Senator Legarda (center) hands over a token to officials of the Berlin Ethnological Museum. From left: Third Secretary and Vice Consul Alvin Malasig (Philippine Embassy), Dr. Maria Gaida (Head, Collections Depart-ment) Dr. Lars Christian Koch (Director, Berlin Ethnological Museum), Dr. Roland Platz (Curator, Southeast Asian collection).
During her recent visit to Germany, Senator Loren Legarda took the opportunity to support the Philippine Embassy in Berlin’s efforts to secure the loan of Rizal artifacts from the Berlin Ethnological Museum.
In her meeting last April 5 with Dr. Lars Christian Koch, newly-appointed director of the Ethnological Museum, the Senator stressed the importance that the Philippines attaches to the artifacts. She also conveyed her appreciation for the Ethnological Museum’s willingness to lend such an important part of its extensive Southeast Asian collection to the National Museum of the Philippines.
Dr. Rizal, who actively engaged in various intellectual pursuits during his stay in Germany from 1886 to 1887, donated to the Ethnological Museum items such as traditional Filipino clothing, including a Barong Tagalog, and indigenous fabric from Mindanao.
“The artifacts are tangible proof of the longstanding friendship and strong people-to-people ties between the Philippines and Germany. The fact that they were donated personally by no less than our revered national hero gives them even greater intrinsic value,” Senator Legarda said.
“There are, of course, administrative and logistical concerns that we have to address as these are fragile objects that require utmost care. But I am happy to note that the Embassy, the National Museum of the Philippines, and the Ethnological Museum are all eager and committed to seeing this project come to fruition,” the Senator added.
The two museums, with the assistance of the Embassy, have started initial preparations for the loan. Plans have also been drawn for the mounting of a special exhibit in 2020 at the National Museum featuring the donated artifacts along with Rizal-related artworks and original manuscripts of his literary works, among others. END
Some of the artifacts in the Berlin Ethnological Museum’s Rizal collection.
