiving and depicting and radically breaks with the classical linear perspective. The provenance of this work is also interesting: it comes from the collection of Picasso’s granddaughter Marina, who received a fifth of the estate. She uses the proceeds from the works to support projects for children in need.

Another interesting work is a cubist drawing by Tamara de Lempicka ca 1923. After fleeing the Russian Revolution, she arrived in Paris in 1919, where she immersed herself in the bohemian world of the international art scene. De Lempicka is best known for her much-demanded art deco portraits of powerful women and modern men.

In addition to work by established names such as Viola, Picasso and De Lempicka, Rueb is exhibiting works by contemporary artists who are currently in the spotlight. One example is a painting by Norbert Schwontkowski, a German artist who had a solo exhibition in the Kunstmuseum Den Haag earlier this year. His work is inspired by Zen Buddhism and storytelling, that ancient quintessential human activity. His work therefore has a strong meditative and narrative character, with often a humorous touch. All these aspects come together in the work on display here.

Rueb Banstraat 4 1071 JZ Amsterdam T: 020 676 75 66 M: 06 22 80 59 62 info@rueb.nl www.rueb.nl Bezoek volgens afspraak

< Pablo Picasso (18811973), ‘Personnage assis dans un fauteuil’, (1915), Pencil on paper, 32.5x23.5 cm > Bill Viola (1951), ‘Ablutions’, (2005), colour video diptych on 2 plasma screens, 101.5x122x10.8 cm, ed 2/7 (+1 AP) > Norbert Schwontkowski (1949-2013), ‘Unter Wasser gehen’, (2002), Signed verso-oil on canvas 40x50 cm

RUEB MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY ART

DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS 107

Se WILLEM VAN DE VELDE AND SON

a

AT

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By Floor Wiegerinck

The former National Sea Arsenal shimmers in the morning sun. The impressive, white-plastered building, designed in 1656 by Daniel Stalpaert and which served as a warehouse for the Admiralty of Amsterdam, now houses the treasures of Het Scheepvaartmuseum, the Netherlands Maritime Museum.

It has now been five years since Michael Huijser took office as the museum’s new director. Time to reflect on the past years and cast a glance at the future, starting with the special exhibition of ‘Willem van de Velde & Son’.

WILLEM VAN DE VELDE AND SON

W

hen Michael Huijser took over as director of the Maritime Museum in the summer of 2016, the museum was in dire straits. Huijser: “When I became director, it was unclear what exactly the museum stood for. This led us to draft a new vision and mission: Water connects worlds. What is the relationship between the visitors and the maritime history of the Netherlands? How does it affect individuals and their family history? Worlds come together when you share all these stories.”

FRESH WIND The museum is also mounting two new permanent exhibitions, ‘Republic by the Sea’ and ‘Cartography and Curiosities’, in an attempt to tell a broader story by illuminating history from different angles. This often sounds easier than it is. Huijser: “What we struggle with as Maritime Museum is that as a society, we want to capture everything in clichés. But reality is so much more subtle. We always aim, as a museum, to try to paint as complete a picture as possible. One of the ways we do so, is by inviting the public to tell their story and by listening to the questions the public asks about history.

Another challenging factor is that the sources of information handed down are mainly from a European perspective. One example of this is the painting Braziliaans landschap (Brazilian Landscape) by the painter Frans Post, dating from 1650. The museum complements the artist’s painting by emphasising what is not shown here. Namely, the 25,000 enslaved people

forced to work on the sugar plantations of the WIC. Or it emphasises elements which were ignored for a long time. Like the African man in the portrait of Cornelis Tromp, painted by Ferdinand Bol around 1676. Sources tell us nothing about this man, but at least now, he has a right to exist. Huijser: “When the museum acquires a work of art, we always look at the story told by the painting. We are looking in particular for the context behind a work of art so that we not only interpret the period in which it was created, but also the times in which we live today.

PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE Huijser’s ambition as director is to connect maritime history with the present and the future in a surprising and innovative way. Huijser: ‘I think that the past, present, and the future are all connected, and I find it interesting to interpret history in a very practical way. It often turns out for example that what is happening nowadays is not all that different from what happened in the past. We currently think that we have a refugee problem, but we have always been a country that took in refugees. We were already doing so in the 16th century.

The National Maritime Museum also involves contemporary art in its exhibitions. Such as Hans Op de Beeck and his

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<< Willem van de Velde the Younger, Gezicht van Engelse oorlogsschepen op een rede na, 1672, oil on canvas, 105x89cm, The Kremer Collection < Frans Post, Braziliaans landschap, 1650, oil on panel, 22,5×28cm, coll.

Rijksmuseum < Ferdinand Bol (attributed), Luitenant-admiraal Cornelis Tromp (1629- 1691), around 1667, oil on canvas, 148,5×31cm, coll. Het Scheepvaartmuseum

If you look closely at the paintings, you will see figures jumping overboard > Willem van de Velde the Younger, Het verzamelen van de Nederlandse vloot voor de Vierdaagse Zeeslag, 11- 14 juni 1666, 1670, oil on canvas, 133,5x202,5cm, Moveo Art Collection

2019 ‘Sea of Tranquillity’ exhibition where he created a total experience, depicting his vision of the future of cruise liners and the world around them. Or the exhibition ‘Angels of the Sea’ for which Stephan Vanfleteren photographed all 108 boys from Royal Work IBIS, a family replacement training institute in Bredene, Belgium.

The National Maritime Museum is also looking to the future.

‘We held, at the beginning of this year for example, the exhibition ‘Rising Water’ with work by Kadir van Lohuizen, in which he made the global impact of the rising sea level

visible. This is not only relevant to us, but also to the rest of the world. That is why we have made it into a travelling exhibition.

The museum places sustainability at the forefront, hence we also try to make the exhibition as sustainable as possible.

By uploading for example, the photos locally, so there is no need for transportation. In this way, we make an exhibition on sustainability, a sustainable project in itself.’

This autumn will see a long-cherished wish come true: an exhibition on the marine artists Willem van de Velde the Elder and Willem van de Velde the Younger. Huijser: ‘Even before I became director, there were plans for an exhibition on Willem van de Velde and his son. Unfortunately, something always came in-between, and it never got off the ground. When I became director, I decided that this exhibition had to go ahead no matter what’.

MARITIME PAINTING Maritime painting is a Dutch invention and gets into its stride around 1600, with painter Hendrick Cornelisz Vroom (15661640), as one of the most important founders of this genre.

The Reformation at the end of the 16th and early 17th century, saw a shift in theme within the world of painting, from the religious to more bourgeois topics. Portraits, landscapes, ››

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WILLEM VAN DE VELDE AND SON

but also seascapes became increasingly popular.

At the end of the 16th century, the Republic of the Netherlands increasingly developed into a major naval power. After the fall of Antwerp in 1585, the port of Amsterdam grew into the largest port in Europe. The Dutch East India Company was founded in 1602, and the Republic gained a trade monopoly on the Baltic Sea. The sea also witnessed many battles. There was the Eighty Years’ War, and the Republic also became involved in three Anglo-Dutch wars after the Treaty of Munster in 1648. The main issue was domination over the North Sea. These developments led to the growing popularity of maritime painting and the demand from all walks of life for these masterpieces increased enormously.

Huijser: ‘A total of around three million paintings were made in the 17th century, which is a gigantic amount. A large part of these were of low quality and often large-scale production work that was sold for little money. The art of printing also enabled a wider distribution of etchings and engravings, making it possible for artists to become known throughout Europe. Willem van de Velde and his son leapt right into this market with their specialised and detailed maritime works of art.

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< Willem van de Velde the Elder, De zeeslag bij Nieuwpoort, 1653-1654 < Willem van de Velde the Elder, De zeeslag bij Nieuwpoort, 1653-1654, ink on panel, 96x146,5cm, long-term loan from the Foundation Vaderlandsch Fonds ter Aanmoediging van ‘s Lands Zeedienst.

much as nine metres long. Once back home, he worked out his drawings in minute detail with pen on canvas or panel. Huijser: ‘What fascinates me in the work of Van de Velde the Elder is the degree of detail, and thus also the amount of misery. If you look closely at the paintings, you can see figures jumping overboard or bodies flying through the air after a cannon shot.

You have the freedom to leave these kinds of details out as an artist. This makes him not only an exceptional draughtsman but also a reliable source of history.

Van de Velde the Younger also went to sea several times.

Willem van de Velde the Younger already learned the tricks of the trade from his father from an early age. He was also apprenticed to marine painter Simon de Vlieger, a good friend of the family. Willem van de Velde the Younger specialised in oil paintings. Like his father, he had a keen eye for detail, but could also convey the atmosphere of a naval battle with a good sense of colour and composition.

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CANAL

WILLEM VAN DE VELDE & SON Willem van de Velde the Elder was born in Leiden in 1611 into a sea-faring family. It is not known exactly when he began drawing or whether he received any training. Willem van de Velde the Elder married Judicgen Adriaensdr van Leeuwen and in 1633 a son was born: Willem van de Velde the Younger.

The family moved at some point during the following years to Amsterdam, as their son Adriaen was baptised in the Oude Kerk in 1636. It was in Amsterdam that Willem van de Velde the Elder started work as a ship’s draftsman. His drawings were mainly published as prints and, at first, sold separately.

His sons both followed in their father’s footsteps. Willem specialised in marine paintings and Adriaen developed as a landscape painter. Willem van der Velde the Elder and his son Willem built up a successful business specialising mainly in maritime paintings. It is not entirely clear whether Adriaen also played a role in the family business.

PAINTER AT SEA One of the reasons for the Van de Velde success was that Van de Velde the Elder sailed between 1653 and 1673 as a ship’s draughtsman in the major naval battles fought during the Anglo-Dutch Wars. He was the first painter ever to sail with the fleet. He drew and sketched the progress of the battle from a galleon, a small sailing ship that sailed between the large ships carrying messages. He used large sheets of paper which he then stuck together to create a long strip, sometimes as

PERSPECTIVE Huijser: ‘Determining how to approach the exhibition on Willem van de Velde and his son was a real challenge. At first, we wanted an art-historical perspective, but we felt, as a museum, that it is important to offer visitors a context of the period in which this work was made. That is why we finally opted for a cultural-historical approach.’

For a moment it seemed that Corona would throw a spanner in the works, but thankfully the exhibition could be postponed for a year. Huijser: ‘Fortunately, all the loans were also available a year later. There are loans from The Royal Collections, Greenwich and also from the Royal Collection in the Netherlands. Our own King is lending a work by Van de Velde the Younger that normally hangs in his study. Of course, the newly acquired Solebay tapestries will also be on display.

It promises to be a very special exhibition. ››

> Willem van de Velde the Younger, Een Engels schip in een stormachtige wind, circa 1700, oil on canvas, 32x38cm, coll. National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London

In 1672, the economic growth of the Republic started to stagnate as not only England but also France declared war on the Republic. Whereas earlier, the Van de Veldes had profited from the great demand for paintings of naval battles and portraits of ships and captains, now the art market collapsed completely. This was then the moment for the artists to accept the invitation of the English king Charles II to become his court painters. Huijser: “There is no question here of desertion or defecting to the enemy. Many people left the Republic that year as a better income could be earned abroad. The Van de Veldes furthermore had extensive knowledge of sea battles and how they were formed, which suited the English King very well.

Willem van de Velde and son, The National Maritime Museum (Het Scheepvaartmuseum) 1 October 2021to 27 March 2022

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Aelbert Cuyp, the master of golden light Aelbert Cuyp (1620-1691) is one of the leading landscape painters of the Dutch 17th century.

He is the master of golden light, and Dordrecht’s most famous painter. On the occasion of his 400th birthday, the Dordrecht’s Museum has organised a unique exhibition in which appreciation for Cuyp and his impact on British landscape painting take centre stage.

T

The Discovery of Cuyp It is a remarkable story. In his own day, Aelbert Cuyp was only known locally. He lived his entire life in Dordrecht and worked almost exclusively for local clients. The discovery of Cuyp is an English affair. A veritable Cuyp mania arose there midway through the 18th century – his sun-drenched landscapes were extremely popular with English collectors. A Cuyp was a must-have in their grand country houses. The British aristocracy were as keen to show off with the sunlit landscapes with horses, horsemen and hunting as Cuyp’s Dordrecht clients had been a century earlier.

CUYP BECAME FAMOUS FOR THE TRANQUIL, AGREEABLE ATMOSPHERE IN HIS DUTCH LANDSCAPES, BATHED IN THE GOLDEN LIGHT OF A SETTING SUN Cuyp’s finest work is still to be found in England.

Influence in England Internationally popular Cuyp was discovered late compared to other Dutch painters, but no other artist became as popular in such a short period of time. By 1800, there had been a total sell-out and there were barely any paintings by Cuyp still to be found in the Netherlands. To this day, 114 DIPLOMAT AFFAIRS

British landscape painters were particularly fond of Cuyp’s work. The warm light and motifs such as Cuyp’s cows inspired Thomas Gainsborough, John Constable, J.M.W.Turner and countless other English artists. Turner even visited Dordrecht on several occasions to see and sketch Cuyp’s city. Cuyp’s city

views and cattle pieces became incredibly popular in England. He became famous for the tranquil, agreeable atmosphere in his Dutch landscapes, bathed in the golden light of a setting sun.

Masterpieces from around the world Masterpieces by Cuyp, from renowned collections including those of Queen Elizabeth II of England, the National Gallery in Washington, the Duke of Bedford (Woburn Abbey) and the National Gallery in London are returning to Dordrecht for a limited period of time, and will be shown together with masterpieces by the great English landscape painters Gainsborough, Constable and Turner. Many of the paintings by Cuyp and his English followers will be on public view in the Netherlands for the first time.

With thanks to the Dordrecht’s Museum More information: dordrechtsmuseum.nl

IN THE LIGHT OF