Tag: Embassy

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Joly calls Canadian official’s attendance at Russian Embassy event ‘unacceptable’ | CBC News

Joly calls Canadian official's attendance at Russian Embassy event 'unacceptable' | CBC News

Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly says it was unacceptable for a Canadian official to have attended a reception hosted by the Russian Embassy and promised that no similar incidents would occur again.

The statement follows reporting by the Globe and Mail that Yasemin Heinbecker, the deputy chief of protocol at the Global Affairs department, attended a Russia Day celebration at the Russian Embassy in Ottawa Friday night. The holiday commemorates Russia’s constitutional reform at the end of the Soviet era.

Heinbecker’s attendance comes as Canada and its allies have pushed back against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which Moscow calls a “special military operation.”

“This is unacceptable. No Canadian representative should have attended the event hosted at the Russian Embassy [and] no Canadian representative will attend this kind of event again,” Joly wrote in a tweet Sunday night.

She reiterated that Canada continues to support Ukraine.

WATCH | ‘No Canadian representative will attend this kind of event again,’ Joly says:

Unacceptable’ that Canadian official attended Russian Embassy event: Joly

Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said it was unacceptable for a Canadian official to have attended a reception hosted by the Russian Embassy, and promised it wouldn’t happen again.

A Global Affairs Canada spokesperson said the decision to send a protocol officer to the reception was made by the department. 

“No Canadian representative should have attended the event hosted at the Russian Embassy and no Canadian representative will attend this kind of event in the future,” said the GAC statement.

“Russian officials will not be invited to Canada Day events hosted by the department.”

Diplomats from other countries attended

Russian Ambassador to Canada Oleg Stepanov said he appreciated Heinbecker coming to the event.

“We believe diplomacy is an all-weather instrument and diplomatic protocol is an important part of upkeeping the bilateral communications. Diplomacy is about dialogue,” he said in a statement. 

“We don’t look at Canada through the adversarial optic and are ready to patiently wait when [Prime Minister Justin] Trudeau’s cabinet or the next government come to understand that it’s in Canadian national interest to pursue good-neighbourly relations with Russia.”

The embassy said Joly was also invited to the reception and said diplomats from other countries attended.

Since the assault in Ukraine began in February, the Canadian government has imposed sanctions on individuals with ties to Russia and sent military supplies, including ammunition, to aid Ukrainian troops.

Last week, the RCMP disclosed that assets and transactions worth more than $400 million Cdn have been sanctioned as a result of Moscow’s war on Ukraine. 

Conservative interim leader Candice Bergen said the Liberal government should do more to isolate Vladimir Putin’s regime, including expelling Russian diplomats.

“Instead of endorsing the lavish, Kremlin-backed celebration at the Russian embassy, the Liberal government should be working with countries like Egypt, Pakistan and those in Africa to prevent Putin’s illegal war from causing a global food crisis which will hurt developing countries the most,” she said in a statement.

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Embassy hosting events this week marking century of US-Estonian relations

Embassy hosting events this week marking century of US-Estonian relations

On Monday, May 9, U.S. Embassy officials will visit the southern border city of Valga, where they will meet with students at Valga High School as well as host a concert featuring the U.S. Army Europe and Africa Band and Chorus’ Soldiers’ Chorus at the Valga Cultural Center (Kesk 1), according to a press release.

On Tuesday, May 10, Charge d’Affaires Brian Roraff will visit the Central Estonian city of Viljandi, where he will meet with local municipal leaders and students as well as visit the American Corner at Viljandi City Library.

That evening, the U.S. Embassy will host another free concert featuring the Soldiers’ Chorus at the Estonian Traditional Music Center (Tasuja pst 6).

On Wednesday, May 11, embassy officials and members of the Soldiers’ Chorus will meet with students at Tallinn Südalinna School.

That evening, the U.S. Embassy will host a third free concert featuring the Soldiers’ Chorus at the Lindakivi Cultural Center (Jaan Koorti 22) in cooperation with Lasnamäe District.

All three concerts are open to the public, with free admission, and begin at 6 p.m.

Under the direction of Lt. Col. Randall Bartel, the U.S. Army Europe and Africa Band and Chorus’ Soldiers’ Chorus is stationed in Sembach, Germany.

The chorus currently serves as the U.S. Army’s premier musical ambassadors in Europe and Africa, performing more than 200 missions each year across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The group last performed in Estonia in July 2021.

Embassy celebrating with 100-day program

Diplomatic relations between the United States and the Republic of Estonia were formally established on July 28, 1922.

On Tuesday, April 19, the U.S. Embassy in Tallinn launched its “100 Days to 100 Years” campaign celebrating the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and Estonia.

As part of the campaign, the embassy is cooperating with partners across Estonia to mark the jubilee, with plans including the publishing of a book on U.S.-Estonian relations by the University of Tartu, a conference co-hosted by Estonia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take place on June 17, a documentary to be aired on ETV and ETV+ in July, as well as several other musical performances, exhibitions, films and other cultural activities across the country, “from Kuressaare to Narva, and Valga to Tallinn.”

100 highlights of the past century

As part of the celebrations, the U.S. Embassy also launched USandEstonia.ee, a website featuring 100 moments from the first 100 years of the two countries’ relations, including contributions of the Estonian-American diaspora.

“Grouped into diplomatic milestones, security engagements, cultural events, and economic connections, these moments demonstrate the enduring friendship the United States and Estonia have shared over the past century,” the introduction states.

For additional information on “100 Days to 100 Years” activities, follow the U.S. Embassy in Tallinn on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram as well as check out the hashtag #US100EE.

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Wharf Winter Games, Museum Exhibits, Embassy Events: Last-Minute DC-Area Weekend Ideas 2/10-2/13

Wharf Winter Games, Museum Exhibits, Embassy Events: Last-Minute DC-Area Weekend Ideas 2/10-2/13

Hope Your Team Wins! (Yay Sports!)

Hello Neighbor,

On our radar this week we are highlighting celebrations and embassy-sponsored events. Here are some announcements and round-ups for you: 

 

 So, What Should You Do?

For your convenience, this newsletter includes emojis to help you during these unprecedented times: 

  • The 🛋 indicates an event is happening in-person inside.
  • The 🌲 indicates an event is happening in-person outside. 
  • The 💻 indicates an event is happening virtually. 
  • And lastly, the 🆓 indicates an event is free. 
  • The 💉 indicates an event requires proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test. 

 

Your Last-Minute Weekend Plans

1. Since the weather will be nice on Saturday. 😎🌞☀️🌤 Head early to the Wharf Winter Games (Sat, 🆓, 🌲, The Wharf) for a chance to play ice cornhole and pin-the-tail-on-the-husky. Support local by heading to the Valentine’s Day Sidewalk Market (Sat, 🆓, 🌲, Mount Pleasant), the Shop Local for Your Valentine Market (Sat, 🆓, 🌲, Tysons), or the openings of Petit Soeur (Sat, $, 🛋, Georgetown) and Black Box Botanical (Sat, $, 🛋, Takoma). Give back by volunteering at a Columbia Heights clean-up (Sat, 🆓, 🌲, Columbia Heights). Visit the baby porcupette at the Smithsonian Zoo (Thurs-Sun, 🆓 but need timed passes,🌲/🛋, Woodley Park).

 2. Since the weather will be terrible on Sunday. 🥶🧊❄️☁️ Stay indoors and visit these exhibits before they close at the end of the month: “Aquatint: From Its Origins to Goya” at the National Gallery of Art (daily, 🆓, 🛋/💉, National Mall) and “Caravans of Gold, Fragments in Time: Art, Culture, and Exchange across Medieval Saharan Africa” at the African Art Museum (Wed-Sun, 🆓, 🛋, National Mall). Test new heights at a bouldering gym in the area such as Brooklyn Boulders ($29 day pass) or Movement Climbing ($27 day pass). Break free from the streaming algorithm and watch a film at AFI Silver Theatre or Landmark E Street Theatre.

3. Celebrating the performing arts. 🎫 See Iké Udé’s “Nollywood Portraits” (ongoing, 🆓, 🛋, National Mall), which highlights the rich talent behind Nigeria’s $3 billion film industry. Watch Columbia Heights’ Gala Hispanic Theatre recently debuted play “La Casa de La Laguna” (till Feb 27, $, 🛋/💉, Columbia Heights). There aren’t many tickets left, but you might be able to catch the Washington Ballet’s “Swan Lake” (Thurs-Sun, $25+, 🛋/💉, Kennedy Center) or “50 Years of Broadway at the Kennedy Center” (Sat, $59+, 🛋/💉, Kennedy Center). Head to H Street for a three-course dinner at Sospeso + Prologue Theater play performance combo (Sat, $75+, 🛋/💉, H St).

4. Comedic relief for love in a swamp. 😅😓 For those needing a chuckle, consider stopping by a comedy show about awkward sex experiences (Fri, $20, 🛋/💉, 14th St) or a community open-mic (may I call it community-healing?) about how “Love Hurts” (Thurs, $15, 🛋/💉, The Wharf). Not sure what this is, but a “texts to your ex” wall (Sat, 🆓, 🛋/💉, West End) sounds intriguing. And if you need something very different, swing by a gory Violent-ine’s Day Massacre drag show (Fri, 🆓, 🛋/💉, NoMA).

5. A hodgepodge of ideas. 💫  Join Blk Fwr Mrkt at Shopkeepers DC for a speed smudging workshop (Sat, $35, 🛋/💉, H St.). Head to Merriweather District for their Glow on Ice ice-skating event (every Thurs, 50% off tickets, 🌲, Columbia). Maybe you might know someone who would benefit from a Taxes for Artists workshop (Thurs, 🆓, 💻). Run in your underwear as part of the Cupid’s Undie Run (Feb 12, $35 to register, Penn Quarter) to raise money to find a cure for neurofibromatosis. For those wanting a squad-get-together-Insta-worthy experience, consider stopping by the Haus of Cupid at the Sun Room (Sat, $92+, 🛋/💉, Eckington).

 

What Is On Our Radar: Cultural Events

Here is an overview of some celebrations and embassy-sponsored events that have caught our attention: 

    • A French astrophysicist leaving Earth and her daughter. 🇫🇷🚀 The Embassy of France is hosting a film screening of “Proxima” as part of a film series celebrating the French Presidency of the European Union (Feb 10, $5, 🛋/💉, Glover Park). 
    • Poetics of the Hispanism diaspora. 🇪🇸🖋 The Cultural Office of the Embassy of Spain will be hosting Spanish comic author Anapurna about comic art and her creative process (Feb 16, 🆓, 🛋/💉, Columbia Heights) .
    • Celebrating 70 years of Mexican traditional dance. 🇲🇽💃🏾 The Ballet Folklorico de Mexico de Amalia Hernandez returns to DC at the Lincoln Theater in partnership with the Mexican Cultural Institute (Feb 25, $30+, 🛋/💉, U St).
    • Fat Tuesday Parade 🤝 Fireworks 🤝 Ice Sculptures. 👑🧊🎇 Head to Navy Yard and the Wharf for a day of celebration. Start at Ice Yards with ax throwing and a snowboarding stimulator before watching the Mardi Gras Parade and fireworks (Feb 26, $15 for Ice Yards, 🌲, Navy Yard) and (Feb 26, 🆓 for Mardi Gras, 🌲, The Wharf). 
    • Piano concert for Ukraine. 🇺🇦🎹 The Embassy of Ukraine in partnership with the US Ukrainian Activists will host a charity concert in commemoration of the Heavenly Hundred. There will be hors d’oeuvres and wine as well as a photo exhibit “Maidan in Washington, DC” on display (Feb 26, $25+, 🛋/💉, Georgetown). 
    • The future of Indigenous cultures. 🇸🇪🖼 The House of Sweden will host an exhibit entitled “Artic Highways,” which features artworks by Sami and Indigenous artists exploring what it means to be “unbounded” (debuts March 5).
    • Japanese street festival. 🇯🇵🌸 In its 60th year, the Japan-America Society of Washington DC invites the public to Sakura Matsuri, the largest celebration of Japanese culture in the United States (April 9-10, $10+, 🌲, Downtown). 

          Jade (@clockoutdc) 

Jade Womack is an energy economist by day, and an events blogger by night. She started her blog, Clockout DC, when she was moonlighting as a bartender in 2019. She grew up in Arlington, and currently lives in Adams Morgan with her dog.