European cultural organization launched

Manila, Philippines - Cultural organization European Union National Institutes for Culture Cluster (EUNIC) Philippines was officially created on Thursday to improve cultural ties between the country and the embassies of European Union member states in Manila.

The founding document of the EUNIC Cluster Philippines was signed by Alliance Francaise de Manille president Deanna Ongpin-Recto, Italian Ambassador Luca Fornari, Goethe-Institut Philippinen director Richard Kunzel and Philippine Italian Association president Zenaida Tantoco at the Alliance Francaise de Manille in Makati City.

“After the founding, we will have names and faces and we will step up the institution. We will be more focused on innovation,” Kunzel said.

The organization aims to propagate cultural exchange between the Philippines and EU member states through cultural activities.

Some of the established cultural activities hosted by embassies of EU member states in the Philippines are the Silent Film Festival and Cine Europa.

France and Germany have signed a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Education for extensive language training in high schools and colleges in the Philippines to give graduates the opportunity to pursue further studies in Europe.