PHL Embassy in Berne Holds ASEAN Festival in Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN
Ambassador Joselito A. Jimeno and Ambassador Johannes Matyassy delivering their speeches
27 September 2017 BERNE - The newly-formed ASEAN Committee in Berne (ACB) held an ASEAN Festival in Waisenhauplatz, in the heart of Swiss capital. The festival was the culminating activity under the Philippine chairmanship of the ACB to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN.
The long-day event was opened by the Swiss Military Band playing a mix repertoire of modern classic pieces. It was then followed by speeches from Philippine Ambassador to Switzerland Joselito A. Jimeno, as chairman of the ACB, and a reply from Ambassador Johannes Matyassy, Head of the Asia Pacific Division of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, on behalf of the Swiss government.
“Today is all about celebrations – as we mark our 50th birthday as a community, we, in ASEAN, wish to celebrate with our old and newfound friends, our being a family amidst our diversity,” opened Philippine Ambassador to Switzerland Joselito A. Jimeno, welcoming members of the Diplomatic community and other guests to the event.
Ambassador Jimeno added, “ASEAN has many faces. Our region embodies an interesting mix of ancient culture and progressive outlook. This diverse but complementary background is what makes ASEAN unique.”
Ambassador Johannes Matyassy, in his reply, spoke about the growing importance of ASEAN in the world today and the deepening bilateral relations between ASEAN and Switzerland. Switzerland also celebrates this year its 1st-Year Anniversary as ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner.
The festival, which aimed to promote awareness of ASEAN in Switzerland, showcased cultural performances featuring songs, traditional dances, martial arts from the region. There were also thirty (30) stalls presenting the best of ASEAN cuisines and delicacies, native products, and a lot more. An ASEAN tent was also installed featuring visual tours of the countries that comprise the ASEAN region. The festival was the first ever ASEAN festival of its kind held in Switzerland. END
For more information, visit www.bernepe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinSwitzerland.
ASEAN Representatives to Switzerland and Ambassador Matyassy during the Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
