MANILA, Philippines — The European Union Delegation to the Philippines is set to celebrate its annual cultural festival “Lakbayin Natin ang EU” with a series of online cultural events that aim to promote friendship and partnership among Filipino children.
The festival, which will focus on the theme “Children for Friendship,” will be live-streamed at the EU in the Philippines’ Facebook page on May 16 at 10 am.
As part of the ongoing “Viva Europa 2021” celebrations, which aims to strengthen European-Filipino ties, the event will showcase a visual tapestry of European culture and arts, crafts, songs, poetry, and storytelling from the Embassies of Czech Republic, Germany, France, Austria, Poland, and the Philippine-Italian Association.
“Since 2008, the EU Delegation has been providing an opportunity for Filipino children to learn European songs, games, stories, music and arts and crafts,” said EU Ambassador Luc Véron in a statement on Thursday.
“Together with the EU member states’ embassies and cultural institutes, the Delegation has ensured to create a unique and enjoyable cultural experience for these children,” Véron added.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the EU Delegation has decided to go digital once again in celebrating the “Lakbayin Natin ang EU” festival to ensure the safety of the children and their families.
Among the lineup of exciting and unique events are:
• The Czech Embassy’s poetry reading titled “Štěstí” or Fortune by Adolf Heyduk which will be performed both in Czech and in English by Dora Šedivá, daughter of Czech Ambassador Jana Šedivá, and Marika Štěpková, daughter of Czech Deputy Ambassador Jana Peterková.
• A video presentation by German grade schoolers, headed by their teacher Mr. Florian Simmelbauer, which will highlight comparison between Germany and Philippines in terms of weather, clothing, animals, and landmarks.
• A performance by Yumi, a fourteen-year-old soprano and champion of the World for Opera and the Junior Division of the 2019 World Championship of Performing Arts (WCOPA).
Yumi — who is also the host of Musikwela Kids TV, an online educational show for kids, parents, and educators that promote Filipino culture and values — will perform Georges Bizet’s L’amour and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Ode to Joy
• A storytelling and nursery rhyme performance by the Philippine-Italian Association (PIA) in celebration of the 140th anniversary of the first appearance of Pinocchio on the weekly children magazine “Il Giornale Dei Ragazzi.”
The storytelling of “Ang Pangako ni Pinocchio” that is based on the book “Pinocchio: The Tale of a Puppet” by Collodi and illustrated by Alice Carsey, will be narrated by Ate Melai, Kuya Tom, and Kuya James—the Kwuentistas from the National Library of the Philippines.
Meanwhile, three Italian students from the course Italian Language for Children will share a fun filastrocca sull’amicizia or nursery rhyme on friendship by Italian writer Gianni Rodari – who is considered as one of the most prominent children’s literature writers in Italy.
• A country Tour by the Austrian Embassy where kids will be taken around Austria to learn more about its rich culture, famous personalities, and captivating landmarks.
The audience will also be taught the translation and pronunciation of common Filipino words and phrases in German, the official language of Austria. Madeleine Mitchelle Diolanda and Darline Spielhofer of the Austrian Embassy will coach the children.
• Representatives from the Polish Embassy headed by its Chargé d’Affaires, Mr. Jarosław Szczepankiewicz, will meanwhile recite the “Lokomotywa” or Locomotive by Polish poet Julian Tuwim.
According to the EU Delegation, Ambassador Szczepankiewicz and his team specially shot this activity in Dagupan City where they had an old train displayed in front of the city museum as background.
“In 1939, the Locomotive, along with two other poems namely ‘The Turnip’ and ‘The Bird’s Broadcast’, were published in a single book generally titled ‘Locomotive.’ It commissioned illustrations from Polish illustration duo Jan Le Witt and George Him,” the EU delegation detailed.
Samantha Belwa of Teens for Unity PH will also join the festival to teach the art of creating friendship bracelets.
“This craft-making activity will help children become more creative and resourceful and be filled with hope as they look forward to the day when they can personally hand over their customized bracelets to their friends and playmates,” the diplomatic mission explained.
Winning artworks from the Lakbayin Natin Ang EU Art Contest will likewise be displayed during the event.
“Embodying the general theme ‘Children for Friendship,’ Filipino preschool to middle school students were asked to express the meaning of friendship through art and how they can promote it between Filipinos and Europeans,” the EU Delegation said.