Ambassador Kounalakis Inaugurates "Jazz Ambassadors" Exhibit

Ambassador Tsakopoulos Kounalakis inaugurated the State Departments travelling photo exhibit "Jam Session: Americas Jazz Ambassadors Embrace the World" at Budapests Palace of the Arts on January 25.
The Ambassador told the audience of over 100 prominent cultural leaders and musicians that through the Jazz Ambassadors, such as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and others, jazz became a symbol of hope to those living without freedom. She said those men and women were more than just great musicians: "They were also prime examples of the importance of tolerance and diversity. They served as cultural ambassadors for America. They are some of the pioneers who paved the way so that, one day, someone like Barack Obama could sit in the White House."
The 55 photos of the "Jam Session" exhibit showcase the creative and successful cultural diplomacy that the Jazz Ambassadors implemented with their tours around the world. Louis Armstrong, Dave Brubeck, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Dizzy Gillespie and other jazz celebrities reached people and places on their tours that traditional diplomats could not.
The exhibit marks one of the key events that the U.S. Embassy in Budapest has organized to highlight Black History Month since many of the jazz stars were of African-American heritage.
The Budapest exhibit will be open to the public until February 18, when it will travel to Pécs to be featured under the program of the Pécs European Capital of Culture 2010 at the House of Art and Literature organized by the Pécs American Corner.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• visdip
• US Embassy
• Budapest
• Hungary
• Ambassador Kounalakis
• exhibit
• Jam Session