KREUZLINGEN FEST 2019 FEATURES THE PHILIPPINES

The Philippine Embassy joined the municipality of Kreuzlingen in the canton of Thurgau in its celebration of the “Kreuzulingen Fest – We are 100% Kreuzlingen” on Saturday, 15 June 2019.

The festival has the Philippines as the feature country for 2019. It was participated in by 40 countries. A colourful parade, which featured an Ati-atihan dance, highlighted the event that drew hundreds of spectators.

                                                    Minister and Consul General Josephine M. Reynante (2^nd from right) and Kreuzlingen Mayor Thomas Niederberger (3^rd from right), with the Filipino Community

                                                   join the Kreuzlingen Fest 2019 parade.

The Ati-atihan performers lead the Philippine contingent, with Minister and Consul General Reynante (in barong holding the Philippine flag) during the 2019 Kreuzlingen Fest parade.

                                                                                                             Minister and Consul General Reynante delivers her remarks during the 2019 Kreuzlingen Fest

In her remarks during the event, Minister and Consul General Josephine Reynante, thanked Kreuzlingen Mayor Thomas Niederberger, the City Council, and the member of the Foreigners’ Council of Kreuzlingen for choosing the Philippines as the host country. She also said it is “truly heart-warming for us to share our distinct Filipino traditions and values with all of you here today not only because it serves as a medium to further enhance our people-to-people links, but more importantly as a means to promote better understanding among nations and peoples.

Minister and Consul General Reynante also mentioned the Philippines’ commitment to and quest for peace and development and acknowledged Switzerland’s important role in this effort by chairing the Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission in the Bangsamoro Peace Process between the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. She also thanked Switzerland for welcoming Filipinos into its society, and noted that Filipinos in Switzerland are well integrated into the Swiss society and more important, productively contributing to its economy.

In addition to the parade, a Philippine booth which features Philippine products was also set up. A forum on the Philippines was also held, with Ms. Teresita Papa, member of the Kreuzlingen Foreigners Board, and Ms. Liza Tongco, FilCom leader in Kreuzlingen, sharing information about the Philippines with their Swiss and other foreign audience.

                                                                                                                                                   The Philippine booth featuring Philippine products. 

                                                                                                    The Municipal building of Kreuzlingen flies the Philippine Flag along with the Swiss Flag during the fest.

                                                           The forum on the Philippines with Ms. Teresita Papa (2^nd from right), member of the Kreuzlingen Foreigners Board, and Ms. Liza Tongco (2^nd from left),

Kreuzlingen FilCom leader, as resource persons.

                                                                                                               FilCom members with Swiss friends in Filipiniana attire join the Kreuzlingen Fest parade

                                                                                                                                   FilCom members pose for a souvenir photo after the event.