EU–Kenya relations turn 50 with a special Violin and Piano evening

A cherished evening performance featuring Polish violinist Michal Buczkowski, who has played and performed across Europe, and Belgian–Turkish pianist Merve Mersinligil, was held at the Residence of the Belgian Ambassador to commemorate 50 years of diplomatic relations between the European Union and Kenya.

The celebration brought together fewer than 100 guests, most of them diplomats and ambassadors.

The event began with brief remarks from the EU Ambassador to Kenya, Henriette Geiger. She spoke on behalf of the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Kenya, Henk Jan Bakker, and the Deputy Head of Mission of the Kingdom of Belgium, Kris Lapiere.

They reflected on the evolution of EU–Kenya relations over the past five decades.

The ambassador highlighted the need to strengthen the partnership, noting that cooperation has grown beyond development assistance to encompass trade, climate action, governance, education, and cultural exchange. She also emphasized the importance of people-to-people connections in maintaining long-term diplomatic ties.

“During this year, our main focus is on educational exchanges, cultural cooperation, and Science and Technology cooperation.

This doesn’t mean that we will not continue with our other sectors of engagement; the main sector at the moment is digitalisation. Both the EU and Kenya are walking their journey individually, and by collaborating, we can walk together. As we dedicate our anniversary year to cultural education, we open this year with a piece of European culture, with European artists who come from different countries.”

The Deputy Director General of the Cultural Diplomacy Directorate at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Diana Kiambuthi, who was present and representing Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir, echoed similar sentiments. She underscored the role of culture as a strategic tool in diplomacy and said artistic expression—particularly music—provides a universal language that fosters mutual understanding and reinforces Kenya’s engagement with international partners, including the European Union.

After the remarks, violinist Michal Buczkowski and pianist Merve Mersinligil took centre stage for the much-awaited performance. The duo opened with Guillaume Lekeu’s Sonata in G major, delivering a nuanced interpretation across its three movements—Très modéré, Très lent, and Très animé.

They then performed Alexander Voormel’s Pastorale, César Franck’s Sonata in A major, and Vittorio Monti’s Csárdás, which they played alongside Kenya’s ghetto classic student Steve Omondi.

Guests enjoyed a refined violin and piano performance in a calm, serene ambience. The artists carefully curated pieces that blended classical European traditions and culture, creating a musical conversation that mirrored the principles of cooperation, listening, and harmony that define EU–Kenya relations.

In attendance were the Japanese ambassador to Kenya, Matsuura Hiroshi; the Polish representative; the German ambassador to Kenya, Sebastian Groth; the Mexican ambassador to Kenya, Gisele Fernández; the High Commissioner of Barbados to Kenya, Alexander W. McDonald; among others.