EU stages online cultural festival ‘Viva Europa 2020’ 

MANILA, Philippines — The European Union (EU) will stage “Viva Europea 2020,” an series of online cultural shows centered on a  European Film Festival that runs from May 25 to June 6, amid the coronavirus disease pandemic.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Thomas Wiersing, chargé d’affaires of the EU Delegation Philippines, announced that the show would showcase “the best of European music, arts and crafts, literature, films, and astronomy.”

The festival will feature 11 multi-awarded full films and eight short films.

“The films are FREE and subtitled in English and will remain until 18 June. Sign into Festival Scope to receive your FREE passes. This EU initiative keeps in mind your safety during this pandemic,” read the statement.

“Viva Europa” also features a Euro-Pinoy Concert that will be live-streamed at the EU in the Philippines’ Facebook page on May 29 at 8 p.m.

Joining the concert are Tomáš Sýkora from Czechia; violinists Jeanette Kamphuis and Stefan Randehed, a brother and sister team from Sweden; flamenco guitarist Alex Alcaraz Fernandez from Spain; and DJ Bhutta B from the Philippines.

The concert will be hosted by  Sanya Smith, daughter of the late Filipino rock icon Joey “Pepe” Smith.

The poetry will also present an online poetry recital that will air on May 30 at 5 p.m. at the EU in the Philippines Facebook page.

Diplomats and the European community from diplomatic missions from Czechia, France,  Hungary, Italy, Poland, Spain and the EU Delegation will recite poetry that promotes solidarity, hope, and collaboration.

Also joining the recital are multi-awarded Filipino poets Alma Anonas Carpio and Mookie Lacuesta and young poets from the Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika at Anyo (LIRA).

The festival will also have a program for children called “Lakbayin Natin ang EU” or “Journey to the EU,” featuring films that provide virtual tours of EU member states, with English subtitles.

This will be streamed at the EU in the Philippines Facebook page on June  5 at 10:30 a.m.

The children’s program will be facilitated by the embassies of Czechia, France, Italy, and Poland.

As festival organizers describe it, the program will be “a cacophony and a cocktail of the best of arts and crafts, films, puppetry together with introductions and doodles’ session with noted television personality and artist Robert Alejandro.”

The EU Delegation will also feature a program called “Ode to the Stars and to the Moon,,” which focuses on stargazing and moon gazing on  June 6 at 8 p.m.

The program will be facilitated by astronomer Giovanni Seritella and Professor Jun Cajigal and other members of the Philippine Astronomical Society.

/atm