The book Kaibigan – Přátelé Through The Years is a symbol of five decades of flourishing Czech-Philippine ties and the first of its kind
The Embassy of the Czech Republic launched the book on Czech-Philippine cultural and diplomatic relations—the first of its kind about the rich cultural and historical heritage shared between the Czech Republic and the Philippines—on May 17, 2023, at Raffles Makati. Led by H.E. Jana Šedivá, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the Philippines, the launch was graced by senior government officials, ambassadors, diplomats, and other partners of the Embassy.
In her opening remarks, Ambassador Šedivá expressed gratitude to both Filipino and Czech writers who shared their time and effort in “commemorating the long-standing friendship between our countries through a book project.” Ambassador Šedivá added that the book “invites us to relive the shared history between the Czech Republic and the Philippines and imagine our common future.”
Ambassador Jana Šedivá delivers her opening remarks.
Entitled “Kaibigan – Přátelé: Czech-Philippine Cultural and Diplomatic Dialogue”, the book is a collaboration among Czech and Filipino writers and scholars who wrote extensively on Czech-Philippine relations. It was co-edited by Dr. Ambeth Ocampo, historian and professor at Ateneo de Manila University; Mr. Ige Ramos, award-winning book designer; and Mr. Dalibor Mička, Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of the Czech Republic.
One of the editors of the book, Dr. Ocampo, notes that it was an exciting endeavor to work on the book project at the height of the pandemic and hopes that Czechs and Filipinos “will remember and celebrate the friendship between the Czech Republic and the Philippines.”
Editors of the book, Dr. Ambeth Ocampo and Mr. Dalibor Mička, share their respective messages on the significance of the book in strengthening bilateral ties between the Czech Republic and the Philippines.
Meanwhile, in his closing remarks, Mr. Mička thanked the Filipino writers for their invaluable contribution to this initiative and to Ambassador Šedivá for making the book project possible.
A valuable addition to the rich repository of cultural publications of the Embassy, the book chronicles the long-standing relationship between the Czech Republic and the Philippines—from the arrival of Jesuit missionary and taxonomist Georg Josef Kamel to the lifelong friendship between Ferdinand Blumentritt and Jose Rizal that is further cultivated and reflected in strong people-to-people ties between the two countries.
The launch coincided with the 50th year anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, which is slated in October this year.