Furthering PH-CZ Relations Through Art And Friendship
Left photo: Ambassador Eduardo Martin R. Meñez (right) opens the Courage Exhibit with the artist Atty. Elaine Antonio Bordeaux ( left) and Knights of Rizal member and Czech Republic Senator Mgr. Ladislav Chlupáč (center) at the Litomerice Castle on 05 October 2024
Right photo : Ms. Noelle Esperanza Sy-Quia the great-grandniece of José Rizal and her family, with the bust of a “smiling” Rizal, the highlight of the Courage exhibit which opened at the Litomerice Castle on 05 October 2024. The Courage Exhibition runs until 31 October 2024.
PRAGUE 22 October 2024 – A bronze bust of a “smiling” Dr. Jose Rizal takes center stage at the “Courage” Exhibit, a solo exhibition by Filipina-American sculptor Elaine Antonio Bordeaux at the Litoměřice Castle from 05 to 31 October 2024.
Organized by the Office of Mayor Radek Löwy of “Litoměřice in cooperation with the Philippine Embassy, the exhibit marks the closing of the yearlong celebration of the 50th year anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations between the Philippines and the Czech Republic from 05 October 2023 – 05 October 2024.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Eduardo Meñez reiterated the importance of the historical relations between the Czech Republic and the Philippines over the past half-century. Ambassador Meñez also cited the significance of holding the exhibit in Litoměřice which is the town where Professor Ferdinand Blumentritt taught and met Dr. Rizal in May 1887. The Rizal-Blumentritt friendship has long served as a symbol of cross-cultural and people-to-people friendship and solidarity between the Philippines and the Czech Republic, a relationship that subsists to present day with the increasing number of Filipinos living and working in the country.
The same was echoed by Deputy Mayor Jiří Adámek stating “it was the courage and friendship of José Rizal and Professor Ferdinand Blumentritt that transformed the friendship of our two nations. "
Guests during the event include Ms. Noelle Esperanza Sy-Quia, the great-grandniece of Jose Rizal and her family, Czech Republic Senator Ladislav Chlupáč (a Knights of Rizal member); Mr. Jiří Landa, former Mayor of Litomerice and Ms. Mischa Mokr, Director of Municipal Cultural Facilities of Litoměřice, members of the Las Damas de Rizal, and an Igorot cultural group which performed traditional dances, among others.
Anchored on the artist’s Filipino heritage, the Courage exhibition is comprised of bronze sculptures of personalities such as Jose Rizal, Mother Theresa, Nina Simone, Apo Whang-Od, and Magdalena Leones. It was Rizal’s reflections on the courage of the women of Malolos that inspired the artist, and made her decide to have this exhibit in Litomerice.
A Most Influential Filipina Woman in the World 2023 awardee, Atty. Elaine Antonio Bordeaux’s Courage Exhibition has been successfully exhibited in Colorado, Barcelona, Madrid and San Francisco. After the Czech Republic, the artist plans to exhibit her works in other parts of Europe.
Dovetailing the Courage Exhibition, a women’s forum “Courage to Lead: Our Story”, was also co-organized by the Philippine Embassy, in collaboration with the Dr. Jose Rizal Legacy International Foundation and the Las Damas de Rizal Czech Republic held at the Embassy premises on 08 October 2024.
Among the speakers for the forum were Atty. Elaine Antonio Bordeaux, Most Influential Filipina Woman in the World 2023 awardee; Ms. Polly Cortez, Most Influential Filipina Woman in the World awardee and Treasurer and Board member of the Dr. Jose Rizal Legacy International Foundation; c. Dr. Reysa Alenzuela, Head Librarian of the Oriental Studies of the Czech Academy of Sciences in Prague; Ms. Lourdes Genovese, member of the Filipino community in Prague and Ms. Mary Whilssy Hila, member of the Filipino community in Prague. The speakers discussed issues and personal reflections, ranging from art motivation to community development to education and cross–cultural challenges.
The event enabled the participants and speakers to share their journeys, exchanging valuable lessons on how courage can be key agents of change and a source of inspiration as they navigate through their individual narratives. END
From left: Mr. Jiří Landa, former Mayor of Litomerice; Ms. Marie Dětinska; Atty. Elaine Antonio Bordeaux( the artist); Knights of Rizal member and Czech Republic Senator Ladislav Chlupáč and Lady Rosa Delma Machackova of Las Damas de Rizal Czech Republic at the opening of the “Courage” Exhibit at the Litoměřice Castle on 05 October 2024.
Ambassador Eduardo R. Meñez, left, with Ms. Mischa Mokra, Director of the Municipal Cultural Facilities of Litoměřice at the opening of the “Courage” Exhibit at the Litoměřice Castle on 05 October 2024.
Ambassador Eduardo R. Meñez delivers his opening remarks at the opening of the “Courage” Exhibit at the Litoměřice Castle on 05 October 2024.
From left: Ms. Jana Váchová from the Office of Mayor Lowy of Litomerice; Ms. Polly Cortez; Atty.Elaine Antonio Bordeaux; Lady Rosa Delma Machackova and Lady Analyn Aszwora, President of Las Damas de Rizal Czech Republic at the opening of the “Courage” Exhibit at the Litoměřice Castle on 05 October 2024.
From left: Ms. Mischa Mokra, Director of the Municipal Cultural Facilities of Litoměřice; Deputy Mayor of Litomerice Jiří Adámek; Atty. Elaine Antonio Bordeaux and Ms. Polly Cortez at the opening of the “Courage” Exhibit at the Litoměřice Castle on 05 October 2024
The artist Atty. Elaine Antonio Bordeaux ( center) with Ambassador Eduardo R. Meñez and Ms. Noelle Esperanza Sy-Quia, the great-grandniece of Jose Rizal at the opening of the “Courage” Exhibit at the Litoměřice Castle on 05 October 2024
The Igorots of the Czech Republic shares their heritage through a performance at the opening of the “Courage” Exhibit at the Litoměřice Castle on 05 October 2024
Atty. Elaine Antonio Bordeaux tours the crowd and briefs the audience on her sculpture of Apo Whang-Od at the opening of the “Courage” Exhibit at the Litoměřice Castle on 05 October 2024
From L to R: Atty. Elaine Antonio Bordeaux, event speaker; Dr. Reysa Alenzuela, event speaker; Ms. Polly Cortez, event speaker; Minister and Consul General Indhira C.Bañares, Prague PE, Ambassador Eduardo R. Meñez, Madam Marisa Meñez; Ms.Lourdes Genovese, event speaker and Ms. Whilssy Hila, event speaker at the Courage to Lead: Our Story Women’s Forum held at the Embassy premises on 08 October 2024. .
Speakers and participants of the Courage to Lead: Our Story Women’s Forum held at the Embassy premises on 08 October 2024.
For more information, visit https://www.praguepe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinCzechRepublic/.