A morning with a strong symbolic and diplomatic value marked the agenda of Civic Palace in LuganoMayor Michele Foletti, Deputy Mayor Roberto Badaracco and Municipal Councillor Marco Chiesa welcomed the guests for a courtesy visit. His Excellency Bernard Faustino M. Dy, Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to Switzerland, accompanied by Anna Margherita Maffeis-Natale, Honorary Consul of the Philippines in Ticino.
The meeting was also attended by Paul Maiullari, responsible for research and exhibition activities of the Museum of Cultures (MUSEC), and Martin Kurer, a collector who has contributed to the cultural dialogue between Europe and Asia for years.
Condolences and closeness
In his remarks, Mayor Foletti expressed his sympathy to the Filipino people following the recent earthquake that struck the country, causing deaths and widespread destruction. "Our community," he stated, "stands in solidarity with the families of those affected and the rescue workers working tirelessly in the devastated areas." These words were welcomed with gratitude by the ambassador, who reiterated his desire to strengthen bilateral relations with Switzerland, and particularly with Ticino.
The role of the Philippine consulate and ambassador in Ticino
Since its opening in 2018, the Honorary Consulate of the Philippines in Ticino has played a key role in promoting dialogue between the two communities. This partnership, in close collaboration with the Embassy, has strengthened not only institutional but also social and cultural ties.
Culture as a bridge
The visit to Lugano was enriched by a cultural stop: the Philippine ambassador was able to admire the exhibition “Spirit of Simplicity. The Martin Kurer Collection”, set up at MUSEC. The exhibition brings together sixty works from the Philippine Cordillera and contemporary Asian art, the fruit of Kurer's research and passion for collecting.
Mayor Foletti emphasized that MUSEC is now recognized not only as a leading museum institution, but also as a center for exchange and research, capable of engaging with universities, cultural institutions, and publishing houses internationally. Over the past two decades, the museum has significantly expanded its collections, consolidating an identity that extends beyond the canton's borders.
Diplomacy and the future
The Philippine Ambassador's presence in Lugano, welcomed with respect and attention, is part of a collaborative process that unites political institutions, local communities, and the cultural world. This opportunity confirms how Ticino, a crossroads of international relations, continues to be fertile ground for new forms of cooperation and dialogue.
