Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya joined the Philippine Ambassador to Belgium Eduardo Jose de Vega to commemorate the 130th Anniversary of the Publication of Dr. Jose Rizal’s novel El Filibusterismo last Saturday, 25 September 2021 in Ghent, Belgium.
Ghent is the city in Belgium where Rizal published his second novel, El Filibusterismo, in September 1891. El Filibusterismo was printed by F. Meyer - Van Loo Press originally in Spanish. It was later translated into Filipino, English, German, French, Dutch, Japanese and other languages.
During the occasion, Ambassador Malaya and Sir Anton Lutter, Commander of the Knights of Rizal The Hague Chapter, presented a copy of the new Dutch translation of El Filibusterismo to the Mayor of Ghent Mathias De Clercq. The translation was made by Mr. Gerard Arp of The Hague.
The event was organized by the Knights of Rizal (KOR) Belgium Chapter, in coordination with Philippine Embassy in Brussels and Municipality of Ghent.
The commemoration program commenced with a flower offering at the historical marker of the publishing house. A reception followed at the Ghent’s historic City Hall and launch of the book De Filipijnen (de eilanden van het western) by Peter de Bruyn. An exhibition of paintings and book collection on the life and works of Dr. Rizal were also on display.
Members of the KOR The Hague Chapter who attended the commemoration were Messrs. Anton Lutter and Steef Klarenbeek. Joining them were incoming members Mr. Alexander Onia and Mr. Eugene Sinlao. Consul Jarie Osias, founding member of the Knights of Rizal, Rome Chapter and now member of The Hague Chapter, also attended the event.
