2004-2005 Archived Historical Events
Ambassador Marquardt Opens the Bertoua American Corner
December 01, 2004 – Bertoua
Ambassador Niels Marquardt, his wife Judi, and the Public Affairs Officer Aric Schwan, opened an American Corner in Bertoua, the largest city in Cameroon’s Eastern province. More than seventy officials from the Urban Council and the Governor’s office attended the program. The Embassy presented more than 1,200 books, including a complete collection of Noveaux Horizons. Two computers, a television, a VCR, an audio cassette player, and a collection of videos and children’s audiotapes were also a part of the donation. After the formal ceremony for the Province’s VIPs, the Embassy hosted an evening event that was open to the public. Several hundred people came to see an American film. Ambassador Marquardt welcomed everyone and used the opportunity to talk about the newly established American Corner.
The opening received substantial regional media coverage and was mentioned on Cameroon’s national Radio and Television. Both the public and private events had audiences that exceeded the venue’s capacity – more than 400 people. Not many foreigners come to the Eastern Province, and program participants went out of their way to show the Ambassador, his wife, and the PAO how much they appreciated a tangible sign of the friendship of United States with all of the people of Cameroon.