On December 10th 2025, Diplomat Club Wassenaar proudly continued its cherished tradition of biannually welcoming newly appointed Ambassadors as Honorary Members—a moment that beautifully echoed the spirit and values celebrated during the Club’s New Year Reception earlier in the year.

More than twenty Ambassadors, many accompanied by their spouses, gathered in the timeless surroundings of Kasteel De Wittenburg. The evening reflected the spirit that defines the Club: diplomacy enriched by friendship, culture, and shared celebration. The location—gracefully positioned between Wassenaar and The Hague—symbolized the close connection between the two cities.

The reception was hosted by Mrs. Shida Bliek, Director and Founder of Diplomat Club Wassenaar and Publisher of Diplomat Affairs Magazine – In Touch with the Dutch, together with her husband, Mr. Peter Bliek, President of TenRande Foundation in collaboration with the Municipality of Wassenaar, represented by the Mayor, The Honourable Leendert de Lange, and the Director of Kasteel De Wittenburg, Mr. Ralf Meppelder.

The newly arrived Ambassadors, who had recently presented their credentials to                  King Willem-Alexander, were warmly welcomed as Honorary Members of Diplomat Club Wassenaar by Mrs. Bliek. In keeping with tradition, Ambassadors attending the ceremony for the first time were adorned with a Dutch ribbon—symbolizing hospitality, respect, and inclusion—while Mrs. Bliek outlined the Club’s mission as a nonprofit platform fostering dialogue and connection through art, music, and sports.

Reflecting on the Club’s decade-long journey—entering its twelfth year in 2026— Mrs Bliek emphasized how Diplomat Club Wassenaar has grown into a vibrant, multicultural community, one that mirrors Wassenaar’s identity as the “Diplomaten Dorp” (Village of Diplomats), where international national days and landmark events, such as Africa Day, are celebrated throughout the year. Diplomat Affairs Magazine – In Touch with the Dutch, of which she is the publisher, highlights the cultural activities of the diplomatic community. Thanks to the cooperation of the Ambassadors and their embassies, whose openness and collaboration make it possible to share these stories, the Club continues to strengthen the bridge between diplomacy and Dutch society.

A highlight of the evening was Mrs. Bliek’s heartfelt congratulations to Mayor Leendert de Lange on his re-election for six more years of leadership. The Mayor, accompanied by his spouse, Mrs. Marleen de Lange-Heldens, extended a warm welcome to the Ambassadors and shared engaging insights into life in Wassenaar and the province of Zuid-Holland. His remarks—encouraging cycling, cultural curiosity, and embracing the Dutch concept of “gezellig”—were received with both laughter and appreciation.

As a gesture of local pride and hospitality, Mayor de Lange personally presented each newly welcomed Honorary Member with a traditional Dutch cheese platter, produced from milk sourced from cows grazing in the fields of Wassenaar. This authentic and symbolic gift beautifully connected the international diplomatic community with the local heritage of the municipality.

As conversations unfolded in many languages and a festive, yet intimate atmosphere filled the castle rooms, the guests reflected on a year of engagement, cultural exchange, and shared milestones. The gathering stood as a fitting close to the diplomatic year—celebrating unity in diversity, honouring leadership and tradition and strengthening the bonds that lie at the heart of Diplomat Club Wassenaar.