The annual Viva Europa cultural events are something that many Filipinos look forward to. Pinoys being a song and music lovers have been enjoying the shows presented during this much-awaited celebration of Europe and Philippines friendship and collaboration over the years through arts and culture, music and dance, acclaimed movies, and a lot more.

Needless to say, even one of the great ancient philosophers Plato cited the importance of music in our lives when he said, ”Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything”.

This powerful and beautiful quote while spoken in eons ago remains relevant even to this very day especially as the whole world is fighting this coronavirus pandemic and as the Viva Europa 2020 holds its virtual cultural events.

Living up to the true to the spirit of solidarity which inspired the creation of Europe, the EU Delegation to the Philippines in collaboration with the Embassies of Czech Republic and Germany, have put together the “Euro-Pinoy Virtual Concert 2020” on 29 May at 8pm to be streamed at the EU Delegation to the Philippines FB and Twitch.tv/Europinoy.       

Feel the passion, the fire, the energy and warmth of European music, and also the Filipino sounds and beat!

The Euro-Pinoy Concert presents a powerful combination of artists and musicians: 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 (Philippines), daughter of the legendary rocker Pepe Smith.   

Tomáš Sýkora 

Tomáš Sýkora is a Czech composer, pianist, producer, arranger and teacher. As a composer, Tomáš focuses mostly on contemporary classical and jazz music. His compositions have already been performed by several Czech symphonic orchestras, big bands and other ensembles (Philharmonic of Olomouc city, Philharmonic of Pilsen, Prague Wind Quintet, Pavel Bořkovec string quartet, Concept Art Orchestra, Bo Big band, etc.) and famous soloists (Karel Dohnal, Jan Keller, Zdeňka M. Košnarová, Ilya Blackwedge). He has been a producer, arranger, band leader and pianist of female vocalist Lena Yellow.

He has composed several music pieces for documentary movies and theatre. He studied at the Conservatory of Jaroslav Ježek in Prague (Composition, Piano) and got his Masters Degree at the Music Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (Composition).

Brother and Sister Tandem Jeanette Kamphuis and Stefan Rendehed

Jeanette is a multi-talented artist as she is a visual artist and a violinist.  Having participated in the first edition of Euro-Pinoy Concert in 2018, Jeanette has a strong passion for culture and the arts.  She said that “Where the word ends, the music starts”. To truly develop deep emotional art – whatever your medium – music, visual art, or movies – you enter another world and you forget the time …you just create. I create the best when I do it for someone”.

She has a roster of awards as a violinist and artist and just recently was nominated as Noble Queen of the Universe of Sweden and was named as Noble Queen representing Sweden. She was also named as an outstanding international visual artist of the year (Pamana Awards USA).  She had a number of art exhibitions either as a solo artist or together with a group of artists.

Jeanette’s brother Stefan Rendehed is a scientist and a violinist at the same time.  He joined in last year’s “Hemispheres Talk on Music”, another initiative of the EU Delegation to the Philippines and the University of Sto Tomas.

DJ Bruder

German DJ Bruder is the music manager of Manila Nightclub XX XX. He enjoys his being a DJ and he plays music ranging from electronic, downtempo, psych, world music, experimental & more.

Euro-Pinoy Concert is part of Viva Europa 2020.

Viva Europa is an outcome of fruitful cooperation between the EU Delegation to the Philippines and the Embassies of Czech Republic or Czechia, France, Germany, 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.

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/