04 April 2014 - Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Xavier Bettel were among the guests of the Philippine booth at the 31st Festival des migrations, des cultures et de la citoyenneté (31st Festival of Migration, Culture and Citizenship) of the Comité de Liaisons des Associations d’Étrangers held from March 14 to 16 at the Lux Expo in Luxembourg.
The Prime Minister was Guest of Honor during the Official Opening Ceremony of the Festival on March 15. He emphasized tolerance and understanding during his much-applauded speech. He then proceeded to visit some of the booths, including that of the Philippines.
The Prime Minister stayed for a couple of minutes and even gamely obliged for some photos. Embassy personnel who were manning the booth showed their delight and appreciation of the visit by gifting him with fresh Philippine mangoes.
This is the first time that the Philippines participated at the Luxembourg Migration Festival. The Philippine booth promoted tourist destinations like Palawan, Boracay, Iloilo, Davao and the Cordilleras. It also highlighted Don Papa, a Philippine rum, and fresh Philippine mangoes. Booth visitors were treated with Don Papa rum mixed with Philippine mango juice. The mango juice paved the way to the introduction of fresh Philippine mangoes, prominently displayed at the Philippine booth. “It’s more fun in the Philippines” bookmarks werelikewise distributed to Festival guests.
Visitors of the Philippine booth included couples and families who have already visited the Philippines many years back, a young IT businessman who will fly to the Philippines to try set-up an IT firm, students who would like to visit the Philippines, and members of the Filipino community in Luxembourg.
The Festival featured booths of 400 ‘migrant’ organizations in Luxembourg including the International Red Cross and the European Migration Network. The 34,000 m² structure received more than 10,000 guests per day – all eager to see the many displays of crafts and food; to see the various performances like the Russian ballet, African dancing, Spanish flamenco and the Brazilian carnival dance; and to hear music, poetry and debates on pertinent issues. There were also storytelling, workshops and games for children.
The three-day festival is a one-stop shop for finding out more about all the nationalities and cultures that make Luxembourg what it is today. The population of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is made up of over 40% foreigners of 150 different nationalities.
“Culture and popular practices are at the very heart of this festival. But our event covers much more than the arts, literature and popular culture; it allows visitors to discover and exchange food, music, languages and ideas,” Festival Director Franco Barilozzi said. END