Utilise Culture To Enhance Relations - Dutch Envoy

By Azzah Mohamad KUALA LUMPUR, April 30 (Bernama) -- The Netherlands Ambassador to Malaysia, Paul Bekkers, believes that culture can move mountains. As it can address and raise issues which other disciplines are unable to, he believes that culture has the power to bring two countries closer. "Some issues might be politically sensitive when it comes to relationships, but if messages are conveyed via a stage play, for example, they can be easily accepted. "So, it is an interesting way of communicating," the Dutch envoy told Bernama in an interview, in conjunction with The Netherlands' Queen's Day, which is celebrated on April 30. On whether the embassy planned to bring any cultural troupe, such as dancers, theatres, arts and artistes to make Malaysians more aware of the culture of The Netherlands, Bekkers said he preferred responding to demands, as Malaysians could best identify the artistic expressions they would like to welcome. Nevertheless, he said he had not received many such requests after the recent World Press Photo Exhibition which was brought here and organised jointly by the Netherlands Embassy and TNT Express Malaysia. World Press Photo was founded in 1955 and runs as an independent, non-profit organisation with its office in Amsterdam, the capital of The Netherlands, and its largest city. The ambassador, who believes "in the role of arts and cultural exchanges" as a medium to tighten bilateral relations, encouraged Malaysians to come out with requests for specific types of the Netherlands' culture, such as theatre or paintings, which could be showcased in Malaysia to increase cultural awareness. On tourism, he said that last year, 112,000 visitors from the Land of the Windmills came to Malaysia. Bekkers also hoped that Malaysia would preserve its bio-diversity, a factor that could distinguish Malaysia from other countries and attract more tourists. "Malaysia still has 53-54 per cent of its area covered by forests. You need to preserve that because that will make you unique," observed the envoy. Elaborating on Queen's Day, he said there would be grand celebrations in his country, with people riding decorated bicycles painted orange, the national colour of The Netherlands and also the symbol of the Royal Family. Every year, Her Majesty, the Queen, visits two separate towns where there are special programmes. In Malaysia, the embassy will host a national reception on May 3 when Malaysians, government officials, businesses and the Dutch community will gather. Bekkers, who has been here for more than two years, said he would like to see more bilateral trade and cultural exchanges so that there would be more awareness about each other's country. "We can keep maintaining and increasing that," he said. --BERNAMA