Celebrating 77 Years of Danish-Philippine Diplomatic Relations through creativity

On 28 September, Denmark and the Philippines marked 77 years of strong diplomatic ties by
emphasizing their shared passion for design and creativity.

To honor this milestone, the Royal Danish Embassy Manila staged two projects that capture
the fusion of Filipino creativity and uniqueness of Danish design, reflecting the richness of the
countries' longstanding relationship.

Bridging our countries through LEGO

One of the most symbolic representations of this mutual appreciation for creativity is the iconic
LEGO – a Danish brand that has found its way to the hearts of many Filipino families,
collectors, builder communities, and creative enthusiasts. You can also meet talented Filipinos
working in LEGO headquarters in Denmark, driving design processes for various LEGO sets
that land on toy store shelves worldwide.

Venturing into the heart of the Philippines' historical richness, Danish Ambassador FranzMichael "Dan-Dan" Mellbin and Philippine Ambassador Leo Herrera-Lim explored the Philippines
in bricks at the iMake History Fortress LEGO Education Center.

The Education Center, nestled in historic Fort Santiago, is a joint project by the Royal Danish
Embassy Manila, the Intramuros Administration, and Felta Multimedia, Inc and serves as an
exhibition of historical and cultural landmarks in the Philippines – all built using LEGO.
The center also conducts workshops to train the youth in architecture, design, engineering,
and creativity using LEGO Education modules.

Guided by the shared vision of fostering strong connections, the Ambassadors, along with
Intramuros Administrator Joan Padilla, Felta Brand Activation Officer Jed Abiva-Sazon, Mme.
Eva Fischer-Mellbin, and Mme. Fides Herrera-Lim, took the lead in building a symbolic bridge
using LEGO as a representation of the strong connection of the two countries spanning over
seven decades.

Filipino art LEGO-fied

From architectural wonders, LEGO bricks were creatively used as building blocks for classic
masterpieces of Filipino maestro and National Artist, Fernando Amorsolo.
Project AMORsolo, a mosaic LEGO exhibition by Pinoy LEGO Users Group (PinoyLUG) pays
homage to the enduring legacy of the first Filipino National Artist. The exhibit replicates
Amorsolo's iconic paintings "Bayanihan", "Dalagang Bukid", and "Early Traders" using LEGO.
To support PinoyLUG and masterpieces of Fernando Amorsolo, the Embassy hosted a Project
AMORsolo installation in October 2023. During the event, PinoyLUG also unveiled a LEGO brick
mosaic based on the iconic Danish artwork "Anna Ancher and Marie Krøyer on the beach at
Skagen" by Michael Ancher, specially designed for the celebration.

Gracing the event were members of the Amorsolo family including the artist's daughter Slyvia
Amorsolo Lazo and grandson Fernando "Nandy" Amorsolo Lazo, who now leads the Fernando
C. Amorsolo Art Foundation dedicated to the promotion of the maestro's unique style and
artistic vision.

Named after a playful combination of the Filipino artist's name and the Spanish term for "love"
(amor), Project AMORsolo was born out of interest of PinoyLUG's members during the
pandemic to build projects that go beyond LEGO's usual notion of "play", but also represents
the Philippines' rich art and creative culture.
Project AMORsolo has been showcased in the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Manila City
Hall, and shopping malls around Luzon, and now at the Danish Residence.
Wielding the power of design together

Both events contribute to the Embassy's "Design Matters" campaign. This aims to celebrate
and increase awareness on Denmark's design values and drive for innovation while
appreciating the Philippines' artistic heritage and ingenuity.

Danish design, characterized by simplicity, functionality, and minimalism, is a way of life. The
campaign aims to inspire Filipinos about the beauty and practicality of Danish design,
connecting it to the Filipino tradition of craftsmanship and vibrancy.
Since September, the Embassy has featured testimonials, parallel design concepts, and
collaborative efforts to integrate design thinking into policies.

The Embassy looks forward to continue supporting the Philippines in cultivating a deeper
appreciation for design and translate creative ideas to meaningful efforts set to improve
Filipinos' lives.