Philippine Embassy Joins Independence Day Celebrations in Vestland, Norway

Ambassador Enrico Fos addressing the 400-strong participants of the Cultural and Family Day in Bergen

OSLO 05 July 2024 – Around 400 Filipinos and their Norwegian friends came together for the Cultural and Family Day held on 03 July 2024 at the Vannkanten Kultursalen in Bergen, Norway.

Special guests during the event were Bergen Deputy Mayor for Education Daniel Hagglund, who is half Filipino and whose father is from Mindanao, and Bergen Kommune Director for Culture, Vincent Mrimba.

In his remarks, Ambassador Enrico T. Fos noted the similarities in the history of the Philippines and Norway in their fight for true independence. Like the Philippines when it was ceded by Spain to the United States, Norway was ceded to Sweden. The signing of the constitution on 17 May 1814 marked Norway´s national day although it did not achieve full independence until 1905 when the union with Sweden was dissolved.

Organized by the Philippine and International Culture Organization in Norway (PICON) headed by Josh David, the Cultural and Family Gathering is the eight such event of the Filipino community in cooperation with the Embassy in commemoration of the 126th Philippine Independence Day and was held with the support of Our Lady of Fatima Church (OLOF), Jesus is Lord (JIL), CREDO, Caritas and several other organizations in Vestland county.

The event featured cultural dances, Filipino music  performed by local talents, games for children and adults, and Filipino food. END

From left to right: Ms. Aiko Egeland from Caritas Bergen, Mr. Josh David from PICON, Mr. Vincent Mrimba, Bergen Kommune Director for Culture, Mrs. Myla Fos, Ambassador Enrico Fos, and Bergen Deputy Mayor for Education Daniel Hagglund, who is half Filipino.

From left to right: Ms. Luzviminda “Shakira” Villanueva Fredriksen of Luzviminda Association, Bergen Kommune officials Mr. Vincent Mrimba and Mr. Daniel Hagglund, Ambassador Enrico Fos, Mrs. Myla Fos, Mr. Josh David, Ms. Kai Montecillo Sabarre and Ms. Aiko Egeland of Caritas Bergen.

For more information, visit https://www.oslope.dfa.gov.ph,  https://www.facebook.com/PHinNorway/ or https://www.instagram.com/phinnorway/.