PH Embassy in France Independence Day Celebration Features Macario Vitalis
PARIS 03 June 2022 – The Philippine Embassy in France celebrated the 124th Anniversary of Philippine Independence, the 75th Anniversary of the Philippines-France Relations and the closure of the exhibit “Macario Vitalis, Un Peintre Philippin en France (a Filipino Painter in France) at the Maison de Lorilleux in the Paris suburb of Puteaux on 01 June 2022.
The event was co-hosted by the City of Puteaux, a western suburb that forms part of the La Defense business district of Paris. Mayor Joëlle Ceccaldi-Raynaud led the Puteaux team in the event.
In her message, Philippine Ambassador to France Junever M. Mahilum-West cited Macario Vitalis as a prime example of what people-to-people exchanges could achieve in strengthening bilateral relations.
The Ambassador also noted that, like Vitalis, Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal was also attracted to France, as Rizal was “inspired by the ideals of the French revolution during his visits from 1883 to 1891” in his two novels that spurred Filipinos to secure their own freedom.
Mayor Ceccaldi-Raynaud commended the “wonderful partnership between the Embassy and the City of Puteaux” and gave tribute to the talent of Vitalis whose work is receiving increasing recognition among art cognoscenti. Vitalis’ art was honed when he settled in Puteaux then later Plestin-les-Greves in Brittany, imbibing cubist, impressionist and pointillist influences.
After the messages, guests were serenaded in French, English and Filipino. The group is composed of seasoned and awarded Filipino performers and musicians who are currently based in France. Guests also sampled Filipino delicacies seamlessly incorporated into more standard French hors d'oeuvres.
The event was held outside the Maison Lorilleux where the Vitalis exhibit will be open until 05 June 2022. END
Philippine Ambassador to France Junever M. Mahilum-West (second from left) and Mayor Joëlle Ceccaldi-Raynaud (third from left) and Ms. Christine Thoraillier, curator of the Macario Vitalis exhibit with guests. (photo courtesy of Jan Levent)
Philippine Ambassador to France Junever M. Mahilum-West and Mayor Joëlle Ceccaldi-Raynaud during the singing of the French National Anthem. (photo courtesy of Jan Levent)
Philippine Ambassador Junever M. Mahilum-West (second from left) and Mayor Joëlle Ceccaldi-Raynaud (third from left) and Ms. Christine Thoraillier, curator of the Macario Vitalis exhibit with guests. (photo courtesy of Jan Levent)
Performers with Ambassador Mahilum-West (4th from left), from left to right: autodidact musician, Paulo Arson; award-winning classical guitarist Franco Maigue; violinist of the Ransom Collective, Muri; seasoned international performers Charley Magalit and Dennis Astorga. (photo courtesy of Jan Levent)
For more information, visit https://www.parispe.dfa.gov.ph, http://www.facebook.com/PHinFrance, https://twitter.com/PHinFrance or https://www.instagram.com/phinfrance/.