First ever Dutch translation of El Filibusterismo launched in The Hague

 
By Sir Anton Lutter, KCR
The Hague-The Netherlands
February 12, 2020
 
 


 

The Order of Knights of Rizal together with the Embassy of the Philippines at The Hague launched the Dutch translation of El Filibusterismo by Jose Rizal on the 6^th of February at the Museum Sophiahof.

After welcoming words by the chapter commander of Knights of Rizal The Hague Chapter Sir Anton Lutter , KCR, Philippines’ Ambassador to The Netherlands H.E. Jaime Victor Ledda held an interesting expose about Dr. Jose Rizal and his connection with The Netherlands. He mentioned the fact - although Rizal - never visited The Netherlands, the El Filibusterismo was clearly influenced by one of Netherlands’ greatest literary works the 19^th century Max Havelaar by Multatuli. After ambassador Ledda, the renowned Rizal scholar from Belgium Lucien Spittael entertained the attendants with a visual history of Rizal’s life in Europe, which brought us through countries like Great Britain, Swiss, Germany, France and Belgium.

Finally, Jan Mulder’s lecture placed Rizal in the historical context of the 19^th century in comparison with the Netherlands-Indies (nowadays Indonesia). This included also the earlier mentioned author Multatuli, who was in fact the civil servant Eduard Douwes Dekker, who wrote the Max Havelaar based on his experiences in the residency Banten on Java. Of course the first exemplar of El Filibusterismo, translated from the original Spanish version, as De Revolutie, was presented to Ambassador Ledda by the translator and publisher Gerard Arp . The former profusely thanked Mr. Arp for his contribution to promote the legacy of Dr. Jose Rizal, by publishing this Dutch translation. The gathering included many guests from Philippine’s Diaspora, academe as well as many others. From the diplomatic corps the representatives from the Embassies of Indonesia and Malaysia and the Offices of the Minister-Plenipotentiary of Curaçao and Sint Maarten were there. Also attending was the Honorary Consul-General of The Philippines at Amsterdam Eppo Horlings , a Knight of Rizal.The Order of the Knights of Rizal is the sole official order of knighthood in The Philippines and created to honor and uphold the ideals of José Rizal. Next to Dutch knights a large delegation from Brussels attended the launching. Including the European Regional Commander Sir Albert Arevalo , KGOR and deputy Sir Juanito Villa , KGOR, former European commanders Honorary Consul Sir Tony Guansing , KGCR and Sir Lino Paras , KGCR. The latter being the sole person ever to have been awarded the Pro Patria Award outside of The Philippines. Earlier in his career ambassador Ledda - when he was posted in Belgium - was the chapter commander of the El Filibusterismo Chapter in Brussels.