Mr. Peter Bliek; Mrs. Shida Bliek; the Honorable Leendert de Lange, Mayor of the Municipality of Wassenaar; H.E. Mr. Mario Oyarzábal and Mr. Daniel Hallman

On March 5th, 2025, a gathering was organized at Diplomat Club Wassenaar – Kasteel De Wittenburg to bid farewell to H.E. Mr. Mario Oyarzábal, Ambassador of Argentina to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and his spouse Mr. Daniel Hallman as they prepare to embark on their next adventure, returning to Argentina.

It was an evening filled with warm memories, appreciation, and best wishes, attended by the Honourable Leendert de Lange, Mayor of the Municipality of Wassenaar, esteemed Ambassadors, dear friends, and neighbours. While the presence of the Ambassador of Canada, H.E. Mr. Hugh Adsett, was not anticipated, it was a delightful surprise and truly appreciated that he was able to join for the second half of the evening.

H.E. Ms. Carolina Olarte-Bácares, Ambassador of Colombia; H.E. Mr. Emad M. Hanna, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt; Mrs. Beth Alexander, spouse of Canadian Ambassador; H.E. Mr. Mario Oyarzábal, Ambassador of Argentina; Mrs. Shida Bliek; Mr. Daniel Hallman; Mr. Peter Bliek; H.E. Dr. Ann Derwin, Ambassador of Ireland and Mr. Joe O’Flaherty; H.E. Ms. Caterina Ghini, Ambassador of Greece; Mrs. Hayam W. Mikhail, spouse of Egyptian Ambassador.

Five years have flown by, marked by unforgettable moments and meaningful connections. In July 2020, Ambassador Oyarzábal presented his credentials to His Majesty King Willem-Alexander. A month later, the Director and Founder of Diplomat Club Wassenaar Mrs Shida Bliek and Mr. Peter Bliek, alongside the Mayor of the Municipality of Wassenaar, the Honourable Leendert de Lange extended a warm welcome to Ambassador Oyarzábal and Mr. Hallman as Honorary members of Diplomat Club Wassenaar. 

As a token of appreciation, Mayor De Lange gifted Ambassador Oyarzábal and Mr. Hallman with special ties featuring the image of a peacock—a nod to the historic town hall in Wassenaar – Raadhuis De Paauw. Symbolizing continuity and shared experiences.

Mrs. Bliek, in her speech, highlighted how much their presence had brightened countless events over the past years. Their warmth, cultural insight, and engaging personalities forged deep bonds of friendships. Yet, as part of diplomatic life, moments of farewell are inevitable. This, however, is not a final goodbye to friendship. She bid them farewell, saying: “tot ziens”—a promise to meet again.

Ambassador Oyarzábal and Mr Hallman were honoured during the ‘Klompen Ceremony’ by Mr Peter Bliek with a special friendship decoration—a Delft Blue clog. “This symbolises the journey you both embark on; like a left and a right clog, they unite you in the steps you will take in your future endeavours. May your journey ahead be filled with success and new opportunities.”

Ambassador Oyarzábal stated: ”We are very grateful and have always enjoyed being included in the many activities organized by Diplomat Club Wassenaar and Diplomat Affairs Magazine. You help create a deeper sense of community and bond within the diplomatic world and with Dutch society, always generating an atmosphere for us Ambassadors and spouses to bond outside of office hours. In the very divided world that we are living in, that is all the more important. Your kindness and continued friendship during our five years in The Netherlands has made our time here so much more fulfilling. We know we will remain in contact and see you again sometime/someplace in the world in the upcoming years. “Tot ziens” indeed!”

Throughout his tenure in the Netherlands, Ambassador Oyarzábal has been a dedicated advocate for his fascinating country, showcasing its richness and culture. He fostered bilateral relations between Argentina and the Netherlands to a level that is commensurate with their common values and interests. Focusing on both the bilateral and multilateral agenda, he has enhanced the promotion of Argentine trade and culture, including Argentina’s iconic Malbec wine and the rich tradition of tango music and dance. An international lawyer, Ambassador Oyarzábal has also contributed his expertise to the work of the many international organizations and tribunals in The Hague in particular, to promote the rule of law at international level. His achievements reflect his unwavering commitment, which have left a lasting impression on both his peers and Dutch Society.

Mr. Hallman, an artist and photographer, continued growing his artistic practices and has had four exhibitions of his work in the Netherlands.  He is excited to be showing some of his text-based pieces at the upcoming Art Rotterdam contemporary art fair.
Mr. Hallman is also very proud of his contribution to the committee of the Ambassadors’ Spouses’ Association and will miss the great friendships built with his spouse “colleagues” during these years.

The year 2025 marks the bicentenary of diplomatic relations between Argentina and the Netherlands, underscoring the depth and strength of their bilateral partnership. The longstanding ties between the Dutch Royal Family and Argentina, coupled with the immense popularity of Her Majesty Queen Máxima, further enhance the strong bonds of friendship and cooperation between the nations, fostering deep alignment and strategic collaboration across multiple sectors.