ASEAN Day 2009

The Swedish Southeast Asian community gathered at Skansen for the annual get-together. A beautiful day filled with cultural performances, colourful food and heartfelt diplomacy.

It’s been pouring down all morning, but inside Skogens Hus at Skansen – the heart of everything Swedish – the heat is almost Southeast Asian. But it’s not a rainforest exhibition that has drawn people from all over Stockholm (and from all over the world) to this classic animal park slash national heritage reserve in the middle of Stockholm.

This is the second time ASEAN day is being celebrated in the Swedish capital. Although the Association of Southeast Asian Nations is more or less a lightweight equivalent to the European Union, few Swedes can claim to be accustomed with the abbreviation.
– We want to introduce the concept of ASEAN to the Swedish people, says Dato Kamarudin Mustafa, ambassador of Malaysia, shortly after the brief welcome speech together with his neighbouring countries’ counterparts. He is one of six present formal representatives from the union, out of totally ten member states.

Everyone is involved
There are people from Thailand, Vietnam, The Philippines, Malaysia, Laos and Indonesia here today, and everything takes places in the most democratic way – alphabetical order. Which also means that after Thailand’s presidency in ASEAN 2009, Vietnam will carry the torch through 2010.

Lilibeth Paredes Almonte is standing in line for food. Six countries are equally represented through Laotian dry meat, Vietnamese spring rolls, Indonesian fried rice, Thai fruit and Filipino chicken.
– Every country is equally involved in this day, she says. Almonte is Third Secretary and Vice Consul at the Philippines embassy in Stockholm. While the ambassadeurs have to step down and move on after three years of duty, other embassy personnel have six years at their disposal, at least from the Philippines.
– I will be here for a total of six years, and then I have to serve 2-3 years at home, before I can come back, she says.

Traditional dances and sports
But the ASEAN day is not just for diplomats and press. Many Swedish and Asian families have taken the Saturday afternoon to look at exotic cultural performances and try Southeast Asian sports. Several traditional dances are being performed from different parts of the region, which increases the heat even further. A young Filipino sings his heart out a capella in front of the diverse crowd, and although most of us can’t understand a word, it is very touching.

The traditional Chinese dragon dance enters the stage, much to the joy of the front row children. Outside, a Thai version of linedance takes place, before two Thai boxers try to kick each other in the face for a few exciting minutes. On the other side of the big lawn, grown men in suits are playing soccer with a small, braided bamboo soccer ball. It turns out to be the Malaysian embassy staff, and as I eagerly join the game I see a Swedish couple in traditional national costumes, utterly confused, between a market stand with Laotian handicrafts and a Vietnamese dance performance on the big outdoor stage.

The contrasts are beautiful. This is Sweden at its best.


This is ASEAN
The Association of Southeast Nations was formed in Bangkok in 1967. The aim is, among other things: “To accelerate the economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region through joint endeavours in the spirit of equality and partnership in order to strengthen the foundation for a prosperous and peaceful community of Southeast Asian Nations.”

The members are: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
aseansec.org

A shorter version of this article was published in Swedish Bulletin, winter issue 2009.