“Colors of Freedom” Flag Exhibit Highlights PH Consulate General in Frankfurt 2020 PH Independence Day Celebration
FRANKFURT 15 June 2020 – To commemorate the 122nd anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine independence with this year’s theme, “Kalayaan 2020: Tungo sa Bansang Malaya, Nagbabayanihan at Ligtas,” the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt held a flag-raising ceremony and the opening of the “Colors of Freedom: The Sun and Stars, Stories Behind the Philippine Flag” exhibition on 12 June 2020 at the Consulate premises. The simple affair was conducted in light of the prevailing coronavirus pandemic.
“During this unprecedented time, we honor not just the sacrifices of our heroes who fought with incredible courage to secure our nation’s freedom but also those working in the front lines, including our healthcare professionals, who put themselves in harm’s way during this coronavirus pandemic,” Philippine Consul General to Frankfurt Evelyn D. Austria-Garcia said during the event.
The exhibition materials, which were made by the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts (NCCA), featured five stations depicting the history, evolution and meaning of the color and emblems of the Philippine flag. The exhibit’s stations included the following: (1) Introduction: Colors of Freedom; (2) The Flag’s Beginnings; (3) In Search of the Original Flag; (4) The First National Flag; and (5) A Ban on the Flag. The activity was attended by the Consulate’s personnel and Department of Tourism Office in Frankfurt representatives. The exhibit will run until 30 June 2020.
Moreover, to coincide with the month-long National Day celebrations, the Consulate also launched an online initiative entitled, “BFF: Bakas Filipino Friday” which features historical documentary films being released each Friday of June on the Consulate’s website and Facebook page. The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP)-produced documentary films are the following: (1) “Emilio Jacinto: Utak ng Katipunan;” (2) “May Pag-asa Ang Bantayog ni Andres Bonifacio;” (3) “Jose Rizal: Sa Landas ng Paglaya;” and (4) “Kababaihan ng Rebolusyon.”
Other online Independence Day initiatives undertaken by the Consulate were the celebration of National Flag Days from 28 May to 12 June 2020 and online streaming of the Independence Day celebration in Manila, video message of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro R. Locsin, and OFW Frontliners Tribute Video. The Consulate will also launch several videos about Dr. Jose Rizal in commemoration of his birth anniversary on 19 June 2020.
The Consulate had planned a two-day Barrio Fiesta in Frankfurt this June, complete with a concert, cultural presentations, art exhibit, food fair, cooking demonstrations and an economic conference. However, the activity had to be cancelled to conform with measures put in place by German local authorities to contain the spread of COVID-19. END
For more information, visit https://frankfurtpcg.de/ or https://www.facebook.com/PHinFrankfurt/.
