Events

La Grande Fête de la Francophonie held in Washington, D.C. in Solidarity with the Haitian People

Posted by Susanna at 1:24 PM, Mar 7, 2010 (Comments)

Category: Events

French Ambassador Pierre Vimont (in the middle) and guests

"LA GRANDE Fête de la Francophonie," which was held on Friday evening, March 5, in Washington, D.C. at the French Embassy - La Maison Française - is the crowning event of the 2010 Francophonie cultural festival. This year "la Grande fête" was dedicated to the memory of those who lost their lives during Haiti's recent earthquake, and to the rebuilding efforts of those who survived. Funds collected from the event will be given to the American Red Cross to support their campaign to help the people of Haiti rebuild their country.

Romanian Ambassador Adrian Vierita and his wife Codrina Eugenia Vierita

DURING THE FESTIVE evening hundreds of guests could enjoy culinary specialties from over 35 nations and dance the night away to live music provided by Cyprus' Nikolas Metaxas and swinging Cajun tunes from Louisiana Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys. Representatives from various embassies, governments and institutions presented their cultures and showcased their rich traditions and cuisines of the French speaking world.

Nathalie Jobin and French Cultural Attaché Roland Celette

THE FRANCOPHONIE FESTIVAL is a month-long event in Washington, to enjoy films, children's programs, lectures, concerts and other cultural arrangements. Visit www.FrancophonieDC.org for the entire schedule, March 1 to April 11.

Ann-Marie Brisbois and Robert Dyer

Jennifer McFarland, Sarah Grafton and Siobhan Gavagan

Lath John Akadje is the Cultural Attaché of Côte d'Ivoire.

Koustubh Parulekar, Sasha Sutcliffe-Stephenson, Shelagh Hayes and Jean-François Peyronnard

Fatoumata Noumansana (in the middle) with friends

Priyanka Neewoor, Jennifer Nelligan, Nagesh Rao and Kate Culpepper

Permalink | Comments (0)

Exhibition of the work of Futurist Designer Fortunato Depero at the Italian Cultural Institute in Washington, D.C.

Posted by Susanna at 6:17 PM, Mar 1, 2010 (Comments)

Category: Events

Rita Venturelli, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute in Washington, D.C., her husband Luigi Volta, and Mary Bird

AN EXHIBITION OF the work of the Italian futurist designer Fortunato Depero (1892-1960) was presented at an event at the Italian Cultural Institute in Washington, D.C. on Friday evening, February 26. Mr. Depero is best known for his design of the 1932 Campari Soda bottle, which is still in production.

THE EXHIBITION, titled "Fortunato Depero 50," is a collection of Debero's graphic design work over the course of 35 years and includes 41 works and 10 vintage prints. It explores the techniques used by the designer in his works and his advertisements.

FORTUNATO DEPERO was born in 1892 in Fondo (Trentino). In 1913 he began to explore Futurism as an artist, and shortly after his move to Rome in 1914, through Giacomo Balla's intervention, he was officially admitted into the group of futurist painters and sculptors. On March 11, 1915, he and Balla signed the manifesto Futurist Reconstruction of the Universe.

FORTUNATO DEPERO ALSO worked with the Swiss poet Gilbert Clavel to create Balli Plastici, or the "Plastic Dance," a show that was first performed in Rome in 1918, featuring puppets instead of live actors, giving a mechanical but joyful vision of the world. At Friday's event, that show was presented again in a "re-imagining" film directed by Franco Sciannameo of Carnegie Mellon University.

IN 1928 DEPERO LEFT for New York, where he worked with costumes and stage solutions for theater and ballet institutions, as well as in advertising and illustration for magazines. He was deeply changed by his New York experience, with its bright skyscrapers but also rundown suburbs. New York showed him the real face of the technological future that the Italian futurists had always dreamt of. He returned to Trentino, but after World War II he was back in New York to have another chance at the American adventure, and it brought him into contact with the surrealists and with anthropological interests, which revitalized the work of his final years.

THE CURATOR for "Fortunato Depero 50" was Italian art critic Maurizio Scudiero and Studio 53 Arte in Florence, Italy.

Permalink | Comments (0)

Retired Rear Admiral Jay M. Cohen spoke about U.S.-Swedish submarine cooperation at the SACU luncheon

Posted by Susanna at 3:35 PM, Feb 26, 2010 (Comments)

Category: Events

SACU Chairman David Paul, Mrs. Margareta Paul, Undersecretary Jay M. Cohen, Mrs. Ingrid Beach, and Col. Lars-Olof Corneliusson, Swedish Marine Attaché in the United States and Military Attaché in Canada.

JAY M. COHEN, Undersecretary for Science and Technology at the U.S. Department for Homeland Security and a retired Rear Admiral in the U.S. Navy, was the featured speaker a the Feb. 24th Swedish American Cultural Union luncheon in Washington, D.C. He spoke about the visit to San Diego in 2005-2007 by the Swedish submarine HMS Gotland. Admiral Cohen was in charge of arranging for the Swedish submarine to come to the United States and share its naval technology with the U.S. Navy.

Permalink | Comments (0)

Embassy of Finland in Washington Celebrated as First Green Embassy in the U.S.

Posted by Susanna at 2:01 PM, Feb 25, 2010 (Comments)

Category: Events

Mrs. Laurel Colless, the wife of the Finnish Ambassador; Philippa Hughes of the Pink Line Project; and Finnish Ambassador Pekka Lintu.

THE EMBASSY OF FINLAND in Washington, D.C., located on Embassy Row/Massachusetts Avenue, celebrated its building's recognition as the first green embassy in the U.S. at an event on Wednesday evening, February 24. The beautiful and modernistic embassy edifice - an architectural landmark in the U.S. capital -- has been awarded the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for existing buildings, marking the first time a diplomatic mission in the U.S. has received this recognition. The Finnish Ambassador Pekka Lintu and his wife Laurel Colless were hosts during this celebration, and the Ambassador also received the award from the Council.

Jim Healy, Christine T. Mangi and Nick Schandlbauer

THE MANY GUESTS - who were asked to wear something green (which actually not many did pay heed to!) -- could feast on a fabulous buffet with many Scandinavian delicacies and martini drinks lit up by a bluish light, put together by the executive chef at the Embassy of Finland, Mikko S.P. Kosonen, and his colleague at the Swedish Embassy, Martin Johansson.

Nils Bruzelius and his wife Lynne Weil

BEHIND THE ARRANGEMENTS for the creative programs during this festive evening were art impresario Philippa Hughes and her arts organization The Pink Line Project (www.pinklineproject.com). The performers and artists were the musicians Christylez Bacon (nominated for a Grammy!), the dance company City Dance Ensemble, and video DJ was John Bowen/Videokillers, and painter Cory Oberndorfer.

Lena Skanby and Richard Gould

Martin Johansson, Executive Chef at the Embassy of Sweden, and Mikko S.P. Kosonen, Executive Chef at the Embassy of Finland, arranged a fabulous buffet.

Finnish Press Secretary Kari Mokko and Christina R. Sevilla, Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative.

Veronica Jackson and Paula Schumann

Jenni Järventaus, Lars Roth, Saija Nurminen and Suzanne D.A. de Groot

Isciane Rouziere and Bipin Badhe

Christine T. Mangi and Michel Heitstuman

Kamran Hasan, Izumi Yamanaka and Bipin Badhe

Heiko Hesse, Benjamin Loewy and Eric Brewer

  Ambassador Pekka Lintu (to the right) receives the LEED Gold award for the Finnish Embassy. The LEED rating system provides a suite of standards for environmentally sustainable construction and existing buildings.

  The evening's video DJ was John Bowen/Videokillers.

The Embassy of Finland is located on Massachusetts Avenue in Washington, D.C. Its building is being recognized as the first "green" embassy in the U.S.  

Permalink | Comments (0)

Artist Rodgers Naylor shows paintings at Susan Calloway Fine Arts in Washington

Posted by Susanna at 11:51 AM, Feb 20, 2010 (Comments)

Category: Events

Painter Rodgers Naylor and gallery owner Susan Calloway, Susan Calloway Fine Arts

WASHINGTON, D.C. born artist Rodgers Naylor works in an "alla prima" manner, usually beginning with a warm-tone under painting and completing a painting in one session when possible. This method, since it involves painting directly into wet paint, allows great flexibility in mixing colors and attaining soft edges, and fosters a fresh, spontaneous approach to painting.

Architect Christian Zapatka

ON FRIDAY EVENING, February 19, the opening reception of Naylor's exhibition "Here and There" was held at Susan Calloway Fine Arts in Washington, D.C. The exhibition consists of paintings of urban life, including scenes from Washington, D.C., Chicago, and other US cities, as well as places in Mediterranean European such as Barcelona and various towns in southern France.

New Yorkers Rob O'Donnell and Robert Tursi

THE ARTWORK SHOWS the artist's strong interest in the effects of light and shadow, warm and cool colors, and the interplay between the landscape and its human inhabitants. Rodgers Naylor, who grew up on a farm in Maryland, currently resides in Colorado, and gathers inspiration both close to home and in his distant travels.

Photographer Holly Foss and the artist's sister Debra Naylor

SUSAN CALLOWAY FINE ARTS is located at 1643 Wisconsin Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C.20007. Tel. 202-965-4601, www.callowayart.com, and e-mail: gallery@callowayart.com.

Siobhan Gavagan (to the right) and a friend

Permalink | Comments (0)

Celebration of the Bicentennial of Mexican Independence at the Meridian in Washington, D.C.

Posted by Susanna at 9:39 AM, Feb 5, 2010 (Comments)

Category: Events

Christina R. Sevilla, Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative; Dr. Curtis Sandberg, Vice President for Arts and Cultural Programs at the Meridian Cultural Center; and Betty Ann Tanner and Congressman John Tanner (Tennessee).

A CELEBRATION of the Bicentennial of Mexican Independence was held at the Meridian International Center in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday evening, February 3. "Borders without Boundaries - Cultural Connections between Mexico and the United States," was the theme of a conversation with H.E. Sarukhan, Ambassador of Mexico to the United States; The Honorable Dana Gioia, poet at The Aspen Institute; and Jesús Silva-Herzog Márquez, essayist and professor at ITAM in Mexico.

AFTERWARDS - at the Bicentennial reception -- guests could admire a stunning exhibition of 40 signed prints by renowned Mexican artist Rufino Tamayo (1889-1991), which was presented by Meridian International Center, together with Mixografía(ʀ) workshop and Landau Traveling Exhibitions in Los Angeles, along with video art by Mauricio Alejo, Alberto Roblest and Laureana Toledo. They also enjoyed Mexican delicacies and exquisite tequila from the producer Casa Dragones. Among the guests were congressmen John Tanner of Tennessee and Dennis Moore of Kansas, former Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff, and art impresario Philippa Hughes of the Pink Line Project among others.

Marie Royce of Alcatel-Lucent and the wife of Californian congressman Ed Royce, and Mary Ellen Matheson, who is Director of Development at the Meridian International Center.

Izette Folger and Mrs. Veronica Valenca-Sarukhan, wife of the Mexican Ambassador Arturo Sarukhan.

Kier Peterson and Gwen Holliday, wife of Ambassador Stuart Holliday, President and CEO of Meridian International Center.

Mexican Ambassador Arturo Sarukhan and Marie Royce

Anamaria Ceseña, who served the famous Casa Dragones tequila, and Ali Rasiv.

Meridian International Center

Permalink | Comments (0)

SWEA Washington, D.C. holds Annual Meeting at the Swedish Residence in Washington, D.C.

Posted by Susanna at 8:42 AM, Jan 30, 2010 (Comments)

Category: Events

SWEA Washington, D.C.'s new board members

THE WASHINGTON, D.C. chapter of SWEA, Swedish Women's Educational Association, held its annual board meeting at the Swedish Ambassador's residence on Wednesday evening, January 27. The organization's new board was presented, previous board members were thanked for their services, and information about the spring programs was provided. Cecilia Browning, who is the incoming chairwoman, will take over chairwomanship after Gunilla Stone. Afterwards a delicious buffet was served in the residence's dining room.

The annual SWEA meeting at the Swedish Ambassador's residence in Washington, D.C.

Permalink | Comments (0)

SACU Luncheon with Karin Olofsdotter, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Sweden in Washington, D.C.

Posted by Susanna at 12:37 PM, Jan 29, 2010 (Comments)

Category: Events

Ingrid Beach, Karin Olofsdotter, who is Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Sweden in Washington, D.C., and David Paul.

KARIN OLOFSDOTTER, the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Sweden in Washington, D.C. spoke at a SACU (Swedish American Cultural Union) luncheon in the American capital, on January 27 regarding the recent Swedish European Union Presidency from July to December 2009. Ms. Olofsdotter provided interesting insights about the work behind the presidency and the Swedish accomplishments.

"I THINK THAT we were well-prepared for the presidency, but EU as an organization is not that well-known in the United States, and with a new American administration it took time, and was a challenge, to set up meetings with American representatives. But Mr. Bildt, who has good connections in Washington, was very helpful. It is important to know the U.S. position on different topics" she said.

BEFORE JOINING the Swedish Embassy in Washington, she served as Chief of Staff to the Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt, and as Director of the Ministers Office in Stockholm.

MS. OLOFSDOTTER admitted that it was difficult to set up a meeting between the Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt and the American president, Barack Obama, but that they were finally successful with some last minute arrangements. On Friday afternoon, in early November, there was a phone call from the Americans that a 30-minute meeting was scheduled for the following Monday at 2 p.m. It was supposed to be 30-minute meeting, but it lasted 50 minutes. A luncheon with Vice-President Joe Biden, followed the summit.

"OUR PRESIDENCY started with the crisis in Honduras, and Sweden is not too involved in that part of the world, so that was a new experience," Ms. Olofsdotter noted. She also mentioned that German Chancellor Angela Merkel's speech in the U.S. Congress was a "Great Day for Europe," but that the results from the Copenhagen Climate Conference were disappointing. During the presidency Sweden arranged more than 100 briefings, and the House of Sweden became the "House of Europe" during the period.

Permalink | Comments (0)

NASDAQ CEO in Washington says "Swedish markets are dynamic, innovative and growing"

Posted by Susanna at 2:55 PM, Jan 25, 2010 (Comments)

Category: Events

The head of NASDAQ OMX Group Bob Greifeld discussed the economic situation at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

BOB GREIFELD, the head of NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc., during a Newsmaker event at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, January 21, mentioned Sweden as an example when warning about the recent proposal by some in Congress to introduce a securities transaction tax as a way to "punish" Wall Street for the excesses of the past decade.

"CONSIDER SWEDEN, a country NASDAQ knows well since our merger with OMX. In 1984, Sweden introduced a 1 percent transaction tax and then doubled it. By 1990, over 50 percent of the volume of Swedish shares traded in London. The day the tax was announced, the Swedish market fell by 2.2 percent," Mr. Greifeld said in his address. The tax was abolished in 1991. And, according to him, the Swedish markets are now "dynamic, innovative and growing."

IN A CLIMATE of economic uncertainty and anxiety, Mr. Greifeld mentioned that the financial landscape has improved but it is structurally the same as before the crisis. He pointed out how financial re-regulation and the urgency to create new jobs in the U.S. are fundamentally intertwined.

IT IS A JOBLESS recovery, and Mr. Greifeld's advice to turn things around is a good market structure which allows people with good ideas to raise capital. "Good ideas, funded by capital, produce jobs," he said. Additionally he talked about the connection between Wall Street and Main Street, to provide capital to grow jobs. Finally he pointed out that "an enlightened regulatory effort will encourage capital formation and growth. And sustained economic progress will be the best way to ensure the health of the markets."

Permalink | Comments (0)

SACC-DC's Annual Meeting at House of Sweden in Washington, D.C.

Posted by Susanna at 3:25 PM, Jan 22, 2010 (Comments)

Category: Events

General Sven-Olof Hökborg, who was presented with the 2010 Wilhelm Wachtmeister Award, and Gunilla Girardo, President of SACC-USA.

SACC (Swedish American Chamber of Commerce) Washington, D.C.. held its annual meeting and the Wilhelm Wachtmeister Award Ceremony on Thursday evening, January 21, at the House of Sweden in the American capital. General Sven-Olof Hökborg was presented with the award during the reception, that followed the annual meeting.

Felipe Benitez, Fenton Communications; Barbara Baffer, Ericsson Inc., Washington, D.C.; and Claes Hammar, Minister for Trade and Economic Affairs at the Embassy of Sweden

Chandrika Näsström, SACC-DC, and Larilyn André, Embassy of Sweden

Bo Börje Jonsson, Bank of Georgetown, and Cecilia Browning, House of Sweden

Swedish Ambassador Jonas Hafström spoke at the awards ceremony.

The awards ceremony: Swedish Ambassador Jonas Hafström; General Sven-Olof Hökborg; and Bradley J. Olson, incoming chairman of SACC-DC.

Permalink | Comments (0)