NCCA CHAIRMAN VISITS GREECE TO ENHANCE CULTURAL COOPERATION 12 November 2013 - The Philippine Embassy in Athens, Greece reported to the Department that National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Chairman Felipe M. De Leon, Jr. visited Greece from October 21 to 25 to explore ways to deepen cultural cooperation. Chairman De Leon, accompanied by Philippine Ambassador to Greece Meynardo LB. Montealegre, had the opportunity during his visit to meet several Greek officials, including Minister of Culture Panos Panagiotopoulos, and with officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Hellenic National Commission for UNESCO. During Chairman De Leon’s call on Minister Panagiotopoulos on October 24, the NCCA Chair expressed the Philippines’ desire to pursue closer cooperation with Greece through the implementation of the existing Cultural Agreement signed in 1997, by way of an Executive Program. Ambassador Montealegre pointed out that the forthcoming 65th anniversary of the establishment of PHL-Greece diplomatic relations in 2015 will provide an excellent platform to initiate more active and deeper cultural cooperation between the two countries. Chairman De Leon said that the Philippines is interested in further exploring the role of culture in development, and that he hopes for Philippines-Greece collaboration in this aspect. He also said that he hopes to learn from Greece’s expertise in preserving its cultural heritage. The Minister expressed his Ministry’s readiness to take cultural cooperation with the Philippines to the next level and said that Greece likewise wants tangible results from the existing Agreement. While Greece is undergoing economic difficulties, he believes that this is also a time for reform, and cultural promotion could help Greece in its quest for recovery. He said that the Ministry stands ready to co-organize cultural events with the Philippines, and to proceed with people-to-people exchanges (artists, experts). He proposed the formation of a Philippines-Greece Committee to work on the Executive Program, specifying concrete dates and events. Chairman De Leon also met with Ambassador Nikolaos Kaimenakis, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ E1 Directorate for Educational and Cultural Affairs on October 22. The NCCA Chair said the Philippines places great importance on the role of culture in development, and identified the following cultural priorities of the Philippines: Promotion of artistic creativity; Conservation of cultural heritage (natural and man-made); and Revitalizing cultural industries. He also said that the Philippines wants to learn from Greece’s experience in the preservation of tangible cultural heritage, and at the same time, also wants to strengthen its intangible heritage. Ambassador Kaimenakis said that Greece’s specific interests in culture lie in the protection of cultural heritage, especially in getting an international consensus on curbing the illegal trade of artifacts, and exploring with other countries common candidates for inscription in the UNESCO list (e.g. the Mediterranean diet, theaters in the Mediterranean area). Other possible areas of cultural cooperation are cinematic co-productions, where the finished film could be marketed as a European co-production and thus could help the Filipino film industry penetrate the European market; exchanges of chorale, musical or dance groups (an area where the Philippines excels); and joint production of Filipino and Greek traditional musical instruments. Noting the existence of a Philippines-Greece Culture Agreement signed in 1997, both sides agreed to maximize their potentials for cultural exchanges and collaboration. Both sides agreed that it is high time to craft an Executive Program, which is the best way to implement the Cultural Agreement. The Ambassador said that having an Executive Program will be a concrete achievement in the two countries’ relations, especially in light of the forthcoming 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2015. Chairman De Leon also met with Ms. Ekaterina Tzitzikosta, President of the Hellenic National Commission for UNESCO, on October 24. During the meeting, Chairman De Leon proposed several possible areas of cooperation, including: Greek marble cutters to train Filipino marble workers in Romblon; and Philippine-Greek collaboration in reviving interest and possibly organizing Delphic/Pythian Games in the Philippines in 2015 in consonance with the Philippine Arts Month held every February. Ms. Tzitzikosta, on the other hand, suggested sending Filipino students to study in Greek academic institutions; Philippine participation in the UNESCO University Chairs Programme; participation of Filipinos from 12 to 15 years old in Greek youth camps; and Philippine delegation to be invited to the Women in Business event, where the role of gender and culture in business development will be tackled. Both sides also expressed interest in organizing an event (an exhibit or exchange of materials) on native/indigenous textiles. During the visit, the NCCA Chair also had the opportunity to tour the National Archeological, Acropolis and Byzantine and Christian Museums in Athens, as well as the Delphi Museum outside Athens. He also visited other cultural sites in Athens such as the Acropolis and had a taste of local flavor/color in the Athenian neighborhoods of Plaka and Monastiraki.
Posted on: Tue, 12 Nov 2013 14:20:47 +0000
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