July 2001
July 2001
As previously announced, Friends of Niger is sponsoring Celebration Niger 2001 on the weekend of August 3-5 in Washington, D.C. The event, a combination reunion/exhibition, kicks off on the afternoon of Friday, August 3 - Niger's Independence Day and is being held in DC in recognition of Peace Corps' 40th anniversary activities.
Celebration 2001 is be an opportunity to make new friends, reacquaint with old friends, reconnect with Niger and celebrate the relationship between Niger and its friends - old and new. As such, all weekend events will be open to all friends of Niger - FON member or not - as well as their families and friends.
If you are planning to attend Celebration 2001, please let us know. We ll understand if your plans change - but we need to build an estimate of numbers for a variety of purposes. Thanks!! Attendance indications, by the way are all very positive. Those already signaling that they plan to participate include Niger RPCVs from the early 60's through the late 90's; past PC Niger staff (Jane, Bonin, Dick Elwell and others); members of the Nigerienne diplomatic mission to the U.S. (Ambassador Joseph Diatta and author Haoua Diatta included); other Nigeriennes resident in the U.S.; as well as other folks who have lived and worked in Niger. It’s going to be a good turnout!!
Re: Housing: Some people have offered to host out-of-town attendees. If you can accommodate one or more persons for the weekend - please let us know. If you are hoping to board with someone - please send us a query. We ll try to put potential hosts and guests in contact. Please try to be specific regarding what you need or what you are offering. Thanks!!
Check out the articles below for new information on the weekend’s events - the Friday afternoon kick-off and the Friday evening dinner/social at the Cafe Bukom; Saturday’s activities at the Holiday Inn Central, including the FON Exhibit, the Patrick Thomas Exhibit and the reading/book signing by Haoua Diatta; and tentative plans for Sunday morning.
For this and/or other purposes related to Celebration 2001, contact Jim Schneider by phone at 819-827-4870 or via e-mail at lorenz3@magi.com.
Celebrate Niger’s Independence Day with Old & New Friends of Niger
- Find Each Other at the HI Central & Then
Enjoy West African Cuisine at the Bukom Cafe. -
Over the next four weeks, this slot on the FON homepage will be used to report on the latest developments related to Celebration of Niger 2001. Check back often because there will be a lot more to come.
Dates - August 3-5, 2001
Location - Washington, DC
Friday August 3
2 pm - First Contact/Registration beginning at 2 PM on Friday, August 3 in the Council Room at the Holiday Inn Central. This event is being designed as an opportunity for people to find each other, check out the latest schedule developments for the weekend and take a preview of the FON Exhibit Hall. The Council Room is located on the 1st floor at the Holiday Inn Central - 1501 Rhode Island, NW (the corner of 15th & Rhode Island). Bring along your photos and slides.
7 pm - Dinner & Social at the Bukom Cafe - 2442 18th Street, NW in Washington’s Adam Morgan district. This is going to be one great evening. The Bukom Cafe is DC’s premiere West African restaurant. Folks at the Bukom are preparing a special buffet for the FON crowd, at $10/person, featuring peanut butter stew, egusi, jollof, a fish dish, plenty of vegetarian fare and more. Enjoy a great meal and stay for the music.
Saturday August 4
All Day - The Friends of Niger Exhibit - Council Room, HI Central. The exhibit will include all the following and more.
FON Archives - a collection of photos, clippings, audio and videotapes donated by people who have lived and worked in Niger over the last 40 years.
The Patrick Thomas Exhibit - this exhibit includes Patrick Thomas’ unique collection of recycled tools from Niger, calabashes of all kinds, Nigerienne textiles - as well as the exquisite Nigerienne photos of Didier Delattre and Blum.
The Mohamed Ahmed Jewelry Exhibit and Kiosk - Once located in Niamey, Mohamed now represents various artisans still located at the Musee in Niger’s capital. Come practice your Hausa, Tamachek, Zarma or French.
The Audio-Video Center - One of the fun features of the FON Exhibit Hall will be the availability of videotape playback and slide projector equipment for use by FON’s members and friends. In other words, bring along your photos, slides and audio/video tapes. We’ll help you set up a show for your friends or gladly add you to the audiovideo schedule of events.
Featured Videos -In addition to showings from the FON Archives collection, FON has been able to secure a number of Niger and Mali shows from the National Geographic Society - including the Sereno pieces, a 1980's film on the Woodabe, and several others - as well as the award winning LWR film When the Harvest Comes.
Readings - Several authors - Nigerienne and those who have published on Niger - will be holding readings and be available for book signing over the course of the weekend: including Diatta Haoua, author of Shadow of Africa and founder of Microcredit Africa, and Paul Stoller, author of Jaguar: A Story of Africans in
America.
Sunday August 5
10 am - Arlington National Cemetery - Laying of a wreath on the grave of John F. Kennedy. Details to follow.