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I knew there was going to be a dedication for my mural in Zwedru. But, I've been to those kind of events in Liberia. There are always way too many speakers. So, all week long, I told my Liberian counter-part that I wanted singing and dancing at the dedication but no speakers. I wanted a celebration that would be remembered and actually enjoyed.
You can't have a dedication without speakers in Liberia.
I wasn't completely ignored. Plans were for a school choir to sing a few numbers - and they were great! But, there were also about seven people (who had absolutely nothing to do with the mural) scheduled to speak. There was no dance troupe. I really wanted to photograph somebody in traditional Liberian clothing.
None were invited. It wasn't in the budget.
H O W E V E R, in the auditorium across from my mural, there was a three-day workshop that had budgeted for the Ballet Gedeh Roosters, the best of Grand Gedeh's three dance troupes, to perform a cultural show. I'm not sure how they came up with their name. I didn't occur to me to ask until it was too late. But, much to my delight, the troupe put on their costumes in my mural room. And, they were more than happy to allow me to take all kinds of photos and video. I got the portrait photos I wanted all along, including this adorable young girl who was one of the dancers. And, it was much better than anything I would have been able to take during an actual performance. I know this for a fact, because I attended their performance. I couldn't get close at all.
I knew there was going to be a dedication for my mural in Zwedru. But, I've been to those kind of events in Liberia. There are always way too many speakers. So, all week long, I told my Liberian counter-part that I wanted singing and dancing at the dedication but no speakers. I wanted a celebration that would be remembered and actually enjoyed.
You can't have a dedication without speakers in Liberia.
I wasn't completely ignored. Plans were for a school choir to sing a few numbers - and they were great! But, there were also about seven people (who had absolutely nothing to do with the mural) scheduled to speak. There was no dance troupe. I really wanted to photograph somebody in traditional Liberian clothing.
None were invited. It wasn't in the budget.
H O W E V E R, in the auditorium across from my mural, there was a three-day workshop that had budgeted for the Ballet Gedeh Roosters, the best of Grand Gedeh's three dance troupes, to perform a cultural show. I'm not sure how they came up with their name. I didn't occur to me to ask until it was too late. But, much to my delight, the troupe put on their costumes in my mural room. And, they were more than happy to allow me to take all kinds of photos and video. I got the portrait photos I wanted all along, including this adorable young girl who was one of the dancers. And, it was much better than anything I would have been able to take during an actual performance. I know this for a fact, because I attended their performance. I couldn't get close at all.