Liberia’s Cultural Troop Entertains Diplomats In London
Photo Credit: IT/Public Affairs Bureau- MFA
Members of the diplomatic corps resident in London along with Ambassadors and High Commissioners of African Union Group, were entertained to a stellar rendition of Liberia’s culture in songs and dances by a contingent of a Liberian Cultural Troup in the United Kingdom at the reception commemorating Africa Day, 2009.
The Liberian Cultural Troupe’s interpretation of rhythm and dance marking the 46th anniversary of Africa Day was declared a harmonious declaration of Liberia’s sound at its most brilliance. It was the first performance of the Cultural Troop at such occasion.
As a consequence of Africa Day, May 25, 2009, falling on a British holiday, it was decided the commemoration of the day be held on the 27th, under the theme “Towards A United, Peaceful and Prosperous Africa”.
At the intervention of Liberia Ambassador Extraordinary and plenipotentiary to the Court of Saint James, Mr. Wesley M. Johnson, it was also decided that the Liberian Cultural Troup would be the sole representation of the sound of the continent for the event.
Introducing the Cultural Troup to the Ambassadors, High Commissioners, Heads of major corporations and dignitaries attending the reception held at the Hyatt Regency Churchill Hotel, one of London’s most prestigious hotels, Ambassador Johnson revealed that it was with pride and pleasure that he presented the Liberian Cultural Troupe to deliver “a representation of Liberia’s culture in song and dance”
Ambassador Johnson described the members of the cultural troop, as Liberia’s young generation, who although were living away from home, remained proud of their African tradition and were determined to acknowledge their cultural heritage.
Before orchestrating the first resounding note, Ambassador Johnson ended his remarks with a repartee suggesting that the fragile members of the audience be seated and prepare themselves for a true celebration of Africa Day.
With the reverberation of drums, the cultural troop glided onto the stage and delivered a resonant interpretation of Liberian songs and dances in their full amazing passion and energetic glory. As predicted by Ambassador Johnson, the incredible exuberance of the performance became joyously contagious that members of the audience, Africans and non-Africans, were enticed to not only sway to the music but to step in cadence with the drums beat.
It should be noted that as their patron, the dancers paid homage to Ambassador Johnson in an honouring ceremony during their performance which has since been commended by the Diplomatic Corps. The Liberian Cultural Troupe was composed of members of the Liberian communities of Northampton and Sheffield, two cities in the mid-land of England.
Earlier in the evening, the Deputy Doyen of the African Diplomatic Corps, Her Excellency Dr. Lindiwe Mabuza, the High Commissioner of the Republic of South Africa, welcomed the guests to the occasion and recalled the consensus reached by the Heads of States at the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa that African cannot eradicate poverty on the continent without the vital development necessary for economic growth and prosperity.
Emphasizing the need to establish infrastructure to ensure our economic development, Dr. Mabuza stressed that Africa simply cannot assume its rightful place and role in the global economy without the essential apparatus.
The South African High Commissioner further asserted that in line with the aspiration of the Summit, the African Union Ambassadors and High Commissioners based in London had decided to host the African Infrastructure Conference in London in November of this year to highlight the infrastructure opportunities throughout the continent, especially with regards to Water, Sanitation, Energy, Transport, Telecommunication, and Housing sectors.
In closing, Dr. Mabuza reiterated the call to all friends of Africa from the corporate world to work with Africa to not only support the African Infrastructure Conference, but to see Africa as a continent with unlimited potential for investment and development and many excellent opportunities for doing business.
The keynote address for the occasion was delivered by the High Commissioner of Botswana, His Excellency Mr. Roy Blackbeard, Doyen of the African Diplomatic Corps, and Dean of the African Union Heads of Mission Group.
In a historical reminiscence of the significance of Africa’s endeavour, High Commissioner Blackbeard asserted that the commemoration of Africa Day provided us the opportunity to take stock of the progress achieved on the continent against the goals set forth in the common vision when the founding fathers first created the Organization of African Unity on May 25, 1963.
He said Africans should take the opportunity to ensure that wherever they are, the world recognises the strides that Africa has taken in the integration and development for lasting peace and prosperity of her people.
Mr. Blackbeard stressed that in order “for Africa to build a united, integrated, developed and peaceful Africa; we must take up the challenge of striking a fair balance between the existence of political stability and rapid socio-economic development to which all the peoples of the continent legitimately aspire.”
The reception was attended by approximately three hundred Ambassadors and High Commissioners, senior officers from the African Diplomatic Mission in London, and an array of high ranking dignitaries and members of the African, Asian and European communities in London. igh Hig