Virginia Friends of Mali

Toumani Diabate, Bassekou Kouyate, Djelimady Tounkara on Crisis in Mali   - Interviewed by Banning Eyre of AfroPop Worldwide, three Malian griot/musicians give their take on the situation in Mali, 9 June 2012, between sessions at Celebrate Brooklyn in New York.

Briefing on Mali and the Sahara  Dr RE Poulton is Vice-President of Virginia Friends of Mali,  Professor of French West African Studies in the VCU School of World Studies, Senior Fellow of UNIDIR in Geneva, Managing Partner of EPES Mandala Consulting. He is the author of five books and many articles on Mali. Mali in political chaos There is anarchy in Bamako There is still hope! Conclusion: medium optimism Who are the northern ‘rebels’? Dr Robin Edward Poulton spoke about Mali, Timbuktu and oil wars in the Sahara on July 3rd, 2012 at the prestigious Royal Society for International Affairs in London  (known as "Chatham House" because it is housed in the London mansion of the Earl of Chatham, Prime Minister William Pitt (1708–1778) - a man who supported the position of the American colonies before their revolution against George III).  Click here to read the full presentation.

Saturday, March 3 from 3:30-5pm... Robin Edward Poulton (Macky TALL) and Virginia Vassar (Aissata Daou)  will speak in costume, with pictures and fun toys from Segou, Richmond's sister city in Mali where the real LION KING came from ! Bring the kids, visit the library, come and hear great music from Mali and find out about Virginia's African Heritage. Dr Poulton came back from Mali and Segou just last week Virginia spent a year in a Malian High School before working in Senegal, on the coast of what used to be the Mali Empire - founded by the original Lion King in 1235 and the subject of history teaching for all 6th grade, 4th grade and 3rd grade students in the Virginia school system. Learn while you have fun! See you there ! Richmond Public Library - Main Branch 101 East Franklin Street Richmond, Virginia   23219 www.richmondpubliclibrary.org