70 years of independence – Tunisia’s National Day
The Tunisian Ambassador, H.E. Wacef Chiha, during his speech
In his speech, the ambassador attempted, as he jokingly announced, to take the audience on a journey through 3,000 years of Tunisian history in five minutes. He portrayed it as a continuous movement of progress, beginning with the Phoenician founding of Carthage, through the Roman and Byzantine Empires, via the Islamisation of the 7th century, to the reform movements of the 19th and 20th centuries and the current peacekeeping military missions. He concluded with a plea for the Palestinians’ right to their own state. He described German-Tunisian bilateral relations as friendly and characterised by mutual support. On the German side, Dr Christian Buck, Head of the Political Department at the Federal Foreign Office, emphasised the good economic relations that benefit both countries and praised Tunisia as an attractive tourist destination.
This was followed by a fashion show featuring extraordinary designs by the Tunisian designer Sofian Ben Gamra. Afterwards, the Ambassador hosted a buffet featuring Tunisian specialities.
Dr Christian Buck, Federal Foreign Office
From left: The Ambassador of Tunisia and H.E. Larbi El Hadj Ali, the Ambassador of Algeria
The Tunisian Ambassador and his wife welcome the guests. Pictured here: the Romanian Ambassador, H.E. Adriana-Loreta Stănescu
The Tunisian Ambassador and the Ambassador of Luxembourg, H.E. Sylvie Lucas
Latin America meets the Maldives:
f.l.: H.E. Yadir Salazar Mejía, Ambassador of Colombia; H.E. Augusto Arzubiaga Scheuch, Ambassador of Peru; H.E. Aishath Shaan Shakir, Ambassador of the Maldives; H.E. Rodrigo de Lima Baena Soares, Ambassador of Brazil; H.E. Vladimir Adolfo Franco Sousa, Ambassador of Panama; H.E. Juana Martinez Gonzalez, Ambassador of Cuba
f.l.: H.E. Mafelile Molala, Ambassador of Lesotho; Andries Oosthuizen, Deputy Head of Mission, South Africa; H.E. Alice Mashingaidze, Ambassador of Zimbabwe; H.E. Dr Jerobeam Shaanika, Ambassador of Namibia; Dr Irene Ernst, CEO of Diplomatisches Magazin
Seven models showcased designs by Tunisian designer Sofian Ben Gamra (third from the right) – a fascinating blend of oriental design and Western fashion influences
The designer Sofian Ben Gamra with one of his models