Ambassador Yparraguirre addresses the guests at the Symposium on the

Life and Works of Dr. Jose P. Rizal, Museum für Völkerkunde, Hofburg Palace,

Vienna, 21 October 2011.

The Embassy of the Philippines in Vienna, Austria, in cooperation with the Museum für Völkerkunde Wien (Museum of Ethnology in Vienna), organized a symposium “Life and Works of Dr. Jose P. Rizal, the Philippine National Hero.” This project is part of the Embassy’s celebration of the 150^th Birth Anniversary of Dr. Jose P. Rizal.

Ambassador Lourdes O. Yparraguirre provided a comprehensive introduction on the biography and achievements of Rizal. Dr. Bernhard Dahm, Professor Emeritus of the University of Passau in Germany, lectured about his recent publications on Rizal and Dr. Johann Stockinger of the Academy of Sciences in Vienna talked about Dr. Blumentritt’s association/friendship with Rizal. The lectures were held on 21 October 2011 at the Museum für Völkerkunde, Hofburg Palace, Vienna.

Ambassador Yparraguirre addresses the guests at the Symposium on the

Life and Works of Dr. Jose P. Rizal, Museum für Völkerkunde, Hofburg Palace,

Vienna, 21 October 2011.

Dr. Bernhard Dahm, Professor Emeritus of the University of Passau, Germany,

lectured about his recent publication on Rizal.

Dr. Johann Stockinger, talked about the friendship between Rizal

and Dr. Ferdinand Blumentritt.

The symposium was attended by Austrian Government officials, academics, business community, leaders of the Filipino community in Austria, including second generation Filipino-Austrians.

During the symposium, the Museum presented the work of art of Mr. Erwin Blumentritt, great-grandson of Dr. Ferdinand Blumentritt, depicting Rizal’s novel Noli Me Tangere. Mr. Blumentritt, in turn, presented the Blumentritt family’s donation of collection of Rizal books to the Museum. 

Mr. Erwin Blumentritt, great-grandson of Dr. Ferdinand Blumentritt, presenting

his artwork depicting Rizal's novel "Noli Me Tangere".

Mr. Erwin Blumentritt, great-grandson of Dr. Ferdinand Blumentritt, reading

the message of the Blumentritt family on its donation of the family's

collection of Rizal books to the Museum of Ethnology.

Ambassador Yparraguirre also took the occasion to award a Plaque of Recognition to Dr. Angelina Del Rosario-Banke, President of Rizal-Blumentritt Society Austria (RBSA), in recognition and appreciation of her outstanding work as one of the founders of RBSA and her continued support and promotion of the Philippine culture in Austria.

The Rizal-Blumentritt Society Austria Youth Ensemble serenaded the guests with Philippine music classics such as Bakya Mo Neneng. Leron-Leron Sinta, Dandansoy and Bahay-Kubo. The group is composed of five (5) second-generation Filipino-Austrian artists: Ms. Mia Banke (piano), Ms. Aureen Quimzon (cello), Ms. Valerie Hruska (violin), and Mr. Dominic Hruska (flute).

Amb. Yparraguirre presented the Plaque of Recognition to Dr. Angelina del Rosario-Banke,

President of Rizal-Blumentritt Society Austria.

The Rizal-Blumentritt Society Austria Youth Ensemble serenading the guests

after the lectures.

The guests feasted on Lumpia Shanghai, banana cake and ube (purple-yum) cake.