The official opening of the Whales Tohora exhibition at the Canadian Museum of Nature was co-hosted by the New Zealand High Commission. From left, Canadian Museum of Nature CEO Meg Beckel, vice-chair Nicholas Offord and New Zealand Deputy High Commissioner Felicity Buchanan. (Photo: Martin Lipman)Chinese Ambassador Junsai Zhang was the final speaker at Carleton University’s Ambassadors Speakers Series (Photo: Patrick Hollier)Nigerian Foreign Minister Olugbenga Ashiru signed a binational agreement with his counterpart, Foreign Minister John Baird in Ottawa. (Photo: Manuel Junior De La Cruz)The second annual Bright Nights Baltic-Nordic Film Festival was launched at the Lithuanian embassy. From left, the Canadian Film Institute’s Jennifer Zaret, Lithuanian diplomat Tomas Margaitis and Norwegian diplomat Synne Slettebo. (Credit: Ulle Baum)The German Embassy hosted an evening at the National Arts Centre to celebrate Oscar Peterson’s time spent in the Black Forest. From left, German Ambassador Georg Witschel, Matthias Brunner-Schwer and former Prime Minister Jean Chretien. (Photo: Jennifer Campbell)Dancer Celine Dikaubas performs at Africa Day, an extravaganza at the Government Conference Centre, which brought together 30 embassies and high commissions for food and performances. (Photo: Ulle Baum)Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk visited the Library of Parliament during Mr. Tusk’s May visit. (Photo: PMO)Children from Fern Hill School took part in an art contest sponsored by the Netherlands Embassy called “van Gogh goes to school.” Simone Bakker, second secretary for cultural and political affairs at the embassy, visited the school and children, from left, Marika Garzoni, Connor Douglas (grandson of former Canadian ambassador William Clarke) and Rohan Vermeij. (Photo: Natasha Moine)Albanian Foreign Minister Edmond Haxhinasto visited Ottawa in May. (Photo: Sam Garcia)Albanian Ambassador Elida Petoshati, right, and Lithuanian Ambassador Ginte Damusis enjoy Norway’s National Day party (Photo: Ulle Baum)Norwegian Ambassador Else Berit Eikeland, right, and Israeli Ambassador Miriam Ziv at Norway’s National Day party. (Photo: Ulle Baum)Irish Ambassador Raymond Bassett hosted a St. Patrick’s Day party, which Cicilia Rusdiharini, minister-counsellor for Indonesia, attended. (Photo: Ulle Baum)Bangladeshi High Commissioner Yakub Ali hosted a national day reception at the St. Elias Centre. From left, his wife, Mehera Yakub, Mr. Ali and Cuban Ambassador Teresita Vicente Sotolongo. (Photo: Sam Garcia)Qatar Ambassador Salem Al-Shafi presented McGill University’s Institute of Islamic Studies with a $1.25 million gift from his country. Heather Munroe-Blum, principal and vice-chancellor of McGill, received the cheque. (Photo: Qatar embassy)The Canadian Federation of University Women’s Ottawa Diplomatic Hospitality Group, with Otto's BMW, organized a visit to Sucrerie du Terroir in Val-des-Monts for diplomatic spouses. Here, Hana Bartonova, of Slovakia, learns where syrup comes from. (Photo by Ulle Baum)Mayor Jim Watson and Deputy Mayor Steve Desroches met with a South Korean trade delegation. From left, Steve Desroches, deputy mayor; Jung Min Kim, deputy minister, office for development and settlement of Sejong-City, and Mayor Jim Watson. (Photo: Roger Lalonde)The Parnassos Hellenic Cultural Society and the embassy of Greece co-hosted a “celebration of Greek wines” at the Hellenic Centre. From left, Greek Ambassador Eleftherios Anghelopoulos and Slovak Ambassador Milan Kollár. (Photo: Sam Garcia)National Gallery director Mark Mayer greets guests to the Netherlands’ Queen’s Day event at the residence of Ambassador Wim Geerts and his wife, Thea. (Photo: Ulle Baum)Maria Yeganian, wife of Armenian Ambassador Armen Yeganian, hosted an event, which featured Armenian music and dances as well as ancient and medieval royal costumes. From left, Narine Panossian, Shaghig Reynolds, Maria Yeganian, Houry Avetisian, Gayane Panossian and Anna Bedrossyan after the cultural presentation. (Photo: Ulle Baum)During a visit to Trinidad and Tobago, Gov. Gen. David Johnston and his wife, Sharon, participated in a wreath-laying at St. James Commonwealth Military Cemetery. (Photo: MCpl. Dany Veilette)Finnish Ambassador Risto Piipponen and his wife, Marjatta, hosted a gathering to watch the men’s championship hockey game between Canada and Finland. From left, Finnish fans Deborah Nieminen, Marjatta Piipponen, Linda Keep and Petra Erkkila. (Photo: Ulle Baum)The Canadian Federation of University Women's diplomatic hospitality group held a fashion show at Fairmont Chateau Laurier, featuring the work of designer Elena Hinke. From left, Francilia Greaves, wife of Barbados High Commissioner Evelyn Greaves, organizer Ulle Baum and Masako Ishikawa, wife of Japanese Ambassador Kaoru Ishikawa. The event marked the Chateau’s 100th birthday and attracted guests from 35 countries.The embassy of Azerbaijan held a national day reception at the Westin Hotel. Ambassador Farid Shafiyev, his wife, Ulkar (at left) and Egyptian Ambassador Wael Aboul Magd and his wife, Hanan Abdel Kader (at right). (Photo: Sam Garcia)The National Press Club of Canada Foundation held a farewell dinner for departing Tunisian Ambassador Mouldi Sakri and George Abou-Zeid, chargé d’affaires of the embassy of Lebanon. From left, Mr. Sakri, Moroccan Ambassador Nouzha Chekrouni, Nora Derradji, Algerian diplomat, and Yemeni Ambassador Khalid Bahah.
