For Diplomats, Inaugural Day Brings Goosebumps, Cold Feet
For weeks before the inauguration, Washington’s diplomatic corps traded secrets on how to keep warm while sitting and waiting for hours before President Barack Obama’s swearing-in and his Inaugural Address in front of Capitol Hill on Jan. 20.
 Ambassador of Singapore Chan Heng Chee, dean of the female diplomatic corps and a veteran of bitterly cold inaugurations, surprised her female colleagues with precious hand and foot warmers to keep herself cozy. “These warmers work but they have iron in them,” she warned, “so I hope we all make it past security this year.”
It would be a long day for Washington’s top envoys used to the convenience and the comfort of their own town cars and drivers. Instead, for security’s sake, ambassadors and their spouses were loaded onto eight buses at the State Department and delivered safely to the Hill. Amid all the talk of keeping warm, Mexico’s Veronica Valencia-Sarukhan boasted wearing five layers of clothing, while Dutch Ambassador Renée Jones-Bos sported snow boots that looked invincible. Many ambassadors not accustomed to cold weather, admitted to wearing ski underwear for the first time in their lives.
 According to Acting U.S. Chief of Protocol Gladys Boluda, this was the first time that the chiefs of missions had ever been announced at an inauguration. It was also the first time in recent memory that no heads of state were invited due to security concerns. Another first: Boluda, the beloved career State Department official who worked endlessly to make this inaugural comfortable and meaningful for these diplomats, is the first Cuban-American to ever serve in the position.
Following the ceremony, the diplomatic troupe headed over to the Blair House for a luncheon sponsored by the Presidential Inaugural Committee and the National Democratic Institute (NDI). Layers started coming off as many envoys lingered inside instead of braving their official inaugural parade perch outside. Others, while waiting for the parade along Pennsylvania Avenue, bundled up against the cold air and took pictures of each other in the sparkling sun.
But whether inside or out, the conversation was all about “the speech.”
 Former Secretary of State and NDI Chairwoman Madeleine K. Albright was there with her two daughters, Anne and Alice. “It was a great speech,” Albright said of Obama’s Inaugural Address. “He covered all the bases and captured all important themes for the American people and the rest of the world watching. I especially liked his hand and fist image saying we are ready to have new relationships but we’ll stand up for who we are.”
Global philanthropist George Soros, a Hungarian-born Jewish American philanthropist and political activist, called Obama “a great inspiration.”
“He is not willing to sacrifice our liberties — like the last administration did. He wants to protect our liberties and our safety. He has given a clear signal, a change of direction.”
One top European envoy from a country that still boasts a royal family was overheard telling his diplomatic colleagues, “This would only happen in America, where someone from humble beginnings but with education, vision and drive could become the president of the United States.”
 Japanese Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki praised President Obama’s “serious speech.”
“It would have made America’s forefathers proud,” he said. “First, he asked for everyone to make a sacrifice, to take responsibility…. Secondly, he talked about the economy, security and foreign policy with a global view.”
Claudia Fritsch, the ambassador of Liechtenstein, noted, “It was a great yet sobering speech…. He is a real politician because he deliberately toned down the rhetoric — not being as charismatic as he had been over the campaign — because he wanted to reflect the present mood.”
“You must be very proud of your country,” said Panama’s ambassador, Federico A. Humbert, with a big smile. “President Obama called for everyone to roll up their sleeves and get to work…. It’s good that he told everyone that it isn’t going to be easy. He is straightforward, honest. He said, ‘Everybody, fasten your seat belts!’”
Mexican Ambassador Arturo Sarukhan concurred. “His message was to the point. It was a challenge to re-engage America. He asked Americans to pull up their bootstraps.”
Shamim Jawad, wife of the Afghan ambassador, said she was proud to join Americans during such a momentous day. “It was a thrill to be part of history today. We were up at 6 a.m. to get to the State Department on time but I got goosebumps when I saw all the people on the Mall, waving flags with tears in their eyes. Being here during this historic time witnessing history is a thrill. It was the same kind of thrill I got seven years ago at [Afghan President Hamid] Karzai’s swearing-in.”
Her husband, Afghan Ambassador Said Tayeb Jawad, was also impressed by the speech. “This inaugural address will be remembered for generations to come. There was a balance of optimism and challenges. It was the same caliber of the most historic inaugural addresses.”
Keerteecoomar Ruhee, the ambassador of Mauritius, agreed. “This inaugural had high emotional value,” he said. “The president of the United States can be an inspiration for the world … but I just hope that his hopes and the realities do not collide. We are all looking to the U.S. for leadership for each crisis, each major challenge.”
 Colombian Ambassador Carolina Barco echoed the emotional significance of the moment. “I was so moved. It was inspiring for the U.S. and the rest of the world. And the spirit we have felt leading up to the inauguration and during this inauguration is one of pride and joy, commitment and responsibility. I am so happy that he included the sense of obligation.”
Another ambassador added: “Whether we come from small or big countries, and especially for those of us in Africa, this is really an important change. President Obama says what he thinks is possible and reaches out toward our countries not just out of charity but because of the interests of the United States and your own security.”
Ambassador of Bangladesh M. Humayun Kabir added: “This president is taking a fresh look at the whole world, he is inclusive and for countries like us, that is the most important message that America is ready to engage with the world.”
New Zealand Ambassador Roy Ferguson summed up everyone’s excitement at being in Washington to witness this historic political juncture: “This was a big American occasion but it was great for foreigners like us to hear him — he was speaking to all of us about the problems in the world and how we can, together, overcome them.”
Another distinguished ambassador liked the benediction best. “I like the rhyming part about the white, red, black, brown and yellow Americans. Truly, we are all proud to be Americans today.”
From top to bottom photo:
From left, Ambassador of Paraguay James Spalding, Ambassador of Costa Rica F. Tomás Dueñas, and Ambassador of Chad Mahamoud Adam Bechir capture the moment during the inauguration of President Barack Obama outside Capitol Hill.
Photo: Courtesy of Ambassador of Azerbaijan Yashar Aliyev
Ambassador of Jordan Prince Zeid Ra’ad Zeid Al-Hussein stays warm while showing his national pride at the 56th Inauguration.
Photo: Courtesy of Ambassador of Portugal Joao de Vallera
From left, Chairwoman of the National Democratic Institute Madeleine K. Albright and her two daughters, Anne and Alice Albright, bundle up after the diplomatic corps luncheon to watch the inaugural parade outside Blair House, where ambassadors had an up-front view of the parade route along Pennsylvania Avenue.
Japanese Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki and his wife Yoriko leave Blair House get ready to watch the inaugural parade outside Blair House.
Mrs. and Ambassador of Paraguay James Spalding, top, and Ambassador of Panama and Mrs. Federico A. Humbert take in the inaugural parade.
Front page: Ambassador of Afghanistan Said Tayeb Jawad, left, and Ambassador of Iraq Samir Shakir Mahmood Sumaida’ie get ready to see America’s new president at the 56th Inauguration.
Photos: Gail Scott
Festivities Warm Up at Union Station
For those ambassadors and spouses who braved the cold, the gridlock and the late hour, the trek to the Eastern Inaugural Ball at Union Station — one of 10 official balls on Jan. 20 — was exciting and well worth the trouble.
 Not only was guitarist-singer James Taylor performing (French Ambassador Pierre Vimont’s “favorite American singer” and Monaco’s Ellen Noghès’s muse), but the about-to-be confirmed Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, dropped in on the diplomatic reception held at B. Smith’s restaurant.
“As a senator from New York and the former first lady of the 42nd president of the United States and as hopefully the next Secretary of State, I greet you on behalf of the new president and vice president,” Hillary Clinton said the night before she would be confirmed as America’s top diplomat. “We look forward to working with you,” she told the city’s foreign diplomatic corps. “Progress is possible, although the problems and perils are many. But I am thrilled with the possibilities.”
The envoys in attendance were equally thrilled. Otherwise dignified diplomats jockeyed in position not only to grab some face time with the Clintons, but even used their elbows to have their pictures taken with this American power couple. It seems everyone had a camera handy in a black-tie pocket or evening bag.
The next day, many ambassadors e-mailed their precious pictures with Hillary or Bill to their relatives and friends and of course to their respective foreign ministries. These close-up photos with the new secretary of state or former president became affirmations of access in Washington.
 Although many envoys had gotten up before dawn to make the early call at the State Department (7:45 a.m.) for secure transport to the swearing-in, everyone clearly had enough energy to enjoy the ball and were elated to celebrate an important chapter in U.S. history.
“This American election is a demonstration that applies not only to you but to my country, where a competent, determined, strong candidate overcomes prejudice,” said Brazilian Ambassador Antonio de Aguiar Patriota. “Our new president was a working-class man and your president is an African American man and both of them had to overcome prejudice.”
Sergey Kislyak, the new Russian ambassador, rated President Obama’s speech as “good” and said, “It will have an impact.”
Portuguese Ambassador Joao de Vallera elaborated a bit more: “This man, Barack Obama, is amazing. He has an outstanding presence and an outstanding ability to put strength into words. His inaugural speech was sober, deliberate and nuanced, complex with substance. I think President Obama needs to mobilize people and he did that well, encouraging Americans into public service and going back to the original American values.”
For the diplomats who stayed well past midnight in the cavernous but gorgeous Union Station, their reward was witnessing a visit by the vice presidential couple as well as a still radiant President Obama and his wife Michelle, who then headed home after a very long day and night — ahead of what will surely be a long four years to come.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is the star of the show at the Eastern Inaugural Ball, whose guests included members of the diplomatic corps as well as Americans from the states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Bottom photo: From right, Hillary Clinton’s husband, former U.S. President Bill Clinton, talks to Ambassador of Finland Pekka Lintu and his wife Laurel.
Front page: Ambassador of Portugal Joao de Vallera, left, greets Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the Eastern Inaugural Ball at Union Station, one of 10 official balls held during the inauguration.
Photos: Gail Scott
Power Party at Kuwait
Some of Washington’s top diplomats hosted parties for the inauguration but none had more headliners than the pre-inaugural cocktail buffet for 500 guests at the Kuwaiti Residence on Sunday evening, Jan. 18. Along with Kuwaiti Ambassador Salem Al-Sabah and his wife Rima, hosts included D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty and his wife Michelle, Washington Post publisher Donald Graham, Kenneth and Jacqueline Duberstein, and Leo and Grega Daly.
 This was definitely one of the hottest inaugural invitations. Not surprisingly, the party attracted major Washington players, including: the new National Security Advisor Jim Jones and his wife Diane, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen and his wife Deborah, former Secretary of State Colin Powell and his wife Alma, Obama supporter and U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), Obama Economic Advisor Paul Volker (also on the president’s Economic Recovery Advisory Board), former Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, and former Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff and his wife Meryl.
Guests flew in from New York, Palm Beach, Chicago and even California. Celebrities included opera divas Renée Fleming and Denyce Graves along with composer Marvin Hamlisch and his wife Terre. But it was pianist Peter Duchin tickling the ivories throughout the three-hour meet and greet in Kuwait’s Fountain Room.
 Media stars, meanwhile, included Tina Brown of “The Daily Beast,” David Gregory of “Meet the Press,” conservative columnist George Will, ABC’s George Stephanopoulos, NBC’s Chris Matthews, Fox’s Chris Wallace, CNN’s Wolf Blitzer and Washington Post alums Bob Woodward, Ben Bradlee and his wife Sally Quinn.
Ambassadors included those from the other Gulf States, as well as from Brazil, Britain, Colombia, France, Japan and Mexico.
“We wanted to give an exciting party for this historic time,” said hostess Rima Al-Sabah. And the party certainly fit the bill, with most guests arriving early and staying late, busy greeting old friends and making new contacts in the new administration.
From left, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen, hostess Rima Al-Sabah, Deborah Mullen, and Ambassador of Kuwait Salem Al-Sabah attend a pre-inaugural cocktail buffet at the Kuwaiti Residence given by nine prominent Washingtonians: Kuwaiti Ambassador Al-Sabah and his wife Rima, D.C. Mayor and Mrs. Adrian Fenty, Mr. and Mrs. Leo A. Daly III, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Duberstein, and Washington Post chairman Donald Graham.
Photo: Vicky Pombo, Courtesy of Kuwaiti Embassy
Bottom photo: Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, center, joined Japanese Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki and his wife Yoriko at the Kuwaiti pre-inaugural party.
Front page: From left, “Meet the Press” host David Gregory, Lady Sheinwald and her husband British Ambassador Sir Nigel Sheinwald attend the inaugural celebration at the Kuwaiti Residence.
Photos: Gail Scott
Extremely Hungary for Culture
“Extremely Hungary: Art & Culture Beyond Your Expectations” is a yearlong festival about to begin in Washington and New York that celebrates Hungary’s creative spirit with more than 100 visual, performing and literary arts programs.
The offerings range from a Hungarian moustache contest and underground music series to productions of new Hungarian dramas and culinary showcases. And it all kicks off in Washington this Saturday with famed Hungarian composer György Kurtág performing the world premiere of “Hommage à Bartók” at the Library of Congress.
 Although tickets are no longer available to this Saturday’s concert, on the following day, Sun., Feb. 8, Beáta Palya, fresh from her American debut at Carnegie Hall, will perform her unique blend of Hungarian folk, jazz and Gypsy vocals in a free concert at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage. This is a great opportunity to see and hear this rising young international sensation from Hungary.
In March, two Washington exhibitions will spotlight Hungarian visual arts. The National Museum of Women in the Arts presents “Picturing Progress: Hungarian Women Photographers, 1910-1946,” showcasing the wealth of photographic images that women produced during this very tumultuous period in Hungarian history. Also, American University’s Katzen Arts Center will be presenting the first American retrospective of Hungarian avant-garde artist Lajos Vajda featuring Vajda’s striking collages, paintings and monumental charcoal drawings juxtaposed with photographs and video art by other Hungarian contemporary artists.
Washington program partners include the Newseum and the National Gallery and in New York, the 92nd Street Y and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).
Hungarian Ambassador Ferenc Somogyi said he is delighted with this yearlong festival showcasing his country. “We are happy to have these treasures in Washington …so that our American and international partners, as well as Washingtonians at large, can experience what we Hungarians are about.”
For more information, visit www.huembwas.org or www.extremelyhungary.org.
Among the featured artists kicking off the D.C. portion of the yearlong “Extremely Hungary: Art & Culture Beyond Your Expectations” festival are famed Hungarian composer György Kurtág (front page) and singer Beáta Palya, above.
Photos: Courtesy of the Hungarian Embassy
Flamenco for February!
 To heat up a cold February, the George Washington University’s Lisner Auditorium offers up its ninth annual Flamenco Festival that includes three Washington premieres featuring some of the world’s top flamenco dancers and music.
This year featured artists include vocalist Arcángel with pianist Dorantes and dancer Rosario Toledo; the Antonio Gades Company’s passionate interpretation of “Carmen”; and members of the legendary gypsy family Los Farruco.
Begun as “España” in 2001, this festival quickly garnered critical acclaim and public support. Rosanna Ruscetti, then director of Lisner Auditorium, along with Spanish producer Miguel Marín, began introducing flamenco performers from Spain to Washington. Today, the D.C. festival also travels to New York City, Boston, Miami, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Over the years, with the help of local sponsors, the Flamenco Festival has added various community events. This year, on Feb. 5, there will be a flamenco dance class on Lisner’s stage as well as several ham-and-cheese pre-performance tastings sponsored by Jaleo, a well-known Spanish tapas restaurant in Washington.
“Although flamenco is as an art form born out of suffering and turmoil,” explained Carl J. Graci, Lisner’s marketing manager, “it is a also a tribute to the enduring strength of the human spirit finding joy and beauty in life. Flamenco still resonates in our world today … continuing to express the complexity of passions and emotions that all of us share.”
For more information and tickets, visit www.flamencofestival.org.
Photos: Flamenco Festival USA
THE WASHINGTON DIPLOMAT
P.O. Box 1345 Silver Spring, MD 20915-1345
Tel: 301.933.3552 Fax: 301.949.0065
www.washdiplomat.com
|
