Germans mark Day of Unity
Published: Friday | October 9, 2009
Lois Cowling (left) and Ambassador Madge Barrett enjoying some fine wine at the reception. - photos by Colin Hamilton
It was the type of reception that made you appreciate history even more.
Germans in Jamaica, led by Ambassador Jurgen Engel, celebrated the German Day of Unity on Monday with a reception at the Knutsford Court Hotel. Ambassador Engel pointed out that 2009 was a great year for Germans to celebrate as it marked the 60th anniversary of the German Constitution and 20 years of the Berlin Wall's fall.
The angelic voice of German opera singer Nastassja Nass performing the Jamaican and German anthems was the first moment of brilliance at the affair. The ambassador showed his jocular side by mentioning the love Germans have for the island and even brought out a miniature version of Berlino (the World Championships' mascot), reminiscing on the performance of Jamaica's athletes at the recent event.
But there was a more poignant feel to the address as he read words from the German president, who called for global solidarity on various issues including poverty and climate change. And, of course, there was a toast to the Jamaican-German Association for its continued efforts to mix both cultures.
Guests out included Deputy Prime Minister Dr Ken Baugh, Ricardo Allicock, Ambassador Maxine Roberts and sister Valerie, Chilean Ambassador Alfred Garcia and wife Luz Santamaria, Ambassador of Senegal Dr Nafissatou Diagne, European Union head of Delegation Ambassador Marco Mazzocchi Alemanni and wife Fiela, Belgian Ambassador Frederic Meurice and wife Lydie, US Charge' d'affaires Isiah Parnell and wife Tammie, Peter Ashbourne and Rosina Moder, Colonel Trevor MacMillan, Hugh and Ouida Dunphy and Delano Franklyn.
Chinese Ambassador Chen Jinghua (left) greets Ana-Martha Engel while German Ambassador Jurgen Engel looks on.
From left: Alastair MacBeath, Carol MacBeath and Camille Hines in animated discussion.
Delano Franklyn chats with Sharon Marston.
Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Dr Ken Baugh (left) shares a toast with German Ambassador Jurgen Engel and wife, Ana-Martha.
Dr Mavis Gilmore (left) and Ulla Wykoff pose for the camera.
German Soprano Nastassja Nass and Michael Kroner, counsellor at the German Embassy, find the funny side of things.
