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Friday, April 30, 2010

Liberia Primer.

For personal/easy research reference and for anybody with the slightest interest in where I'll be living the next couple...

Wikipedia - Liberia

Wikipedia - History of Liberia

Wikipedia - Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf - Liberia's first elected female president, as well as the first elected female head of state in Africa.

Website of the US Embassy in Monrovia, Liberia.

Lonely Planet on Liberia and on the capital city of Monrovia.

The Liberian Observer - news of Liberia.

Government of the Republic of Liberia Executive Mansion website.

The United Nations Mission in Liberia - UNMIL.

Via Foreign Policy, two fascinating articles.  The first about how the country, literally, does not have a copy of the legal code.  And why.  The second, on how the Army was rebuilt.

On the emerging surf scene around Robertsport, Liberia.  NY Times and Global Post articles.

On mob justice in Liberia.  [Hint, don't try to rob folks.]

Cool Liberia blogs I've come across - Robertsport Community Works & their companion site here.  Beautifully Broken - Liberia - Sweat and Ink - Scarlett Lion - The Esteyonage.  In particular The Esteyonage has a cool series called Gettin' By which documents how some Liberians make a living.

Great documentaries on Liberia I've watched this past week...  Iron Ladies of Liberia probably my favorite of the three...

Why Democracy? - Iron Ladies of Liberia -
"After fourteen years of civil war, Liberia is a nation ready for change. On January 16, 2006, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was inaugurated President. She is the first ever elected female Head of State in Africa, winning a hotly contested election with the overwhelming support of women across Liberia. Since taking office she has appointed other extraordinary women to leadership positions in all areas of government, including the Police Chief and the ministers of Justice, Commerce and Finance. Can the first female Liberian president, backed by other powerful women, bring sustainable democracy and peace to such a devastated country? Iron Ladies of Liberia gives the viewer a behind-the-scenes access to Sirleaf’s first year in government, providing a unique insight into a newly elected African cabinet."
Pray the Devil Back to Hell
"... an uplifting and gripping account of a group of brave and visionary women who demanded peace for Liberia, a nation torn to shreds by a decades-old civil war.
This acclaimed film won Best Documentary at the Tribeca Film Festival as well as many other film festival accolades. Recently the film was screened at the UN Headquarters in Geneva and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton even mentioned it during her speech at the 58th National Prayer Breakfast.

"Uplifting, disheartening, inspiring, enraging — the mind reels while watching the documentary Pray the Devil Back to Hell," says Manohla Dargis of the New York Times"
Sliding Liberia
"...a story about war, peace and surfing on the world s deadliest stretch of coastline. Combining an epic quest for perfect surf with documentary-style interviews of local Liberians (including the only Liberia surfer), the directors invent a completely new film genre one where surfing becomes a catalyst for social justice. As pros Dan Malloy, Chris Del Moro, and Crystal Thornburg follow their friend Nicholai s lead through the war-torn country in search of what could be the best wave setup in Africa, they are forced to recognize the harsh realities of their surroundings. Shot in a hybrid of 16 mm, video, and archival footage, Sliding Liberia has won awards at several major film festivals, including the Grand Prize at the Alpinist Film Festival, the Emerging Filmmaker Award at X-Dance, and Best Surf Film at the Byron Bay Film Festival, and boasts media coverage in several major surf and non-surf publications worldwide."


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