Ambassador

Address of Ambassador Aubrey Hooks to the Second Vernisage

February 17, 2006

Honorable Ministers,

Distinguished Ambassadors and Diplomats,

Distinguished guests,

Dear artists,

Dear colleagues,

Akwaba.  Welcome to the David Durtschi Atrium, and welcome to the second vernissage of the Ambassador’s Art in the Atrium program.  Since moving to the new embassy, I have wanted to give my colleagues at the embassy exposure to the artistry of Côte d’Ivoire.   I have dreamed of making this large and spacious atrium a showcase of culture and beauty…and this dream is becoming reality. 

In honor of Black History Month, I am pleased to be able to bring Ivoirian artwork and historical pieces into the embassy.  This exceptional exhibit represents continuing progress in the artistic partnership that our two countries are forging.  I personally feel that it is extremely important to promote these kinds of partnerships, and to promote and celebrate the arts – be they traditional, contemporary, or modern.

For this exposition, nous avons l’honneur of working with the dedicated staff of the National Museum.  I would like to recognize the hard work of Madame Békouan and her excellent team, who have worked hand in hand with the United States Embassy for many years. This vernissage, indeed, is just the latest in a series of collaborative projects.  Madame Békouan participated in the American Cultural Center’s International Visitor program in 2001 – she spent three weeks in the United States exchanging with her homologues as part of the African American Heritage Series.  We have worked closely with the museum over several years to give them the resources necessary to digitize and catalogue their collection.  Two weeks ago, the embassy staff went on a rich and informative guided tour of the museum.  Today, we have worked with them to create a beautiful, and informative, exposition of traditional Ivoirian instruments.

This exhibit is a representative sample of the varied and rich musical traditions of Côte d’Ivoire.  The idiophones, aerophones, cordophones, and membranophones on display come from north, south, east, and west.  They come from different peoples, and different times.  Some pieces are more modern – some are over two hundred years old.  Some instruments were part of ceremonies, rites, and traditional dances.  Some could be picked up easily; others required great expertise.  In spite of these differences, however, these instruments celebrate the diverse and glorious cultures of Côte d’Ivoire.

The embassy is fully engaged in helping to preserve Ivoirian musical traditions and culture.  Our continuing efforts go beyond this exhibit and into the greater community, into all the cities and villages of Côte d’Ivoire.  We are collaborating with musicologist Guillaume Zadi, alias Blissy Tebil, as he and the CIRDMA staff engage in a country-wide project to catalogue and preserve Côte d’Ivoire’s instruments, dances, and music.  We are working with Ivoirian partners to preserve Ivoirian traditions.

Tonight, tradition comes alive.  The National Museum and the embassy have invited hardworking professionals to the embassy to give life and sound to these instruments.  These music lovers are lawyers and businesspeople in modern Côte d’Ivoire; and are also careful protectors of the patrimoine, the heritage, and the legacies of the past.  They took the time to master these instruments and their unique sounds, and later this evening we will get a chance to hear them play.

Tonight, I would like to thank these musicians for their time and talent.  I also want to extend my sincerest thanks to Mme Békouan and the museum staff, who have worked tirelessly to make this exposition a success.  This exhibit is truly a way for us to strengthen and enhance the warm friendship between Americans and Ivoirians.

Vive le Cote d’Ivoire, vive l’Amérique, vive l’amitié entre les peuples ivoiriens et américains!