Enjoying some groovy reggae music at the Europe Day reception are (from left) Ossie Harding, Canadian High Commissioner Denis Kingsley, Thalia Lyn, Dr. Barbara Munske, Argentine Ambassador Mario Jose Pino, and Mexican Ambassador Leonora Rueda. The function was held at Hyperion Avenue, Jack Hills, on Wednesday, May 9. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributed

My dears, those in the know know that it is always a difficult task to follow on-stage a good act, unless of course, yours is much better than the preceding one. And even then, taking the stage, especially while the applause is still ringing, requires a formidable act, to command the attention of the audience, still basking in the glow of the greatness of your predecessor.

In diplomatic circles, each successor is judged, and critically, by the standards set by his/her predecessor. Naturally, some acts are harder to follow than others. For those following in the wake of a good act, there's always the question of striking the correct balance, of winning friends and influencing decisions, people and events.

And that, my dears, is the long and short of the world of diplomacy!

Anyway, here in Jamaica, this host country and the European Union have enjoyed stellar diplomatic relations from the very get-go. The formalisation of diplomatic relations between the Union and Jamaica, has been enhanced over the years, because the EU, in its infinite wisdom has (there have been a few exceptions), sent as its head of delegation here, ambassadors competent in the art of diplomacy, and with more than just a passing acquaintance with Jamaica and its own set of circumstances.

Consistent

In this respect, the EU has been very consistent in its commitment to the region, its emissaries equal to the task of furthering bilateral relations with the governments of the region.

And so it is that when it came time to bid farewell to the last head of delegation, HE Ambassador Gerd Jarchow, there were many who viewed his departure with great trepidation. Ambassador Jarchow proved himself an exemplary emissary, becoming part and parcel of the fabric of Jamaican life, while maintaining and executing his diplomatic duties.

Upon his retirement and departure from our shores, there was great apprehension in governmental and social circles, as to just who and what role his successor would play!

Enter HE Ambassador Marco Mazzocchi-Alemanni, an Italian national, and his charming Algerian wife, Siela, and the buzz was all about the new head of delegation. A linguist and scholar, with an aristocratic disposition, but so schooled in the art of international diplomacy, that he fitted right into the Jamaican diplomatic and social circles with ease.

Made the rounds

Very busy, since arriving here a few months ago, Ambassador Mazzochi-Alemanni made the rounds presenting his credentials as well as visiting the territories under his charge. On Wednesday night last, the couple hosted their first official diplomatic function on the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome. The treaty came out of the suggestion of Robert Schuman - the French Minster of Foreign affairs, who first made the proposition that led to the birth of the First European Community Institution, (The European Coal and Steele Community) that later evolved into today's' European Union.

Significantly for the Union, Wednesday's anniversary celebrations represented 50 years of peaceful coexistence for the once warring factions of Europe, a situation which has seen the community grow in number and stature.

Being Ambassador and Mrs. Mazzochi-Alemanni's social debut, all eyes were on them to see their mettle! Well me daahlings, it rained up an almighty wet evening both before and during the commemorative reception, but there was no denying and, or escaping the stamp of pizzazz that the new head of delegation and his wife emblazoned upon this the EU's signature social affair - in one word - flawless!

Dovecakes, we are talking style-perfect here, and nothing but; this was one fabulous shindig and nothing but! Dearhearts, from the very get-go - the entrance with its Persian rug thrown over the corrugated entrance at the gate to make for a smooth navigation, down the driveway (covered for the occasion), on to the base of a flight of stairs where guests were greeted by Siela Mazzochi-Alemanni and other EU officials, before ascending to the reception area.

Now, the official residence of the EU is really one sprawling residence of lawns, balconies, decks and verandahs making for perfect partying and with giant bars set on the front lawns, and the south verandah, overlooking the poolside. Guests needed absolutely no cajoling when it came to partying and enjoying the libations, fare and the august society. And even when the rain came, it did not dampen spirits,but rather enlivened them, as guests paid the raindrops nary a mind as they sought each other's company for tête-à-têtes and other social discourses.

The rains held, and that led to a rather brief ceremony which saw the host, thanking his guests, an apropos response from Foreign Minster Senator Anthony Hylton, and the introduction of the band Chalice, who did the honours in playing the national anthems of Jamaica and the EU!

Well my dears, Chalice was superb in its handling of the Jamaican national anthem, but it was when they performed the EU's anthem, (An Ode to Joy and by special request of Ambassador Mozzochi-Alemanni) in up-tempo reggae mode, that they had the audience snapping!

Fabulous experience

Sweet-things, it was sensational as it was fabulous! We are talking an absolutely fabulous experience here, and nothing but! In fact, the night really was like that - a social classic, and nothing but. It was clear that the new ambassador and his wife were the new kids in town and ones who were sensitive to the culture and musical history of their host nation and it made for one fine debut!

Luvs, on the social Richter scale, this was a tenner and then some!

And really, quite the fab night out, as among the notables spotted were Finance Minister Dr. Omar Davies; Security Minister Dr. Peter Phillips and his fabulous wife, Sandra; Transport Minister Robert Pickersgill; Opposition MP Delroy Chuck; HE Ambassador Douglas Saunders; HE Ambassador Lorne McDonnough; Oliver Clarke; John Issa and his daughter, Zein Issa Nakash; eminent jurist Emile George and wife, Dr. Pamela George; Kenny Benjamin; Ruby Martin; Robert MacMillan; British High Commissioner HE Jeremy Cresswell and his German companion, the lovely Dr. Barbara Munske; German Ambassador HE Volker Schlegel; Spanish Ambassador HE Jesus Silva and his wife, Sara; American Ambassador HE Brenda LaGrange Johnson and hubby, Howard; HE Ambassador and Victor Zotin, of Russia; Canadian High Commissioner HE Denis Kingsley and his wife, the charming JoAnne; Indian High Commissioner HE Kailash Lal Agrawal; Nigerian High Commissioner HE Olufolajimi Akintola; Mexican Ambassador HE Leonora Rueda; Brazilian Ambassador HE Cezar Augusto de Sousa Lima Amaral; HE Mario José Piño the Ambassador of Argentina and Mrs. Piño; Ambassador and Masahiro Obata of Japan; HE Ambassador Yvonne Gittens-Joseph, High Commissioner of Trinidad and Tobago; HoSung Lee, Charge d'Affaires of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea; Head of Delegation of the International Seabed Authority HE Ambassador Satya Nandan; Deputy Head of Mission EU Elisabeth Helstrom; First Counsellor Jacques Stakenborg; First Secretary Felice Zaccheo; Melvin and Nadia Asin; Gernot Papp and his amazingly stunning and elegant Ugandan wife, Ellen.

Also out were Captain Michael and Thalia Lyn; Richard and Diana Stewart; Charley and Lisa Johnston; Arnold and Patricia Foote; Ainsley and Marjorie Henriques; Dr. Oswald and Marigold Harding; Morin Seymour; the fabulous Joan MacDonald; Joseph and Della Manley; Kingsley Cooper and companion, Romae Gordon; William and Sandy Tavares-Finson; Lisa Marzouca; Geoff Brown; Irena Cousins; Josef Forstmayr; Carol MacMillan; Dr. Cezley Sampson; Dr. Wesley Hughes; Professor Anthony Clayton; Dr. Jonathan Greenland and wife, Dr. Rebecca Tortello Greenland; Allison Peart; Patrick Wong and companion Peta-Gaye MacMillan; Gilbert Scott; Carol Brady; John Leiba; Gilou Bauer; EG Hunter; Scarlett Gillings; Dr. Ann Marie Barnes; Alan Rickhards; Maureen Webber; Alex Issa and his stunning wife, Rebecca; Hugh and Ouida Dunphy; Fashion Designer Lubicia; Mr. and Mrs. Peter Asher; EU Official Alex Dropinski and his companion, Dr. Saphire Longmore; Rosina Moder; Dewight Peters and a bevy of his Saint models; the lovely Laura Butler; plus several scores more.