Embassy Programs & Events
America's new Face in Belgium
November 12, 2009 A crew of the weekly TV magazine Koppen (VRT) follows Ambassador Gutman as he takes Dutch language lessons, shows the crew around in the Residence, and visits Mechelen.
Ambassador Gutman delivers major speech in Mechelen
October 19, 2009 Ambassador Gutman visited Mechelen on October 19 and delivered a major speech at the Lamot Cultural Center. "With its vast diplomatic community, Belgium remains the eyes and ears of Europe and much of the world. So, we have a saying at our Embassy: 'If you want to be heard, say it in Belgium.'”
Thanksgiving Mass for Saint Damien
October 18 A Presidential Delegation attended the Thanksgiving Mass for Saint Damien de Veuster celebrated Sunday, October 19 at the National Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Ambassador Gutman headed the delegation which included Neil Abercrombie, U.S. Congressman, Hawaii, and Mazie K. Hirono, U.S. Congresswoman, Hawaii.
Ambassador Gutman guest of De Laatste Show
October 6 Ambassador Howard Gutman was a guest of the late night talk show “De Laatste Show” on public TV network VRT één. The Ambassador talked about his first four weeks as the US Ambassador to Belgium and about his intention to meet all Belgians. He highlighted the many assets Belgium has being host to the European Union and NATO.
Ambassador unveils statue of Father Damian
October 4 “Father Damian was an explorer, an ambassador, a healer, a righteous man, a hero, a saint, and a teacher for us and our children. He is and was for President Barack Obama a great source of inspiration” said Ambassador Gutman at the unveiling of the Father Damian statue in Tremelo on Oct 4, 2009.
Ambassador Visits Molenbeek's Cultural Center
October 3 Amb. Gutman visited the Multicultural Center in Molenbeek with 2 actors from the new movie Fame. After a dance performance by local young dancers, he said ‘It is the future that I am seeing here, a safer and more serene future’. The actors were quickly surrounded by local kids once the official speeches were over.
Charleroi: Ambassador Gutman delivers First Speech in Belgium
September 30 Amb. Gutman delivered his first major official address in Belgium at the Université du Travail in Charleroi on Sep. 30, 2009. He talked about the feeling of renewed friendship and partnership between Belgium and the U.S. He met with officials at the City Hall, Charleroi Firefighters and visited the Photography Museum.
Ambassador Gutman congratulates Kim Clijsters
September 18 At the celebration for Kim Clijsters in her hometown of Bree on September 18, 2009, Ambassador Gutman conveyed President Obama's admiration for Clijsters' achievement at the U.S. Open. For more pictures, click on above link.
Ambassador Gutman hosts an Iftar Dinner at the Residence
September 14 Ambassador Gutman and Dr. Michelle Loewinger hosted an Iftar dinner at their residence. Many personalities of the Belgian Muslim community attended. For more pictures, click on the link above.
Remembering 9/11 at the U.S. Embassy
September 11 "Most days are solely about what we are doing. They are meant to be lived in the present. A busy day at work ...picking up the kids at school ...But September 11 is different. It is not about what we are doing . . . but about who we are . . . and what kind of planet we live on." Click on above link to retrieve full text.