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{ News }PhotosOn May 22nd, Mrs. Naima Besikri, wife of the Ambassador of Libya, treated diplomats and THIS volunteers to a special treat at her residence. As a special favor to her, several of her personal friends staged a 'mock' Libyan wedding. The attendees, who came from all over the world, appreciated this wonderful opportunity of the true sharing of culture. Tea anyone? Mrs. Amina Farah Ahmed Olhaye, wife of the Ambassador of the Republic of Djibouti enjoyes a dance with Mrs. Saia Nage, visiting the area from Libya. Mrs. Nage is also the founder of the International Libyan Arab-African Organization for Woman Rights.
On June 5, diplomats and THIS volunteers enjoyed a fascinating visit to the most recognized symbol of democratic government in the United States, the US Capitol. Our tour included the original Supreme Court chamber dating from the 1860’s. Our expert guide helped us to appreciate the artwork and architecture of the Rotunda and the National Statuary Hall, where states have contributed statues of their notable citizens. Luckily, we were also able to attend part of a session of the House of Representatives, where Mrs. Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House had just taken the floor to present an issue.
The House of Sweden is the jewel of the Swedish presence in the US and is the home of the Swedish Embassy as well as representatives of Swedish commerce. Designed by Bert Wingardh and Thomas Hansen, the building is a unique combination of transparency and openness. On June 2nd, diplomats and THIS volunteers were invited for a private guided architectural tour of this magnificent building. L. - r.: THIS volunteer Mrs. Kathy Hammar, THIS volunteer Mrs. Lois Stratton, Mrs. Anna Jarbourgh, and THIS President Mrs. Lexie Ellis. Traditional meets modern! The visitors enjoyed some snacks and conversation before the tour. Is it a building? Is it art? This is a residence where the building IS art! Dr. Scharioth, wife of the Ambassador of Germany invited diplomats and THIS volunteers to view this amazing creation and her home by the late German architect, Oswald Mathias Ungers, which blends familiar forms and architectural styles into a modern and rational configuration. During the tour, Mrs. Ines Teisseire explained many of the architectural features of the beautiful building. In the kitchen, her husband Chef Benoit Teisseire took over. From left: Program attendees Mrs. Nissa Brender, Mrs. Amira Taha, wife of the Ambassador of Sudan, and her mother, Mrs. Fatima Yassin looked on while Mrs. Pam Miller presented a small token of our appreciation to Mrs. Teisseire. During a recent program of the THIS Initiatives committee attendees learned about the history of the U.S. State Department’s cultural diplomacy initiatives that sent renowned jazz musicians around the world from the mid-1950’s through the 1970’s. Their music was a democratic musical form, unique to the United States, and welcomed by people worldwide. These Jazz Ambassadors promoted the positive aspects of America’s culture and reached millions of people. Dr. Curtis Sandberg, Meridian International Center’s Vice President for the Arts gave a wonderful tour filled with anecdotes about his adventures in securing the photos and shared details and vignettes about many of them.
The McLean English Conversation group had a very informative meeting with Senator Janet Howell who represents the area in the Senate of Virginia. She explained her role as one of the 11 committee chairs, her 17 year experience in a male-dominated Senate and the many health and safety issues that she has spear-headed in the Legislature. The group would like to thank Joanne Field for arranging this opportunity, Sandy Sieber for being a gracious host and Diane Alden and Ruth Rickard for co-hosting. The food was delicious, the conversation lively and a good time was had by all!
A surrealist painter creates fantastic or incongruous works that have a dreamlike quality. Possibly the most famous artist in this category is Salvador Dali. Greatly influenced by Dali’s paintings, Washington’s most celebrated surrealist, Gerry O. Wyche, has formulated his own unique style of surrealism. His philosophy “Art is life. Life is art. Make each day a masterpiece,” guides his works which he describes as a blending of both conscious and subconscious thought. On April 29, THIS volunteers and diplomats alike enjoyed a visit with Mr. Wyche in his studio located in an architecturally spectacular home in McLean, Virginia.
On April 24, the Potomac English Conversation group met at a Kung Fu studio in Rockville to enjoy a demonstration of ways to protect themselves in an emergency and several specific Kung Fu moves were performed by instructors of the studio. Afterwards, everyone had a wonderful lunch at 'Tysons', a nearby Chinese restaurant which serves a buffet of Chinese, Japanese and American food. The program was organized by Mrs. Liping Smaling, the wife of a Dutch diplomat.
On Tuesday April 15th, the Bethesda Chevy Chase English Conversation group visited the French Embassy for lunch at the invitation of Mary Jacquotte, a diplomatic participant from France. We thank Mary for this most gracious and delightful event which took place on a glorious Spring day.
The McLean English Conversation group enjoyed a wonderful visit to the elegant Mexican Cultural Institute with its beautiful organ, carved staircase, blue tile room and interesting history. The murals were colorful and moving and with the excellent guide explaining the motives of the artist and hidden stories of the people he painted they came alive for everyone. Refreshments were delicious and the day another outstanding THIS experience.
A meeting of the DC English conversation group last week featured Folk toys from around the world. Japanese, Cambodian and Chinese diplomats demonstrated specific toys from their countries.
At the March meeting of the THIS Diplomatic Advisory Board, members posed next to a display in honor of Japanese Girls Day.
Members of the THIS International Playgroup enjoyed the Japanese Girls Day celebration at their recent meeting as well:
At a meeting of the recently established Turkish conversation group at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Stan Pickett, Mrs. Emine Akil pours Turkish coffee from a cezve – pronounced “djezVEH”. In this small pot water, powdered coffee, and sugar are mixed and heated. Turkish coffee is prepared – from grinding through pouring – only one or two small cups at a time, and carefully watched through the heating, as it needs to be heated to near boiling, removed and allowed just to settle back, then reheated again to near-boiling, then poured immediately.
Since its founding in 1958, NASA has been responsible for many scientific and technical advances in air and space. In 1959, NASA established the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland as the first space flight center. Today, Goddard is the nation's largest organization of scientists and engineers. On March 27, diplomats joined THIS volunteers for a guided tour of the Goddard Space Flight Center to include an overview of the center and its missions, the Hubble space telescope, the space shuttle, satellites and the deep space program.
On March 20, Mrs. Gulnara Rashidova, the wife of the Ambassador of Uzbekistan invited diplomats and THIS volunteers to her embassy for a stunning Fashion Show followed by a reception. The featured fashion designer was Mrs. Lola Babaeva, an Uzbek artist working in the ethnic style, who is also a gifted ethnographer. The collection presented to the attendees received high praise for the beauty of the individual designs and fabrics used and gave an insight into the mind of a true artist. L. – r. THIS volunteer Marjorie Scott, Uzbekan Fashion Prior to the Fashion Show, First Secretary Mr. Eldor Aripov gave a brief introduction of an exhibition of Uzbek arts and crafts.
On March 14, THIS welcomed big and small diplomats to Meridian International Center:
On March 13 Mrs. Nermin Fahmy, the spouse of Ambassador Nabil Fahmy, shared her love and knowledge of the land of the Nile by inviting diplomats and volunteers to the Egyptian Embassy for a remarkable program about Egypt’s 7,000 year history. Her presentation was followed by a short discourse on the status of women in Egypt today by Mrs. Sahar El Sherbini. Known for her tireless efforts as president of the Mosaic Foundation which supports American and international causes, Mrs. Fahmy earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the American University in Cairo and in 1993 received a graduate degree in Egyptology and Archeology. The lecture ended with a gracious invitation to a sumptuous luncheon that was enjoyed by all. L–R: Mrs. Nermin Fahmy, THIS President Bonita Williams and Mrs. Sahar El Sherbini.
On March 5, Dr. Katherine Alley, renowned Washington, DC surgeon specializing in breast surgery and spokesperson on breast health for the American Cancer Society presented a THIS program on risk factors for breast disease and discussed the importance and usefulness of screening, diagnoses, surgical, and post-surgical treatment. Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker, Chief of Protocol of the United States was a guest at this event. She is a breast cancer survivor and founded Susan G. Komen for the Cure in memory of her sister who died of breast cancer. L-R: THIS Advisory Board member Alexine Jackson, THIS member Claudia Thurber, Dr. Katherine Alley, THIS President Bonita Williams, THIS Vice President for Programs Lexie Ellis, and THIS Vice President for Services Joanne Field
On February 22, Mrs. Veronica Valencia, wife of the Ambassador of Mexico, graciously invited THIS volunteers to her home to meet newly arrived diplomats from her country.
At a recent meeting of the McLean English Conversation Group, Mrs. Satsuki Mitoh, assisted by Mrs. Takayo Tasaki, Mrs. Raji Brahmam of India presented a dance
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