Chester Francis-Jackson, Gleaner Writer
Cheers! Ambassador of Germany Jurgen Engel (right) shares a drink and laugh with Robert McMillan.- Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
Some envoys seemingly behave as if their posting here is a chore to be endured rather than an opportunity to serve, and in giving that service learn about their host country.
On the other hand, there are some envoys who are the complete opposite - they enjoy each posting with gusto and determination which is a joy to behold.
It is these envoys, who eventually go on to become media darlings, (sometimes much to the chagrin of some of their colleagues), and are to be found on the preferred guest lists. They not only make good company, but are themselves trophy guests, their own invitations, when issued, are coveted and cherished, as indeed, they come with the promise of a civilised outing and then some!
utter good taste, manners
In recent years Jamaica has been blessed with having had men and women of utter good taste and manners serve here as their country's first citizens and/or head of delegation. They have been exemplars of diplomatic rectitude and proactive emissaries in the promotion of bilateral trade, cooperation and understanding between peoples and governments.
Now, Jamaica and Germany have had and continue to enjoy more than mere cordial relationship over the years, and not just since the establishment of diplomatic relations but way and beyond that. The parish of Westmoreland boasts its own German colony, first founded nearly 140 years ago. In more recent times, however, the German ambassadors here have proved to be bonds that unite each other as well as embrace their hosts and facilitate excellent governmental rapport.
There's a new German ambassador in town, and on Tuesday last he gave official notice that he is no stick in the mud and, if anything, he, too, will be continuing the tradition of facilitating and promoting greater dialogue and cooperation between his government and that of Jamaica. He will also enhance the ties that bind and the long-lasting friendships promoted and encouraged by organisations like the Jamaica German Society.
Dr. Karen Richards and Heinz Becker are having a great time at the German Unity Day reception recently.
Businessman Paul Issa (left) has a laugh with Dr. Oswald Harding.
Former Commonwealth Secretary-General and former Chancellor of UWI, Sir Shridath 'Sunny' Ramphall (left), is in town, and seems to be catching up the happenings from attorney Chris Bovell. They were seen at the Knutsford Court Hotel, New Kingston, last Wednesday.
smashing reception
My dears, the event was a rather smashing cocktail reception hosted by the ambassador and Jurgen Engel and his wife the charming Mrs. Ana-Maria Engel, at the Knutsford Court Hotel's Blue Mountain Suite, to celebrate Germany's post-Cold War unification, and my dears, the new Ambassador was not only on form, this his first official reception was a smasheroni, and then some!
My dears, the Blue Mountain Suite of the Knutsford Court Hotel, New Kingston, could be easily one of Kingston's best kept secrets! I mean my dears, the place is simply fabulous and then some, and with Kevin Hendrickson and Nicola Greg Madden overseeing last Wednesday night's do, you know we are talking one mighty fabulous outing and reception here!
And, my dears, it was truly that kind of a night, as aam-a-telling-you, this was one mighty fine outing, with social denizens and the German residents here out in fabulous numbers to mark the unification of the once divided economic powerhouse!
And so, my dears, with
Ambassador Jurgen Engel and his wife Mrs. Ana-Maria Engel, welcoming their guests before they were then ushered into the grand Blue Mountain Suite, it was all peaches and creme.
strengthening ties
It was an official reception, and save for the rendition of the national anthems of both Jamaica and Germany, and spirited welcoming remarks from the host. He reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the ties between Jamaica and Germany, one would be hard pressed to say it was an officious occasion.
In fact, it was a far cry from and it made for one simply marvellous outing, so much so that even though the invitation did stipulate from 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m., my dears, it was closer to 10:00 p.m. before the last guests left.
Among the fabulous guests were: Governor-General Professor Kenneth Hall and Mrs. Rheima Hall; The Most Hon. Glynne Manley; President of the Senate Senator Dr. Oswald and Marigold Harding; Senator Trevor MacMillan and wife Dr. Olivia McDonald; Security Minister the Hon. Derrick Smith; Transport Minister the Hon. Mike Henry; Minister Dwight Nelson; His Worship the Mayor Of Kingston and St. Andrew, Councillor Desmond McKenzie; Deputy Head of Mission of the German Embassy Mrs. Maria Friedrich-Boerger and her hubby Anton Boerger; the Hon. David Coore QC; Former Education Minister Dr. Mavis Gilmour-Petersen.
Also out were: British High Commissioner HE Jeremy Creswell and his lovely companion Dr. Barbara Munske; Spanish Ambassador HE Jesus Silva and his fabulous wife Mrs. Sara Silva, and his parents Jesus Silva-Porto and Maria Teresa Silva Porto; Canadian High Commissioner HE Denis Kingsley and his charming wife Mrs. Jo Anne Kingsley; Brazilian Ambassador HE Cezar Augusto de Souza Lima Amaral; Mexican Ambassador HE Leonora Rueda-Guttierrez; Argentinean Ambassador Mario Jose Pino and his elegant wife Mrs. Fanny Pino; Cuban Ambassador HE Gisela Garcia Rivera and her hubby D'orge Crespo and Colombian Ambassador HE Ventura Vaz.
Seen out too were: High Commissioner Cedric and Dr. Barbara Harper of St. Kitts and Nevis; U.S. Embassy Consul General Ed Wehrli and his absolutely charmingly fabulous wife Rose Wehrli; UNICEF's Bertrand Bainvel; Ambassador Madge Barrett and hubby Tunty Barrett; the esteemed Chris Bovell and his fabulous wife Mrs. Michelle Bovell; Joe Matalon and his tres elegant wife Bernadette Matalon; Mrs. Jennifer Lim; Honorary Consul of Iceland Robert MacMillan and Lisa Marzouca; Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of Thailand Thalia Lyn and hubby Capt. Michael Lyn; Honorary Consul of Ecuador Clelia Barreto de Hunter; Paul Issa and his fabulous wife Oriente Issa; Dr. Cezley Sampson; Drs. Richard and Carolyn Gomes; Uwe Kumst; Gerd Dreyer and his lovely wife fashion designer to the fabulous, Mrs. Elaine Dreyer; Frank Roushoevel; Joseph Auxilly and his companion the absolutely fabulous Sandra Shirley and Rudy Geschlusse.
Brothers George and Godfrey Kawass with their wives Hilda and Beverly Kawass; Isle Kessler; the oh so beautiful and fabulous Joan McDonald; Greg and Viv Lue-Tenn; Malcolm Bath and his fiancée, the lovely Christine Kaluza; the elegantly reserved Sharon Thomas and her sibling Karen Gentles; the lovely Anne McNamee; Maree Sigurdson.
And if a fabulous night was not good enough, there were some divine partings gifts, to boot, adding to the fullness of the evening, and then some! Indeed, it was a most auspicious introductory reception by Ambassador and Mrs Engel.
Dr. Martin Aub (right) and his wife Beth chat with Cedric Harper, High Commissioner of St. Vincent and Nevis, at the Federal Republic of Germany reception at Knutsford Court Hotel on Wednesday.
Frank Rosheuvel (left) of the Hilton Kingston hotel chats with Rachel Hernould (centre) and Juliet Thorburn at the German Unity Day reception recently.
These embassy ladies are feeling the warmth of the Germans. Shannan Johnston (left) from the Canadian High Commission, as well as Gillian Aptel and Rose Wehrli of the U.S. Embassy.
