World-class artists rally around exiled professor: Filipino community
in the Netherlands to hold cultural evening for Professor Jose Maria Sison
The governments of the U.S. and Europe have tagged him a “terrorist”,
but a group of artists along with the Filipino community and supporters
in the Netherlands are challenging this label in a cultural evening to
uphold the democratic rights of Prof. Jose Maria Sison. Titled “Portrait
of a Revolutionary”, the cultural event will take place October 16, 2004
in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
By donating their songs, poetry, performances, and art work, the artists and organizers hope to show their solidarity with Professor Sison who was unjustly branded a “terrorist” by the U.S. and European governments in 2002. Prof. Sison has been living in exile from the Philippines since 1987, and the organizers of the cultural evening believe that his persecution must end. The cultural event will be part of an ongoing and growing international campaign launched in defense of Prof. Sison against his unjust “terrorist” label.
Joining this cause, world-class and internationally renowned artists and local performers will be coming together in this highly-anticipated cultural evening. Accomplished and internationally-acclaimed, sculptor, printmaker, and painter Manuel D. Baldemor from Laguna, Philippines has donated four wood cut prints. These stunning pieces of artwork that invoke the rustic sentiment of the Philippine provincial landscape and peasant life, will be on display during the evening and will form the center piece for the silent auction fundraiser.
Also joining the bill is Rica Nepomuceno, soprano soloist now studying her craft in Bologna, Italy. She has performed in a wide variety of operas with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra including The Bells and Carmina Burana. She will sing kundimans. The first time she came to perform in the Netherlands was in 1997.
Unlike other such cultural evenings and tributes that were held in his defense, Professor Sison will be available for autograph session and photo opportunities as the travel ban imposed on him restricts his travel within the Netherlands. He will autograph copies of the book, At Home in the World (Portrait of a Revolutionary), which he has co-authored with the famous Filipina novelist Nonotchka Rosca. His other books and CDs of songs will also be available for sale.
Organizers hope that the evening will raise awareness about Prof. Sison’s
case and the legitimate struggle of the Filipino people for genuine independence,
democracy,
social justice and peace.#
Portrait of a Revolutionary: A cultural evening to uphold the democratic
rights of Jose Maria Sison
ISH Institute
Beijersweg 18
Amsterdam
17.30 doors open
18.00 Autograph session with Joma Sison and Art Exhibit
19.00 Cultural Show
22.00 Music, Mingling, Dancing
10 euros entrance fee, includes snacks
Proceeds will go to the Committee DEFEND-Netherlands and the Legal
Defense Fund account established by the Archibishop of the Oud Katholiek
Kerk.
For more information or tickets, contact Jun at 030-231-0431.
“Anak Pawis” 18 X 24, Ink and Acrylic, 1999
Manuel D. Baldemor
Four Baldemor wood cut prints, similar to the style of Anak Pawis, will
be auctioned
at the cultural event.
Rica Nepomuceno, soprano soloist of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra,
will
sing kundimans in the cultural event.