Philippine Embassy – Embassy inaugurates the Dr. Jose Rizal Award for Philippine-German Cultural Relations

  June 11th, 2010

Embassy inaugurates the Dr. Jose Rizal Award for Philippine-German Cultural Relations

The Philippine Embassy in Berlin inaugurated the Dr. Jose Rizal Award for Philippine-German Cultural Relations during its reception for the 112th anniversary of the declaration of Philippine Independence at the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy (ICD) in Berlin.

In consultation with the National Historical Institute (NHI) and the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Philippine Embassy under the leadership of Ambassador Delia Domingo-Albert initiated the recognition of the first five (5) German nationals who have made a permanent contribution to Philippine German relations in the field of cultural diplomacy.

 

The award is named after the national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, in recognition of his role in bridging Philippine-German relations through his works inspired by German tradition of freedom and liberty, which he experienced while he lived and studied in Heidelberg, Wilhelmsfeld, and Berlin, where he edited the final chapters of his first novel Noli Me Tangere.

Awarded by Ambassador Albert were the following:

1. Prof. Dr. Bernhard Dahm
Professor Emeritus, University of Passau, Germany
He popularized the study of the Philippines at the University of Passau and his book, “José Rizal: Der Nationalheld der Filipinos” immortalized the life and works of Dr. Rizal in Germany.

2. Ambassador Johann Christoph Jessen 
Incumbent Ambassador of Germany to Denmark
As cultural attaché in the German Embassy in Manila, Ambassador Jessen initiated and organized the first cultural event held at the “Paco Park” in 1980 which after 30 years has maintained regular cultural performances for the general public.

3. Dr. Claudius Müller
Director, Staatliches Museum fűr Völkerkunde, Munich
He initiated and organized the first exhibition on Filipino ethnographic culture in Munich in 1980 followed by the exhibition on the treasures of the galleon “San Diego”. He wrote the books, “Morga, Rizal und Berlin” and “Die Philippinen, Perle im östlichen Meer“ ( The Philippines: Pearl of the Orient Seas).

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Ambassador Delia Domingo-Albert (leftmost) with Member of Parliament Sabine Weiss with the awardees (from left) Mr. Karl-Heinz Stockheim, Ambassador Michael Geier representing Dr. Uwe Schmelter, Dr. Claudius Müller, Ambassador Johann Christoph Jessen, and Prof. Dr. Bernhard Dahm

4. Dr. Uwe Schmelter 
Director of Goethe Institute Japan, Head of East-Asia Section
He initiated the restoration of the 1960 film version of Dr. Jose Rizal’s novel, “Noli Me Tangere”, the official gift of the German government to President Corazon Aquino as the first Philippine president to visit Germany.
He promoted the talents of Filipino independent filmmakers many of whom have become internationally recognized.

5. Mr. Karl-Heinz Stockheim
Chief Executive Officer and President, Stockheim Gmbh and Co., Dusseldorf, Germany
As former Honorary Consul of the Philippines (1981-1994) and Honorary Consul General in North Rhine Westphalia (1995-2001), Mr. Stockheim generously supported numerous Philippine cultural groups notably university choirs, visual artists and performers who promoted the Philippines in Germany. He immortalized the Philippines in his book, “Leben wie die Vögel singen” (Life as Birds Sing It).

All of them were present at the reception with their spouses to personally receive their awards, except for Dr. Uwe Schmelter, who could not leave Tokyo and was represented at the ceremony by his close friend Ambassador Michael Geier.
The reception was attended by officials of the German government led by Member of Parliament Sabine Weiss, diplomats, Germans who have lived and worked in the Philippines, and guests from the academic, political and business circles in Berlin, as well as from the film industry, museums and cultural institutions.

The Institute for Cultural Diplomacy (ICD) is an international, not-profit, non-governmental organization founded in 1999 with headquarters in Berlin, Germany. Over the past decade, the ICD has grown to become one of Europe’s largest independent cultural exchange organizations. Its programs facilitate interaction between individuals of all cultural, academic, and professional backgrounds.