EMBASSY SPONSORED CELEBRATION OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH

UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000186 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR WHA/CAR - LUFTIG; WHA/PDA PRUITT, KLOPFENSTEIN; IIP/G/IR-MURTEN, IIP/G/WHA-MCGLINCHEY E.O. 12958; N/A TAGS: OEXC OPRC NS SUBJECT: EMBASSY SPONSORED CELEBRATION OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH ATTRACTS MORE THAN TWO HUNDRED PEOPLE ¶1. SUMMARY: In celebration of Black History Month post hosted events every Tuesday evening during the month of February, 2007. The American Corner at the Cultural Center of Suriname was the venue for a variety of events attended by more than two hundred people: politicians, scientists, artists, journalists and business people. END SUMMARY ¶2. A group of Journalists attended the showing of "Martin Luther King: His Message Today", a documentary film about U.S. civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. on February 6. A round table discussion on civil rights and peaceful protest followed the film. Sixty people attended an event on February 13 titled: Black Love Stories: Poetry Slam. Nearly all attendees read their favorite love poems, passages by black authors or poems they had written. On February 20 Poloff Andy Utschig and historian Mildred Caprino each spoke about black intellectuals in the United States and in Suriname who had been prominent in history. The highlight of the celebration of Black History Month in Suriname was held on February 27 when nearly a hundred guests attended a lecture by Fidelia Graand - Gallon, Suriname's next Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago. Ms. Graand spoke about the shared heritage of black culture between Africa and the Americas. The evening ended with a round table discussion in which nearly all present participated. ¶3. COMMENT: The celebration of Black History Month gave post the opportunity to promote the American Corner by introducing the American Corner facilities to the public and also to strengthen the partnership between the Embassy and the Cultural Center of Suriname, where the American Corner is located. The documentary on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. allowed post also to present an International Information Programs product to the public. Finally The Black History Month helped Embassy officials to meet new contacts. END COMMENT Genton