PHL Embassy in Vienna Launches the Commemorative Book “Philippines-Austria Relations: 500 Years”
29 June 2017 VIENNA — The Philippine Embassy in Austria launched a commemorative book, “Philippines-Austria Relations: 500 years” at the Palais Hansen Kempinski in Vienna on June 19, during the Embassy’s National Day Reception. The date also coincides with the 156th birth anniversary of Philippine hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal
In her opening remarks, Ambassador Collinson stated that while the Philippine quest for independence has been achieved, the “mission to keep the integrity of this independence from new forms of threats such as drugs, poverty, and terrorism continues with renewed vigor under President Rodrigo Duterte.”
“Our national hero, Jose Rizal, was born on this day,” Ambassador Collinson recalled. “One of Rizal’s best friends was an Austrian subject named Ferdinand Blumentritt who hailed from what was then the Bohemian Crownland of Leitmeritz. Sadly, only very few Austrians know of this friendship that impacted positively on the struggle for Philippine independence, let alone ever heard of Ferdinand Blumentritt.”
“In part, because of this lack of awareness about the ties that bind our countries, the Philippines Embassy here and the Austrian Embassy in the Philippines, with the support of the Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign External Affairs of Austria agreed to come up with a commemorative book chronicling 500 years of Philippines-Austria relations.”
In response, Ambassador Dr. Teresa Indjein, Director General for Cultural Policy at the Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration, and Foreign External Affairs, also said: “Mrs. Ambassador, a great compliment goes to you for having achieved a lasting milestone for our bilateral relations, a truly meaningful one: a comprehensive, fascinating book! It is amazing that you took the trouble to personally oversee the publication of this very interesting book highlighting some important elements of our relations. I am convinced that this book and the celebrations “70 Years Austria Philippines” will contribute to the development and strengthening of the friendship between Austria and the Philippines.”
Among Ambassador Collinson’s co-authors are Ambassador Wilhelm Donko who was posted in Manila from 2009-2013 and Magister Ruth Steiner whose father was the first Austrian Honorary Consul General in the Philippines. She also acknowledged other co-authors present: Dr. Ricardo Trota Jose, professor at the University of the Philippines and specialist on military and diplomatic history; Dr. Johann Stockinger of the Institute of Social Anthropology; Dr. Christine Kanzler who works on documentation and research on exile studies; Ms. Elena Collnson, a senior researcher and project officer at the Austria-China Relations Institute at the University of Technology and Sydney; as well Nicolas Maximillian Oster, who also translated the book. She also paid tribute to Prof. Rudolf Agstner, who passed away before the book was published.
The event was attended by members of the diplomatic corps, federal government officials, senior officials of the United Nations and other international organizations in Vienna, academics, business community and leaders of the Filipino community in Austria.
For more information, visit www.viennape.dfa.gov.ph/ www.philippine-embassy.at. END
Ambassador Maria Zeneida Angara Collinson raises a toast to stronger Philippine-Austrian relations during the launch of the commemorative book “Philippines-Austria Relations: 500 Years”. She is joined by Ambassador Dr. Teresa Indjein of the Austrian Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration, and Foreign External Affairs (BMEIA). Also in the photo are co-authors (L – R) Prof. Dr. Ricardo Jose, Mag. Ruth Steiner, Ambassador Wilhelm Donko, Ms. Christine Kanzler, and Ms. Elena Collinson.