Washington Life Magazine - Summer 2019

Page 20

POLLYWOOD

Aissata Haidara and Seynabou Diop

Gambia Amb. Dawda Fadera and Sierra Leone Amb. Sidique Abu Bakarr Wai

Jan Du Plain, Joy Gacuga and Allyson Browne McKithen

AFRICA DAY CELEBRATION Marriott Marquis | PHOTOS BY TONY POWELL

Tanzania Amb. Wilson Masilingi and Malawi Amb. Edward Sawerengera

A CONTINENT CELEBRATES: Three major milestones were commemorated at this gala — the 56th anniversary of the founding of the Organization of African Unity, the 50th commemoration of the adoption of 1969 refugee-specific governance and the 10th anniversary of the adoption of a 2009 convention for the protection and assistance of those displaced in Africa. Guests gathered in the flag filled Marriott Marquis Ballroom to celebrate, enjoy a candlelit dinner and hear from speakers. During the evening, attendees also watched a video presentation highlighting 2019 as the year for discovering solutions to forced displacement in Africa.

Clara Brillembourg Chopivsky

WL EXCLUSIVE

ITALIAN CULTURAL SOCIETY GALA Embassy of Italy PHOTOS BY NAKU MAYO

JP Wogaman II plays for dancers Aurora Mostacci and Oscar Sanchez

Honoree Mimmo Miccolis with Annelise Brody Morani

Emanuele and Jumana Manzitti 20

Vannya Josselyn Huarca, Luigi De Luca and Francesca Casazza

Brae Blackely and Julie Kent WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

VIVA ITALIA!: Supporters of Italian culture gathered to celebrate “L’Italia e la danza” and to honor Mimmo Miccolis, who performed as a dancer across three continents and is now a neoclassical and contemporary teacher and choreographer at The Washington Ballet. After a film and discussion of Miccolis’ career with the ballet’s artistic director Julie Kent in the Embassy of Italy’s auditorium, guests enjoyed the premiere performance of his “MET.AMOR.PHOSY” by company members in the reception hall before focusing on the celebration of the Scholarship Awards winners, dinner (Italian cuisine, naturalmente) and a silent auction that included trips to San Remo and Chianti and dinners at local Italian restaurants.

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