Ambassador

Ambassador's Speeches

Vernisage 6

Honorable guests,

Mesdames et Messieurs

Welcome to the sixth exposition of the Ambassador’s Art in the Atrium Program.

The mood in Cote d’Ivoire is one of optimism.  With the signature of the Ouagadougou agreement, Ivoirians throughout the country are ready to extend the hand of friendship to one another.  The American Embassy supports the Ivoirian peoples in their efforts to move toward peace and reconciliation and a brighter future.

This exhibit, called “Reconciliation”, is fitting for this historic hour.  In the last several weeks Ivoirian leaders have made commitments to healing breaches and re-unifying the nation.  Ivoirian peoples are tearing down the barriers of the last few years and reaching out to those on the other side.

Through this exposition, the American Embassy is expressing its solidarity with all Ivoirians who are working for peace and reconciliation – all those, north, south, east, and west who are extending the hand of friendship to those outside of their regions.  In this same spirit, for the very first time, the American Embassy in Abidjan is sponsoring an exhibit exclusively composed of works from the north of Cote d’Ivoire. 

I would like to thank our program partners for making this special exhibit possible.  We all know that the Sénoufo and Malinké people are hard workers and good friends, and our partners from UGAN are no exception.  Our talented artists from the Union des G.V.C. d’Artisans du Nord – have come a long way to work with us and share their beautiful works of art.  We very much appreciate this gesture of friendship and collaboration.  May it be a sign of enduring amity in Cote d’Ivoire.

Thank you.