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The Closing of the Hamel Year: Hamel & Sanghon
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 With the performance of the long awaited opera "Hamel e Sanghon", the Hamel Year was closed in style. The opera was performed in the Grand Hall of Sejong Cultural Center, one of Korea's most prestigious theatres, and attracted an audience of ovber 10,000 people in five days.
Prior to the premiere on June 9, the Royal Netherlands Embassy hosted a reception which was attended by many people who have been involved in the opera or other events that have been realised during the Hamel Year.
In his speech Mr. Hendrik E.C. Koets, Charge d'Affaires a.i., extended his gratitude to all those people who have helped making the Hamel Year into a success and formally closed the Hamel Year.
Photo: Hamel and Sanghon |
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Dekoor Tour
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 From June 16 to 27 the Dutch student choir "Dekoor" from Utrecht has toured Korea. Starting off with an excellent performance for 2000 people at the grand theatre of Sejong Cultural Center in Seoul, the choir visited a.o. Deagu and Busan.
To welcome the choir to Korea, Mr. H.E.C. Koets, Charge d'Affaires of the Netherlands, offered a small though pleasant reception at his residence. Of course the choir treated the others guests by singing a few songs!
Photo: members of Dekoor listening as they are welcomed by Mr. Koets
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Dekoor tour
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 Photo: Mr. H.E.C. Koets receives a typical Dutch gift in return for his hospitality. |
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Joris Ivens: A Retrospective
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 On June 18 the first Joris Ivens retropective ever to be held in Korea was opened at Ilju Art House, Seoul.
The opening was attended mostely by people from the Korean (independent) film industry and other artistic fields.
Before Iven's last film "Une Histoire de Vent" was shown, both Mr. Byun Byung Joo, Director of the Ilju Scholarship and Culture Foundation, and Mr. Hendrik E.C. Koets, Charge d'Affaires of the Netherlands spoke a few words on the significance of Iven's work.
The retrospective proved to be very successful: all screenings were fully attended.
Photo: invitees enjoying a meal before the screening of the film.
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Desire: Dutch exhibition at Jeju National Museum
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In co-operation with the City of Gorinchem, Jeju National Museum is hosting an exhibition of the work of Johannes Van Vugt. Van Vugt is a painter who has made a whole collection of works related to hamel and Korea.
The opening was held on May 21 and was attended by several dignitaries including a delegation from the City of Gorinchem. Charge d'Affaires of the Netherlands, Mr. H.E.C. Koets, attended the opening on behalf of the Royal Netherlands Embassy.
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Honorary Citizenship of Seoul
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| On May 9, Mr. Rein Dunki Jacobs, general manager of Philips Automotive Lighting Korea and former Chairman of the Dutch Business Club in Korea, received from Seoul Mayor Lee Myung-bak the certificate of Honorary Citizenship of Seoul. The last Dutchman to receive this citizenship was Guus Hiddink. After the ceremony in front of City Hall, Mr. Dunki Jacobs was congratulated by, among others, Mr. Hendrik E.C. Koets, Charge d'Affairs of the Royal Netherlands Embassy and mr. Garry Pieters, Chairman of the DBCK. |
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Korea-Holland Animation Festival
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 On Tuesday May 4, Korea-Holland Animation Film Festival was opened at the Seoul Animation Center. The festival was opened by Mr. H.E.C. Koets, Charge d'Affaires of the Royal Netherlands Embassy, and was attended by several other VIPs such as Mr. Koenraad Rouvroy, the Belgian Ambassador and Mr. Chung Kui-lae, President of SIPRO.
Furthermore, several guests came from the Netherlands for the festival: Mr. Gerben Schermer, director of the Holland Animation Film Festival, Mr. Paul de Nooijer, filmmaker, VJ Adriaan Lokman and DJ Secret Cinema (Jeroen Verheij).
After the opening is the movie theatre, a reception was offered by the Embassy in the exhibition room where several artworks related to Dutch animtion are being dsiplayed until May 23.
Photo: Mr. H.E.C. Koets delivering a speech to the audience. |
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Korea-Holland Animation Festival
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 Photo: VJ Adriaan Lokman, who would give a terrific performance behind Sejong Cultural Hall on May 5 together with DJ Secret Cinema (Jeroen Verheij), talking with Belgian Ambassador Koenraad Rouvroy. |
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World Championship Speed Skating (Single Distances)
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From 12 to 14 March, the World Championship Speed Skating for single distances, were held in Taeneung Indoor International Ice Rink, Seoul.
Of course the Netherlands participated and the Dutch skaters managed to win several medals including two golden medals : Verheijen (10,000 m) and Wennemars (1,000 m).
A large group of supporters, including the Kleintje Pils band, came all the way to Korea to join the local Dutch community to cheer for the Dutch team. |
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Korea-The Netherlands Joint Seminar
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The "Korea-The Netherlands Joint Seminar on the development of Incheon International Airport into a North East Asian Logistics Hub" was succesfully held at Icheon International Aiport Coproration on Thursday, February 12, and attracted much attention from experts and the logistic industry.
Photo: Ambassador of The Netherlands, H.E. Mr. Radinck J. van Vollenhoven opens the seminar with a speech. |
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First Screening of "Hamels Horizon" (1)
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 On February 17, the documentary "Hamels Horizon" by Dutch director Jan de Hartog, was screened in Korea for the first time. The film tells the story of an adopted Korean girl who returns to Korea to find out more about her roots while following the route Hendrik Hamel took 350 years ago.
The screening took place in Seoul Art Cinema and was attended by many Dutch and Korean people.
Before the screening started, Ambassador Radinck J. van Vollenhoven spoke a few words of welcome. Mr. Dae-won Wenger of the Global Overseas Adoptees Link briefly touched upon the postion of the Korean adoptees.
As director Jan de Hartog could not be at the screening because of another project in Vietnam, Ms. Park Yoon-hee who worked as a production-assistant on "Hamels Horizon", spoke on behalf of the director and thanked all those people who helped to make the film.
The film was very well received by the audience that afterwards could discuss the film at the reception.
Photo: Ambassador Radinck J. van Vollenhoven welcomes the audience. |
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First Press Conference on Hamel Opera
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 On January 14 Hwahee Opera Company held its first press conference on the opera titled " Oh, Hamel", at Sejong Cultural Center.
The opera is scheduled to take place on 13 to 17 April at Sejong Cultural Center.
Photo (from left to right): Mr. Shin, director of Seoul Metropolitan City Opera, Mr. H.E.C. Koets, Deputy Head of Mission, Royal Netherlands Embassy; Ms. Y.S. Kang, President of Hwahee Opera; Mr. S.H. Kim President of Sejong Cultural Center; Mr. Martin Rupprecht, stage designer. |
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Preview: Boijmans van Beuningen at SAC
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 On December 18 the Royal Netherlands Embassy in cooperation with the Belgium Embassy organized a preview of drawings by 17th century artists Rubens and Van Dyck. The drawings were lent by the Dutch Boijmans van Beuningen Museum to the Seoul Art Center.
The preview was visited by people of the Dutch and Belgium communities; people from the diplomatic corps; and many Korean guests.
The exhibition will open on Dec. 19 and close on Feb. 8
Photo: Ambassador Radinck J. van Vollenhoven delivers a word of welcome in the presence of Belgian Ambassador Koenraad Rouvroy who would also give a speech. |
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"Wonju Walking Days" (1)
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 On October 24 the start of the "Wonju Walking Days" was preceeded by a ceremony at the Dutch monument in Hoengsoeng for the Dutch and Belgian particpants. Speeches were delivered and wreaths were layed.
Photo: Deputy Head of Mission, Mr. Hendrik E. C. Koets and the official delegation in front of the monument |
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The 1st Seoul Aidswalk (1)
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 On October 19, the 1st Seoul Aidswalk was held in order to raise funds for the battle against Aids. The event started at 10.00 am and took the participants for a 3.5 km walk from the National Theatre of Korea to Bum Baek Square.
Photo: Among the participants was also a delegation of the Royal Netherlands Embassy. |
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Introdans at SIDance Festival (1)
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 On October 16 the Introdans team performed for their second night at the SIdance Festival at the Towol Theatre of Seoul Art Center. The performance was very well received and the enthusiastic audience showed its appreciation with an enormous applause.
The Royal Netherlands hosted a reception after the performance for the Introdans team and other invitees from both cultural and business organisations.
Photo: Ambassador Radinck J. van Vollenhoven, host of the reception, speaks a word of thanks towards the Introdans team. |
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Introdans at SIDance Festival (3)
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 Photo: Mr. Ton Wiggers (right), Founder and Artistic Director of Introdans, and Mr. Andrey Podlasov, one of the performing dancers, discuss how the performance went. |
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Visit of "Leonardo da Vinci"
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 After traveling through Japan a group of 28 students and 4 teachers of the faculty of Aerospace Technology, TU Delft visited Korea for 9 days. The main purpose of the study trip was to visit aerospace related companies.
The Royal Netherlands Embassy hosted a reception for the group at the residence of Mr. H.E.C Koets and was attended by several members of the Dutch business community as well.
Photo: Mr. Pieter Wijkstra (left) who co-organized the study trip, speaks a word of thanks to Mr. H.E.C. Koets, Counsellor of the Royal Netherlands Embassy. |
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Dutch Community visits Jeju Island
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 The Dutch Business Club Korea and the Hendrick Hamel Association organized a visit to Jeju Island on September 26,27 and 28. On Friday the 26th the Dutch Business Community paid a visit to the Province Office and was given an explanation on the business projects of Jeju.
On Saturday and Sunday 61 people of the Dutch Community gathered for a weekend of pleasure and culture, including of course a visit to the Hamel ship and monument as well as the National Museum of Jeju.
Photo (from left to right): Mr. A. Meeusen, Vice President of DBCK; Ms. Y. Wirahadiraksa, President of the Hamel Association; Mr. R. Dunki Jacobs, President of DBCK; Mr. H. Koets, Counsellor and Deputy Chief of Mission, Royal Netherlands Embassy; Mr. Kim Chang-hee, Vice Mayor of Nam Jeju County. |
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Dutch Community visits Jeju Island (2)
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 Photo: The Dutch Community in front of the the Hamel ship. |
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Gyeongju World Culture Expo (2)
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 On September 17 it was national Holland day at the Gyeongju World Culture Expo. The highlight of the day was the performance by Dutch folk dance group "Pieremachochel".
The national day was attended by Mr. and Mrs. Hendrik Koets of the Royal Netherlnads Embassy. Mr. Koets gave a speech and afterwards met with the members of the dance group.
Photo: The members of Pieremachochel, Mr. & Mrs. Koets and Mr. Yoo, Secretary General of the Gyeongju World Culture Expo 2010 Organizing Committee, have their picture taken to commemorate the event. |
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Book presentation: Hendrik Hamel in Korea
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 On September 6 the book titled " De wereld van Hendrik Hamel" (English title: The world of Hendrik Hamel) was presented in the LAK-building of Leiden University. The book is a commercial edition of the Hamel Journal with supplement academic writings, and will be available in Dutch and English (SUN Publishings)
The presentation was preceded by several lectures and followed by a reception.
More info: www.uitgeverijboom.nl
Photo: the cover of " De wereld of Hendrik Hamel". |
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Korea Student Fair: Fall
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 On 6 and 7 September the Korea Student Fair: Fall was held at the COEX complex in Seoul. The Royal Netherlands Embassy was of course also present and had its booth at the European Pavilion.
Photo: Newly arrived Ambassador (designate) R.J. van Vollenhoven talks with Ms. Kim of the Embassy at the Dutch booth. |
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Delegation from Gorinchem City visits Korea
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 A delegation from Gorinchem City lead by Mayor Piet IJssel visited Korea from August 30 to September 5. Besides Seoul, the delegation went to Kwangju, Gangjin and Jeju.
In honor of the Gorinchem delegation Mr. H.E.C.Koets, Counsellor of the Royal Netherlands Embassy, hosted a dinner reception at his residence for the delegation and some members of the Dutch community as well as some Korean relations.
Photo: Mayor P.IJssels, Dr. Y.H. Kwaak, Chairman of the Hwankyung Group, and Mr. H.E.C. Koets shake hands while the Mayor is presented with a Hamel commemoration award. |
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Universiade Daegu (1)
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 The Dutch team in the Universiade at Daegu has won four medals (gold, silver and two bronze). On Saturday 30 August members of the Dutch community in Korea attended a dinner/reception in Daegu hosted by the Netherlands Embassy. The Charge d'Affaires of the Embassy, Mr. Hendrik E.C. Koets, presented to the Chef de Mission and the winners of the Medals a Hamel Trophy of appreciation.
Photo: Mr. Hendrik Koets and Mr. Rein Dunki Jacobs, Chairman of the DBCK, present Mr. Hans van Rooijen, Chef de Mission, with a Hamel Trophy. |
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Farewell Party Ambassador & Mrs. Hein de Vries (1)
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 On Monday 18 August the Hamel Club, the Dutch Business Club Korea and the staff at the Royal Netherlands Embassy bid farewell to Ambassador & Mrs. Hein de Vries. A representative of each group gave a speech, and wished the couple a lot of success in their next posting.
Picture: Ambassador & Mrs. De Vries receive a "Korean survival kit" from the Hamel Club. |
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Opening Exhibition: The Age of Rembrandt (1)
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 On Thursday 14 August Director Mr. Oh Kwang Su officially opened the exhibition "The Age of Rembrandt" at the Deoksu Palace Museum. The opening ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including former First Lady Mrs. Lee Hee-Ho, Ambassador Hein de Vries, Deputy Director of the Mauritshuis Mr. Rik van Koetsveld, Mrs. Dho Young Shim, among others.
The exhibition will run from 15 August until 9 November at the Deoksu Palace Museum. For more detailed information, please contact Mrs. Laurencina Farrant-Lee (Laurence Geoffrey's. Ltd / Organizers):
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Preview Gala: The Age of Rembrandt (1)
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 Picture: Dr. & Mrs. Lamers (Industrial Counsellor, NFIA) and Mr. Rik van Koetsveld (Deputy Director, Mauritshuis Museum - at the right) at Deoksu Palace Museum in Seoul.
On the occasion of the Exhibition "The Age of Rembrandt," Ambassador & Mrs. Hein de Vries hosted a Preview Gala at the Deoku Palace Museum on Wednesday 13 August. The guests had the opportunity to have a first glance at the 50 Dutch Master paintings, and while having dinner, enjoy a string quartet and a sanjo gaya-geum performance. During the evening Mr. Rik van Koetsveld, Deputy Director of the Mauritshuis Museum, spoke shortly on 17th Century Dutch Painting and the Mauritshuis.
The Exhibition will run from 15 August until 9 November. For more detailed information, please contact Mrs. Laurencina Farrant-Lee (Laurence Geoffrey's. Ltd / Organizers):
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Preview Gala: The Age of Rembrandt (2)
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 Picture: Mr. Park Jin, Member of the National Assembly, Ambassador Hein de Vries, and Prof. Song Bong Ho. |
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Opening Special Exhibition at Jeju National Museum (1)
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 Picture: Ambassador Hein de Vries giving a lecture at the Jeju National Museum, prior to the official opening of the exhibition "The 350th Anniversary Marking Hamel's Shipwreck on Jeju Island."
The exhibition is running from 8 August until 12 October. The details are as follows:
Title: The 350th Anniversary Marking Hamel's Shipwreck on Jeju Island
Venue: Jeju National Museum Special Exhibition Room, Lecture Hall, Outdoor Exhibit Place
Host: Jeju National Museum, Republic of Korea
During the exhibition the original Hamel Journal will be on display for the very first time.
For more detailed information, please contact:
Mr. Lee Gwi Young, Curator (Jeju National Museum)
Mr. Choi Heung Sun, Assistant Curator (Jeju National Museum)
This exhibition has been made possible with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Netherlands. |
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National Day: Commemoration Ceremony at Hoengseong (1)
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 Picture: the Netherlands Minister of Defense, Mr. Kamp, and the Ambassador, Mr. De Vries, joint by other guests arrive at the Dutch Monument in Hoengsoeng. |
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National Day: Commemoration Ceremony at Hoengseong (2)
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 Picture: The Dutch Monument in Hoengsoeng. |
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National Day: Commemoration Ceremony at Hoengseong (3)
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 Picture: Dutch Korean War Veterans in Hoengsoeng.
Names of the Dutch Korean War Veterans attending the ceremony in Hoensoeng:
(Left to right)
- General Tack
- Mr. Rosdorff
- Mr. Cuypers
- Mr. Motshagen
- Colonel Schreuders
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National Day: Commemoration Ceremony at Hoengseong (4)
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 Picture: The Bataljon Van Heutz in Hoengsoeng. |
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Dutch Trade Mission (1)
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 The Netherlands Minister for Foreign Trade, Mrs. Karien van Gennip, visited South Korea from 7 until 11 July to accomplish an economic mission. In total 37 Dutch companies participated, and PSV coach Mr. Guus Hiddink also joined the delegation.
For a full report (daily report with pictures), go to the special website on Dutch Trade Mission to Korea by the Ministry of Economic Affairs www.korea.ez.nl
Picture: Day 2, visit to Hyundai shipbuilding yard in Ulsan
Source picture: Website Ministry of Economic Affairs |
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Dutch Trade Mission (2)
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 Picture: Day 4, Press Conference "Partners in Trade, Partners in Sports!"
Source picture: Website Ministry of Economic Affairs |
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Dutch Trade Mission (4)
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 Picture: Day 4, Holland Trade Dinner, with Special Guest Mr. Guus Hiddink
Source picture: Website Ministry of Economic Affairs |
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Dutch Trade Mission (5)
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 During the Holland Trade Dinner, the Dutch company ASML received the first Hamel Trade Award.
The Dutch company ASML is one of the world's leading providers of advanced technology systems for the semiconductor industry. The company offers an integrated portfolio of lithography and thermal systems, mainly for manufacturing complex integrated circuits (also called ICs or chips). For more information, go to www.asml.nl
Picture: Hamel Trade Award, designed and constructed by the Dutch artist Mr. Edwin Merks (www.home.zonnet.nl/holland.artist/) |
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Opening of the Exhibition In or Out (1)
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 On Friday 11 July The Minister for Foreign Trade, Mrs. Karien van Gennip, opened the prestigous exhibition "In or Out: Dutch Contemporary Art."
The exhibition runs until Sunday 27 July at the Museum for Contemporary Art in Kwacheon. For more information, go to www.yellow-sea.com or www.moca.go.kr
Picture: Self-portrait of the Porcelain Export History, by the Dutch artist Ni Haifeng.
Source picture: www.yellow-sea.com |
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Opening of the Exhibition In or Out (2)
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 Picture: Netherlands Minister for Foreign Trade, Mrs. Karien van Gennip, officially opens the Exhibition "In or Out: Dutch Contemporary Art 2010"
Source picture: Dutch Business Club Korea |
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Opening of the Exhibition In or Out (3)
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 Picture: Mr. Martijn Kielstra from Canvas International Art (center) gives more explanation about Dutch contemporary art to Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade Mrs. Karien van Gennip (right) and Ambassador Hein de Vries (left).
Source Picture: Dutch Business Club Korea |
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Photo Exhibition by Dutch Students from Breda Hogeschool (1)
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 During the Chuncheon International Mime Festival (28 May - 1 June) and the Holland Week (2 June - 6 June) a joint photo exhibition by Anja de Jonge and Verena Kaltenbach was held at the island in Chuncheon and at the Global Lounge in Yonsei University.
The two photographers are students at the Breda Hogeschool in the Netherlands. They traveled together to Korea to do an assigment in February-March 2010. For more information also see "Reviews - date 19 March 2010."
Photo: one photo from the serie "Adoption," by Anja de Jonge. |
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Chuncheon International Mime Festival (1)
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 During the Chuncheon International Mime Festival the Royal Netherlands Embassy organized a workshop "Making my Holland." Families and children had the opportunity to learn more about the Netherlands by creating their "Own Holland" with modelling clay. Many families made windmills, tulips, wooden clogs, bicycles and even Hamel's ship. At the same time families could also enjoy several performances by the Dutch mime troupes De Daders and Warner & Consorten from Amsterdam, and have a closer look at the several Dutch photo exhibitions outdoors. |
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Chuncheon International Mime Festival (2)
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 Photo Exhibition by Dutch photographers Anja de Jonge and Verena Kaltenbach, alongside the river in Chuncheon City.
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Lotte Department Store: Opening Ceremony
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First Holland Education Fair at Seoul
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 On 26-27 April the First Holland Education Fair took place at the Seoul Hilton Hotel. Students interested in studying in the Netherlands had the opportunity to meet representatives of 12 Dutch universities, and get a lot of practical information.
Upcoming events "Studying in the Netherlands" |
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Hamel Year Team Spirit
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 Date: 18 March 2010
Venue: Meeting Room at Royal Netherlands Embassy (decorated with drawings on Hamel made by Korean elementary students - see background)
The Hamel Year Task Force is busy with putting a last hand to the preparations for the Hamel Year Launching Party.
A full report, with plenty of pictures, on the Hamel Year Launching Party will be available on Thursday 20 March 2010.
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International Education Fair in Seoul
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 On 8-9 March 2010 the Royal Netherlands Embassy participated in the 16th Study Abroad & Language Fair at the COEX, Seoul.
On 26-27 April 2010 the first Holland Education Fair in South Korea will take place in the Hilton Hotel, Seoul.
More than 10 different Dutch universitities and institutions are expected to participate in the Holland Education Fair. You will have the opportunity to meet the representatives in person and get advice on Studying in the Netherlands, and other practical information.
A complete list of the participating universities will be available soon.
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Drawing Competition for Children organized by the Royal Netherlands Embassy (Part I)
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 The Royal Netherlands Embassy in Seoul has held a drawing competition for elementary school students from 4 November until 4 December 2009 to highlight the close relationship between Korea and the Netherlands.
The students were requested to make a drawing of aspects of Korea which they would show Hamel if he were alive in 2010. The competition received a lot of positive response, and the embassy received a total of 700 drawings. The final 10 winners will be invited to meet the Ambassador of The Netherlands at his residence on 21 December 2009.
On photo: Mrs. Jasmin Song, coordinator of the drawing competition, seated among the final 100 drawings.
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