And the summer begins, thus the Viva Europa, the European Union’s cultural showcase is on!

From May 25 until 6 June, Filipinos will get the latest cultural treat online as Viva Europa now comes into the comforts of your homes at the flick of your fingertips amidst this COVID19 situation. 

Mr. Thomas Wiersing, Chargé d’ Affaires, a.i., EU Delegation to the Philippines said that Viva Europa 2020 aims to showcase the best of European music, arts and crafts, literature, films, and astronomy.

Every year, the EU Delegation presents various theme during Viva Europa festival which is well attended and participated by different EU member states. This year, because of COVID19, the first EUFFestival will be available online with 11 European multi-awarded full and 8 short films to the Filipino audience.  The films are FREE and subtitled in English and will remain until 18 June. This EU initiative keeps in mind your safety during this pandemic.

And due to insistent public demand, Euro-Pinoy Concert is back! Get ready to jam and to beat the heat and join jazz artist Tomáš Sýkora  (Czechia)  violinists Jeanette Kamphuis and Stefan Randehed (brother and sister team,  Sweden), flamenco guitarist Alex  Fernandez (Spain), DJ Bhutta B (Philippines) with host Sanya Smith, daughter of the legendary rocker Pepe Smith.

The set date is on May 29 at 8pm to be live-streamed at the EU in the Philippines FB page and in Twitch.com.

Lovers of poetry are also in for a pleasant literary recital on 30 May at 5pm. Diplomats and the European community from diplomatic missions from Czechia, France,  Hungary, Italy, Poland, Spain and the EU Delegation will read carefully-selected poems that convey messages of solidarity, hope, collaboration to Filipino audiences. The poetry recital (to be livestreamed at EU in the Philippines FB)  will not be complete without the participation of multi-awarded and renowned poets Alma  Anonas Carpio and Mookie Lacuesta together with two young poets from LIRA or  Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika at Anyo.

Children always have a special spot in the EU family

“Lakbayin Natin Ang EU” or “Journey to the EU” will be held virtually for the first time. French children’s films with English subtitles will be made available for Filipino children this early June. The children’s festival proper will be held on 5 June at 10:30 a.m. also live-streamed at the EU in the Philippines. 

Embassies of Czechia or the Czech Republic, France, Italy, Poland together with the EU Delegation have prepared a cacophony and a cocktail of the best of arts and crafts, films, puppetry together with introductions and doodles’ session with noted television personality and artist Robert Alejandro. 

As the EU is symbolized by the 12 stars to connote unity, harmony, and solidarity among the peoples of Europe, the EU Delegation conducts once again its stargazing and moon gazing event dubbed “Ode to the Stars and to the Moon” on 6 June at 8 pm.

Here is your chance to learn more about the immense power behind the stars and the moon from astronomers Giovanni Seritella, an astronomer on the side and program manager, EU Delegation to the Philippines; Professor Jun Cajigal and members of the Philippine Astronomical Society.  This astronomical event is inspired by the ongoing dialogues between the European Union and the Philippines through the Copernicus Programme. Copernicus is the EU’s earth observation tool that draws on a large number of space and on-site or local measurement systems. 

VIVA EUROPA 2020 PRESENTORS

Viva Europa 2020 is the outcome of fruitful cooperation between the EU Delegation to the Philippines and the Embassies of Czech Republic or Czechia, France, Hungary, Italy through the Philippine – Italian Association, Poland, Spain, and Instituto Cervantes, Alliance Francaise de Manille and the National  Library of the Philippines.

Updates shall be uploaded in the FB, IG and Twitter accounts of the EU Delegation to the Philippines.

For those who would like to watch the VIVA Europa 2020, you may sign at Festival Scope to receive your FREE passes.

Read related story: https://thephilbiznews.com/viva-europa-2019-lines-up-events-that-take-europe-to-pinoy-hearts/

While there are many other activities that the Viva Europa 2019 scheduled such as exhibitions, film showing, stargazing and bike tours to name a few, His Excellency EU Ambassador Franz Jessen said that these activities will continue to strengthen  the bilateral relations between European Union state members and the Philippines.

Furthermore, Amb. Jessen also noted that Viva Europa activities would also pave way for the Filipinos to learn and understand the European arts and culture which remain vibrant and inspiring for so many centuries.

The “Viva Europa” is spearheaded by the EU Delegation to the Philippines, and also by other members of  the embassies in the Philippines from Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Romania, Spain, Swedenand United Kingdom.

Alliance Francaise, the British Council, the Goethe-Institut, Instituto Cervantes, the Philippine-Italian Association and Museo Pambata also support Viva Europa 2019.

Artists who will take part of the EuroPinoy Concerts are Czech Guitarist Lukáš Sommer, DJ Badkiss from Germany, Flamenco guitarist Alex Alcaraz of Spain, and Filipino percussionist Jean Paul Zialcita.

When asked why EuroPinoy concert is always one of the major activities of Viva Europa’s annual celebration, EU Amb. Jessen told to THEPHILBIZNEWS, “Music is the language of the soul and this concert tries to bridge the EU and the Philippines together”.

For other related activities on Viva Europa that THEPHILBIZNEWS covers, visit The Philippine Business and News Page at https://www.facebook.com/thephilbiznews/

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Viva Europa is a series of cultural events within the months of April-June highlighting European culture and arts. It aims to highlight European culture, promoting socio-cultural dialogue and awareness, and most importantly, experiencing a unique cultural journey. Viva Europa is also a collaborative effort of the EU Delegation in the Philippines and its member-states, including the European cultural institutes in Manila.

On 7 May, the second installment of the “Euro-Pinoy Concert” will be held at The Ruins in Poblacion, Makati City. As the EU “goes techno” for Viva Europa 2019, the German Embassy Manila joins the Euro-Pinoy Concert with a well-known DJ, who is half-German and half-Filipina. DJ Badkiss is one of the leading female DJs in Manila, known for her edgy look and mesmerizing music. Her roots in funk, soul and R’n’B allow her to conjure a unique mix of flavors from different music genres that keeps everyone dancing to the beat all night. She has a rock solid reputation for a quality music selection that transcends genres, trends and generations which also allowed her to share her outstanding talent with the world – from going on a nationwide tour with Philippine telco giant, Globe, to playing launches and in-store parties as resident DJ for Louis Vuitton. DJ Badkiss performs in different clubs in Manila including Time, Club XX XX (20/20), Chotto Matte, Café Curieux and The Belle and Dragon.

The German Embassy Manila is also pleased to be part of “Lakbayin Natin ang EU” for the third consecutive year. This event, organized in cooperation with Museo Pambata for eleven years and counting, to be held on 23 May, is a children’s festival designed for less privileged children who come from children centers or NGOs around Metro Manila. It serves as an opportunity for the children to learn about the European Union and its member-states through creative activities including games, country presentations, storytelling and more. This year, the children’s festival will highlight the theme of “environment”. The German Embassy Manila hopes to share ideas about Germany’s renewable energy and environment policy with the children in an engaging and interesting manner. 

Other joint EU activities supported by the German Embassy Manila include the EU’s “Schuman Cup”, a friendly football match that seeks to expose children from disadvantaged communities to the sport and promote camaraderie and teamwork. The German Embassy Manila is pleased to support “Musica FEUropa 2019”, the annual choral competition organized by the Far Eastern University in cooperation with the EU Delegation and member-states. Running on its 11th year as well, the Musica FEUropa is open to choral groups around the country and seeks to engage these groups in performing both local and European songs as a testament to cultural exchange.

For more information and updates from the German Embassy Manila, visit and follow at www.facebook.com/germanembassymanila and www.instagram.com/germaninphl

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]]> https://thephilbiznews.com/2019/04/15/germany-joins-viva-europa-2019/feed/ 0 https://thephilbiznews.com/2019/04/11/viva-europa-2019-lines-up-events-that-take-europe-to-pinoy-hearts/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=viva-europa-2019-lines-up-events-that-take-europe-to-pinoy-hearts https://thephilbiznews.com/2019/04/11/viva-europa-2019-lines-up-events-that-take-europe-to-pinoy-hearts/#respond Thu, 11 Apr 2019 06:17:59 +0000 https://thephilbiznews.com/?p=4078 By Monsi A. Serrano

The European Union (EU) rolled out another exciting set of summer cultural activities that would certainly pave way for a deeper understanding and appreciation by Filipinos of European culture and heritage.

His Excellency EU Ambassador Franz Jessen graced the launching of “Viva Europa 2019” and said that unlike the past years’ activities, this time, the cultural events will bring Europe closer to the hearts of Filipinos.

Among the activities lined up for Viva Europa are exhibitions, film showing, concerts staged at different venues, and bike tours in Bohol.

These activities are notably light, veering away from the usually spirited discussions on politics, economy, and global issues as championed by the EU.

But the EU ambassador believes this year’s Viva Europa features activities very significant to learning and understanding European arts and culture – a wellspring that has never ran dry for centuries.

Amb. Jessen said these activities of the EU’s cultural diplomacy programme play a significant role in enhancing the bilateral relations between European Union state members and the Philippines.

“Viva Europa” is organized by the EU Delegation to the Philippines, and the members of  the embassies of Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Romania, Spain, Sweden and United Kingdom.

Other groups like Alliance Francaise, the British Council, the Goethe-Institut, Instituto Cervantes, the Philippine-Italian Association and Museo Pambata also support Viva Europa 2019.

Also included in the line-up is Viva Europa’s first-ever stargazing activity and a session on stars and constellations for the youth in line with its theme “EU Goes Techno” in cooperation with the Manila Astronomical Society.

Other educational activities lined up are talks about environmental protection, children’s rights, music and the arts.

A football festival is also scheduled on May 4, spearheaded by the Schuman Cup Football at Ayala Alabang to teach the less-privileged children football – the European way. Another exciting highlight is the friendly game between European diplomats versus Filipino professional players.

“Euro-Pinoy Concert” will bring to the stage various artists from Germany, Czech Republic, Spain and the Philippines, featuring half-German, half-Filipina DJ Marie Badkiss, renowned Czech composer Lukas Sommer, Spanish flamenco guitarist Alex Alcaraz, Filipino percussionist Jean Paul Zialcita, will perform perform at The Ruins of Poblacion in Makati City on May 7.

Meanwhile, the Far Eastern University will hold a nationwide choir competition dubbed as “Musika FEUropa” on May 25-26 at the FEU Auditorium. The contest offers a grand prize of ₱100,000 and a trophy. Expected to take part in the competition are 15 choirs, including one from Cebu.

Martin Lopez, director of Far Eastern University President’s Committee on Culture, said the Musica FEUropa was created to celebrate thru choral music the EU month and the Filipinas Heritage month.

“The commissioned piece by Saunder Choi is the one whose mission is to foster unity, peace and harmony among different nations. Apart from this, the competition also prepares Filipino choirs for competitions in Europe which they will hopefully join and win,” the FEU official said.

Amb. Jessen told the THEPHILBIZNEWS that “every year, we at the EU Embassy would like to have a lot more exciting activities that would enhance camaraderie and appreciation of diverse EU cultures that the Filipinos will learn to love and experience right here in the Philippines.”