Members and friends of Damayan gather on-stage to celebrate their 25th
anniversary
The Philippine-German folklore group “Damayan” celebrated its 25th anniversary in Osnabrück, Germany thru an evening of folklore and dance under the theme “Pista sa Nayon.” “We want to celebrate our jubilee year by allowing our guests to experience true Filipino culture,” remarked Elizabeth Tiemann, Chairperson of the Damayan Philippinische-Deutsche Folkloregruppe e.V.
In his welcome speech, Mr. Jens Martin of the SPD Party in the Osnabrück city council was all praises for the dance group Damayan, saying that he has heard so much positive news about the group. “Upon hearing such stories, I think: this is how integration should work. This is why I am grateful for the commitment of the association in the past 25 years,” he said.
Minister and Consul Adrian Cruz, who represented the Philippine Embassy in Berlin, expressed his heartfelt congratulations to the group for celebrating its silver jubilee. In the spirit of “damayan” or “solidarity,” he also encouraged the group to partner with the Philippine Embassy in its conduct of mobile outreach missions and dialogues with Filipinos living in Lower Saxony, and even with those who have already become naturalized German citizens.
Consul Cruz joins two ati-atihan dancers for a photo-op
The dance group “Damayan” presently seeks new members – interested Filipinos and Germans alike – who wish to learn about Philippine culture through indigenous dances. Damayan also engages in various charity activities, which include the sponsoring of a charity for children with leukemia and providing financial contribution for the reconstruction of houses devastated by Typhoon Haiyan in 2014. The proceeds of their recent event will be provided to Nehemia Christliches Hilfswerk e.V. for its relief operations benefiting the orphaned children in Apayao, Northern Philippines. (END)
