Events Calendar: The European Union Is Setting Up A Culture-Filled Summer In The Philippines -

A host of countries are participating for Viva Europa 2021, a series of performances, film festival, quizzes, and webinars starting next month.

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This summer, the European Union (EU) will be holding events that showcase poetry, music and visual arts, dance, film, literature, science, cycling, and children’s arts and crafts. Called Viva Europa 2021, these will be made available in the EU’s Facebook page starting May 9, which is also Europe Day.

EU Ambassador Luc Véron says that this series wants to highlight the partnership, friendship and the shared cultural values between the EU and the Philippines and in the context of the bilateral Partnership and Cooperation Agreement.

Celebrating great verses

On May 16 at 10AM, through the “Lakbayin Natin ang EU” festival, the EU Delegation together with the Embassies of Czech Republic, Germany, France, Italy through the Philippine-Italian Association, Austria and Poland have prepared the best of European stories and tales, games, languages, film, music, arts and crafts for Filipino children.

For the annual “Bersong Euro-Pinoy recital, to be held on May 21 and 28, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Austria and Poland will all participate. 

For the first time, German artist and actress Luisa Katharina Davids will recite the German translation of Mi Ultimo Adios“ during the event. This year, the German Embassy also unveils José Rizal’s former furniture from Heidelberg, Germany, and an official marker with the German translation of “Mi Ultimo Adios“ at the Museo ni José Rizal in Intramuros.

Filipino poets from De La Salle University will read their original works in Filipino, Hiligaynon, Kinaray-a, and Waray. The poets and their works include  Mesándel Virtusio Arguelles “Kasama”; John Iremil Teodoro, “Sa Hardin sang Ginuo: Isa Ka Pangamuyo sa Tiempo sang Pandemya”; Carmie Ortego  “Paglakát mo nag-lipstick ako hin pula”; and Genevieve L. Asenjo “Sa Gihapon, Palangga, ang Uran.” Filipino poets from Ateneo de Zamboanga University and Mindanao will also read their pieces also in the mother tongue.

Artistic performances

On June 4, performances from the Embassies of the Czech Republic, Germany Spain, France, Italy, Austria and Poland will be shown. 

A contemporary dance titled “GUIDE” will be performed by Věra Ondrašíková and Co. from the Czech Republic. The performance was selected for Aerowaves Twenty 17, presented at Spring Forward Festival in Aarhus, One Dance Week festival in Plovdiv, SIDance Festival in Soul, V4 Dance Festival in New York and New Orleans, Israel Festival in Jerusalem, Birmingham International Dance Festival, UNIDRAM Festival in Potsdam, Open the doors festival in Katowice, Demoludy in Olsztyn, Tanec Praha in Prague and Light Night Leeds.

German visual artist Lisa Kossen will bring to life a musical number through her visual art, along with Jazz artist Eric Soulard from France, Violinist Tullio Vidmar from Italy, “Trio Artio” from Austria, and Jazz artist Artur Dutkiewicz from Poland.

Films and webinars

In the EU Film Festival and EuroPelikula, carefully-selected films will be accessible  May 5 to June 5.  

They include the following: ACASA MY HOME by Radu Ciorniciuc (2020, Romania, Finland, Germany), AURORA by Miia Tervo (2019, Finland); O QUE ARDE by Oliver Laxe (2019, Spain, France, Luxembourg); I DOULIA TIS by Nikos Labôt (2018, Greece, France, Serbia); NOS BATAILLES by Guillaume Senez (2018, Belgium, France); LES PARFUMS by Gregory Magne (2019, France); and DAS VORSPIEL by Ina Weisse (2019, Germany, France).

Webinars on Bicycle Tourism, Road Safety/Etiquette, Bike-Friendliness and People-Centred Architecture. On May 21, the Danish Embassy and Intramuros Administration will present webinars on bicycle tourism and bike-friendliness. 

The Royal Netherlands Embassy and Makati Business Club will conduct a webinar on “Starter Sessions: Your Guide To Be A Bike Friendly Business”  with Chris Bruntlett, marketing and communications manager of the Dutch Cycling Embassy as a speaker.

This webinar aims to help Philippine businesses learn from Dutch best practices on biking, so that they may localize it here. Topics include  the business benefits of biking, examples of bike-friendly services and facilities provided by businesses in the Netherlands and tips, advice, and best practices.

Apart from these events, there will also be quiz competitions and other webinars on European literary and artistic masters. For more information, visit the European Union in the Philippines Facebook page.

Banner Photo by Christian Lue on Unsplash

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