The Liberian national cultural troupe performs at the festival

The Liberian National Cultural Troupe, headed by Louise McMillian, assistant minister for culture at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism, put up splendid performances during the International Festival for Drums and Traditional Arts under the theme, ‘Drums Dialogue for Peace’ held in Egypt late last month.

The Liberians performed at several locations including the historic Salah El-Din Citadel (Castle) and The Opera House in Cairo.

The troupe was then hosted by Alexander H.N. Wallace III, Liberian Ambassador to Egypt, on 23 April at his residence for a dinner performance which was attended by several ambassadors and Egyptain government officials.

Thirty-one folklore bands representing about 21 countries from the Middle East, Africa and Asia participated with their drums and traditional folk arts in the festival organized by the Bureau of Foreign Cultural Relations of the Egyptian Ministry of Culture, under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism.

At the closing ceremony on 25 April, the Egyptian Minister of Culture, Dr. Mohammed Saber Arab was joined by the Liberian Assistant Minister for Culture, Madam Louis McMillian and the Minister of Culture of South Sudan to cut the ceremonial ribbon.

Minister McMillian met with several dignitaries including Dr. Arab and the director of international culture relations, among others. Discussions between the minister and officials of the Egyptian Ministry of Culture focused on the improvement of cultural cooperation between both nations.

Upon the minister’s proposition and request, the Egyptian party accepted to undertake the establishment of national theater and cinema in Liberia; they also agreed to train Liberians in drumming and traditional music as well as in cartoon animation.

The Egyptian officials disclosed that their representatives will visit Liberia in May 2014 for assessments. They extended an early invitation to the Liberian National Cultural Troupe to participate in the next festival expected to be held in Egypt in September 2014. The two sides concluded that Liberia host an international festival, code-named ‘VIVA Liberia’, sometimes this year.

The Egyptian side lauded the Liberian National Cultural Troupe for a splendid performance throughout the Festival. 

On behalf of the Liberian National Cultural Troupe, the government and people of the Republic of Liberia, Minister McMillian expressed heartfelt gratitude to the organizers  for the hospitality and the opportunity afforded Liberia to participate in such an elaborate international occasion; adding, it provided a remarkable platform to allow for the troupe to showcase Liberia’s cultural arts and folk dances to the rest of the world.

For his part, Ambassador Wallace, III visited the troupe at its hotel and attended its performances.

The ambassador promised to facilitate initiatives aimed at improving the troupe and promoting Liberia’s cultural relations with Egypt.

Liberian Embassy in Egypt