Washington Life Magazine - October 2015

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German Ambassador Peter Wittig and Huberta von Voss-Wittig

MODERN DIPLOMACY Your complete Guide to Embassy Row

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Exclusive images of the pope’s trip to washington A Traveler’s Guide to peru | Essential cuba | The Near East Foundation celebrates 100 years ’70s fashion at the Italian Embassy | The Capitals’ Tom Wilson and Michael Latta

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personal glimpses of 20 top diplomats | Inside the German Ambassador’s residence how embassies impact the local economy | Envoys who Tweet

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EDITOR'S LETTER

POLLYWOOD HOLLYWOOD ON THE POTOMAC

FEATURES

He Named Me Malala ..........................................

An Evening with Sharon Stone ............................. A CENTURY OF AMERICAN HUMANITARIANISM WITH THE Pope Francis' Visit to Washington ........................... NEAR EAST FOUNDATION ......................... The Saudi Arabian King's Visit ............................. AMBASSADORS DIRECTORY A comprehensive guide to navigating the places and faces on embassy row ...........................

Race and Reconciliation in America dinner...................

TRAVEL Cuba, Si!............................................. TRAVEL Essential Peru .......................................

LIFESTYLES

FYIDC INSIDER'S GUIDE ..................................... THE DISH Swedish Embassy Chef ........................ WHO'S NEXT The Embassy of Panama's Karla Gonzalez ................

SOCIAL CALENDAR ....................................

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FASHION EDITORIAL Boho Glam ................. TREND REPORT Victorian Gothic .................. GLITTERATI Baroque Bijoux ........................... DINE AND DISH Washington Capitals' Tom Wilson and Michael Latta..............................

PERFECT PITCH Diverse Flair with Karen ZacarIas ............................ Parties, Parties, Parties! ..........................................

WASHINGTON SOCIAL DIARY

HOME LIFE

AROUND TOWN Ultimate Achiever....................

INSIDE HOMES German Amb. Peter Wittig and Huberta von Voss-Wittig ..............................

LIFE OF THE PARTY

Cafritz Welcome Back from Summer Party ..................

After Dark @THEARC.....................................

N Street Village Empowerment Luncheon ...................

Joan Hisaoka Make a Difference Gala .................... Vital Voices Leadership Awards ................................ NSO Opening Night Ball ...................................

NOFAS Gala ...................................................

WNO Opening Night Ball ..................................

OVER THE MOON Chukkers & Toppers .............

Wolf Trap Ball ....................................................

Harvard Business School Gala...............................

REAL ESTATE NEWS Bringing the Past to the Future .................................

OPEN HOUSE Family Friendly.......................... INTERIOR DESIGN Stona's Showroom ........... MY WASHINGTON Stuart Holliday ....................................................

ON THE COVER German Ambassador Peter Wittig and his wife Huberta von Voss-Wittig at their residence (photo by Tony Powell); TOP FROM LEFT Swedish Embassy chef Frida Johansson for The Dish (photo by Jay Snap); Hungarian Ambassador Réka Szemerkényi for the Ambassador's Directory (photo by Tony Powell); Postcards from Cuba for Cuban Travel story (photo by John Arundel);Jean-Marie Fernandez with David and Carrie Marriott and Carolina Corredor at After Dark @THEARC (photo by Jay Snap); Pope Francis visits Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington (photo by Tony Powell); ABOVE ALEXANDER MCQUEEN punk skull pearl pedant necklace, ($695); saksfifthavenue.com

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WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| O C T O B E R | washingtonlife.com

T H E I N S I D E R’S G U I D E TO P OW E R , P H I L A N T H R O PY, A N D SO C I E T Y S I N C E 1 9 9 1

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Nancy Reynolds Bagley EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Virginia Coyne SENIOR EDITOR

Kevin Chaffee MANAGING EDITOR

Laura Wainman ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Erica Moody COLUMNISTS AND CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Janet Donovan, Roland Flamini, Patrick McCoy,Vicky Moon, Stacey Grazier Pfarr and Donna Shor ART DIRECTOR

Matt Rippetoe PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHER

Tony Powell CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Ben Droz, Alfredo Flores,Vithaya Phongsavan, Kyle Samperton and Jay Snap

PUBLISHER & CEO

Soroush Richard Shehabi ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

John H. Arundel ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Denise Rossi BOOKKEEPER

Trina Hodges WEB TECHNOLOGIES DEVELOPMENT

Eddie Saleh,Triposs Mihail Iliev LEGAL

Mason Hammond Drake, Greenberg Traurig LLP INTERNS

Catherine Trifiletti and Erica Tropp FOUNDER

Vicki Bagley CREATIVE DIRECTOR EMERITUS (*)

J.C. Suarès CHAIRMAN, EXECUTIVE BOARD

Gerry Byrne Washington Life magazine publishes ten times a year. Issues are distributed in February, March, April, May, June, July/August, September, November, and December and are hand-delivered on a rotating basis to over 150,000 homes throughout D.C., Northern Virginia, and Maryland. Additional copies are available at various upscale retailers, hotels, select newstands, and Whole Foods stores in the area. For a complete listing, please consult our website at www.washingtonlife.com. You can also subscribe online at www.washingtonlife.com or send a check for $79.95 (one year) to: Washington Life Magazine, 2301 Tracy Place NW, Washington D.C., 20008. BPA audited. Email us at info@washingtonlife.com with press releases, tips, and editorial comments. Copyright ©2011 by Washington Life. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial content or photos in any manner without permission is strictly prohibited. Printed in the United States. We will not be responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. *deceased

EDITOR’S LETTER

MODERN DIPLOMACY D

iplomats are an essential element of life in the nation’s capital. It’s hard to imagine Washington without embassies, consulates, chanceries, military missions and grand ambassadorial residences. The envoys representing 176 nations help the local economy, make cultural contributions and are our neighbors and friends. German Ambassador Peter Wittig, who graciously opened his residence for this month’s Inside Homes feature, notes that while his chief mission is talking about major issues with serious decisionmakers, the social aspects of his job are important as well. “We love to host a great variety of events — political, diplomatic in the traditional sense, but also cultural and intellectual things,” he told us. “That’s part of our vision on how modern diplomacy should be.” This is why we produce this issue each year. Not only is our annual Diplomatic Directory a comprehensive guide to Embassy Row, it’s also a very personal way to introduce readers to the current ambassadors and provide glimpses into various aspects of their lives. We would be remiss not to mention Pope Francis’ historic trip to the U.S. last month.While documenting the visit for the Archdiocese of Washington, our principal photographer Tony Powell managed to snap this selfie with the pontiff. See more of his photos inside, where we also highlight papal diplomacy with a feature on the Vatican’s man in Washington, Archibishop Carlos Maria Viganò. The global sphere is changing all around us, and perhaps nowhere is that more evident than in Latin America and the Caribbean, where last year Pope Francis helped score a dramatic breakthrough in the 56-year economic and diplomatic rift between Cuba and the United States by playing a crucial role in the negotiations that led to reestablishing bi-lateral ties. Associate Publisher John Arundel traveled with five other journalists to Havana and Cuba’s fertile Vinales Valley, interviewing Cubans embracing a reinvigorated friendship with Americans, and witnessing first hand some of the early changes forged by the easing of sanctions and travel restrictions by President Obama. Senior Editor Kevin Chaffee also traveled south to explore the many wonderful sights of Peru, including Lima, Cusco and of course the incredible Machu Picchu, the “Lost City of the Incas” — one of the most impressive monuments in the world.

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On the global level, we are seeing the largest migration of refugees to Europe since World War II. Associate Editor Erica Moody highlights the Near East Foundation, an organization that has been influencing American philanthropy abroad since 1915. In sports, the boys of the ice are back and more ready than ever to vie for the Stanley Cup. For this month’s Dine and Dish column, Managing Editor Laura Wainman went to Pepito and Kapnos Taverna with the Washington Capitals’ young physical forwards Tom Wilson and Michael Latta, who are both expected to step up and play bigger roles on the team this year. New York Fashion Week proved that the back-tothe-’70s trend is here to stay and our fashion team went to the chic Italian Embassy to celebrate “Boho Glam” in all its flared-pants-andwhite-fur glory. Fall social season calendars are jam-packed and our October issue features coverage of many WL-sponsored events, including After Dark @ THEARC, the Joan Hisaoka Make a Difference Gala, the Ambassador’s Ball, NOFAS Gala, N Street Village’s Empowerment Luncheon and the Harvard Business School Gala, as well as exclusive coverage of a dinner honoring Smithsonian African American History and Culture Museum Director Lonnie Bunch, Jane and Calvin Cafritz’ annual Welcome Back from Summer Soiree, an Evening with Sharon Stone, dinners honoring the King of Saudi Arabia and so much more. In November, we’ll highlight the WL-sponsored Susan G. Komen Honoring the Promise Gala, the Mentor Foundation’s International Gala, CharityWorks’ Dream Ball and the Boys and Girls Clubs’ National Youth of the Year Awards.

Nancy R. Bagley Editor in Chief Readers wishing to contact Nancy Bagley can email her at nbagley@washingtonlife.com

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| O C T O B E R | washingtonlife.com

FYIDC The Insider’s Guide to Washington BY ERICA MOODY

EQUESTRIAN EXCELLENCE

Saddle up for six days of world-class international show jumping and top national hunter and equitation competition at the 57th annual Washington International Horse Show, one of the most prestigious horse shows in the country. More than 500 of the best horses and riders in the world, including Olympic veterans, will compete for honors including the Saturday night $125,000 President’s Cup Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Washington honor, presented by Events DC, where the winning rider will be presented with the President of the United States Perpetual Cup, a trophy given to the show in 1961 by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. October 2025, Tickets are available at Ticketmaster. com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the Verizon Center Box Office, wihs.org.

FASHION GROUP INTERNATIONAL AT CITYCENTER

Trendy talks

Luxury retailers LouisVuitton and DavidYurman (and soon Gucci and Dior) are popping up at CityCenterDC, posing a challenge to those who dare think this city is unfashionable.The Washington chapter of the nonprofit Fashion Group International (FGI) is hosting an event to help you get your fashion fix there. The Fall/Winter 2015 Trend & Fashion Presentation will feature discussions with industry style experts including Gilt City DC’s Marissa Schneider and celebrity stylist James Cornwell. October 6, 6 -8 p.m. at Fig & Olive, 934 Palmer Alley NW, $20 for members and $35 for non-members, fgi.org.

DC VEGFEST

food for thought Partake in a day of plant-based eating at the annual DC VegFest, hosted by Compassion Over Killing and founded by the Vegetarian Society in 1997. Be among a crowd of 15,000 attendees at the event that grows in size every year. There will be complimentary food samples, more than 130 vendors, cooking demonstrations and celebrity appearances. FREE admission, Saturday, Oct. 3, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., The Yards Park, 355 Water St. SE, rain or shine, dcvegfest.com, Use #DCVegFest15 on social media.

JEFFERSON VINEYARDS

ROCKIN’ WINERY

The autumn months are ideal for weekend getaways in Virginia, so take in the scenery, sip some quality wine and enjoy live music at Charlottesville’s Jefferson Vineyards. The family-owned winery and vineyard, located where Thomas Jefferson and Philip Mazzei first began the American wine revolution, has been producing award-winning wines for 34 years. Alternative-Americana band Bryan Elijah Smith & The Wild Hearts play on Oct. 17. FREE admission, Dogs are welcome and small tents allowed. 1353 Thomas Jefferson Parkway, Charlottesville, Virginia 22902, 434-977-3042, jeffersonvineyards.com/events.

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HALLOWEEN ACTIVITIES

FRIGHTFUL FUN

Celebrate Halloween in the District with these spook-tacular suggestions. ANIMAL NIGHTS: Trick or treat your way through the National Zoo

at two festive annual events:. Dress to impress at the adults-only “Night of the Living Zoo,” an evening that includes a costume contest, glow in the dark lawn games and dancing. At the family-oriented “Boo at the Zoo,” you’ll find more than 40 treat stations, a hay maze and scarecrow field, animal demonstrations and decorated trails for a Halloween your little goblins will never forget. Boo at the Zoo is Oct. 23-25, Night of the Living Zoo is Oct. 30, For more information, visit nationalzoo.si.edu/events. MYSTERIOUS MEAL: Don Gatsby-inspired ensembles for a 1920s-

themed murder mystery dinner and show at the Grille at Morrison House. Guests are invited to play along and discover “who done it.”The evening will begin with live piano music and a cocktail hour, followed by a three-course dinner. For those interested in making a night of it, the Morrison House will be offering a 15 percent discount room package available by going online using the code “PARTYY.” The allinclusive dinner is $100 per person and begins at 7 p.m. on Oct. 31, 116 South Alfred Street, Alexandria,Virginia 22314, (703) 838-8000.

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| o c to b e r

2015

| washingtonlife.com

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WASHINGTON INTERNATIONAL HORSE SHOW

FYIDC | THE DISH

COOKING FOR KINGS, QUEENS AND PRIME MINISTERS A conversation with Swedish Embassy chef Frida Johansson BY GAIL SCOTT

T

his job is a world on a plate,” says Fr ida Johansson, the Swedish Embassy’s executive chef, during a private cooking demonstration for Washington Life at Ambassador Björn Lyrvall’s residence. “I cook for a broad crowd.” Johansson is one of very few women who prepare food for kings, queens and prime ministers. “I’ve cooked four or five times for Her Majesty Queen Silvia, who was here last month for the Mentor Foundation Gala. I used to get nervous when I cooked for royalty but don’t anymore,” Johansson says. “I get excited instead.” Swedish food, she notes, is fresh, seasonal and healthy. “We eat a lot of fish, seafood and berries. I import fresh frozen lingonberries all year ’round, cloudberries and sea buckthorns, which are very rare, very sour, full of vitamin C, and found only in Swedish Embassy Chef Nordic countries. I don’t import Frida Johansson (Photo by Jay Snap) much but I do import berries.” Johannson, who likes to “bring new ways of cooking to the old traditional Swedish way,” explains how she experiments. “I can get very funky, artsy, crazy … every dish is what you see and smell, not just what you taste. I like a surprise in my food, maybe something that will pop in your mouth. I do molecular cooking but it’s hard when we have so many big parties.” She does like to sample what other people cook and eats out all the time. “I like really good American food like burgers and mac and cheese – but creamier and lighter with truffles or bacon. I try new foods once, twice and maybe three times. If I don’t like them then, I give up,” she admits. On her no-no list: intestines and brains. For a recent party at House of Sweden for 500 people to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of the great Swedish actress Ingrid Bergman, Johannson served wild boar, venison and

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lobster hors d’oeurves along with a glorious dessert buffet. She has to keep within budget, which requires making choices to ensure overall quality and good, fresh ingredients. “I would rather spend money on berr ies and save by not order ing foie gras,” she says, mentioning that she orders fish from Congressional Seafood and meat from Wagshal’s. “Pam the butcher there is the best in town,” Johannson says. “She’s legendary.” One of her major challenges is working alone without other colleagues in the kitchen. She does, however, have a “network of embassy chefs, especially from Nordic embassies, and we call on each other for big events.” Johansson has been the Swedish Embassy’s chef for five years. Previously she worked at a half dozen Swedish restaurants as well as restaurants in Italy and Belg ium. She started cooking at home when she was 14. “I grew up on Johansson’s desserts often feature homemade food,” she fresh berries. (Photo by Jay Snap) says. Her big opportunity came when as a high school student she won the Leonardo Da Vinci scholarship for one month of study at a Belgian restaurant school followed by four months in the kitchens of two of Antwerp’s best restaurants. “I had the time of my life. I had seven Michelin-stared chefs around me and a French chef who always said that everything was bad. On the day I left, he took me aside and said, ‘You are the best student I have ever had.’” “Being a chef is a lifestyle, not just a job. Food brings us together.”

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| O C T O B E R | washingtonlife.com

FYIDC | WHO’S NEXT

WHO’S NEXT The Embassy of Panama’s Karla Gonzalez is a rising star on a mission BY ERICA MOODY

A

Fulbright scholar and former transactional attorney, Karla Gonzalez, 29, is the Embassy of Panama’s deputy chief of mission. She speaks of a journey devoted to scholarship and service.

WHEN DID YOU START WORKING AT THE EMBASSY, WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO THIS ROLE AND WHAT DO YOU DO? I started working at the Embassy four years ago as part of my post-Fulbright commitment, following a stint at a New York City law firm. In terms of transition, it wasn’t about a client’s needs anymore but about the country’s national interests. I quickly fell in love with the possibility of contributing to my country in some way and making it a better Panama for Panamanians. What started as a short term

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YOU ARE VERY ACCOMPLISHED AND PRESUMABLY VERY BUSY. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU LIKE TO DO AROUND TOWN TO UNWIND? Concerts. To me, there’s nothing like live music. I also love to draw and paint pieces inspired by the local architecture that only I can call “art”; it’s mostly unintentionally abstract paintings that I will only hang in my apartment.

commitment, is now my current job. I am the senior advisor to the Ambassador of Panama on bilateral matters with the United States, which is a great honor that carries great responsibility. Panama’s alliance with the U.S. is one of the most strategic and durable in the hemisphere. THE FULBRIGHT SCHOLARSHIP IS AN AMAZING ACHIEVEMENT. CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT RECEIVING THAT HONOR FELT LIKE AND HOW HARD YOU WORKED TO GET IT? Honestly, I was surprised I passed the exams, and even more in shock that I scored the highest in the country. The multiple Fulbright exams and interviews are designed to test all of your academic abilities, but also your weaknesses. I wasn’t sure my score in physics (yes, physics!) was going to be the best; after all, I was going to law school. But there’s a life lesson there: you succeed when you are able

WHAT DO YOU MISS ABOUT PANAMA? I miss the beach. Panama is forever connected to the sea and it shapes who we are and our place in the world. I miss the short distances and having lunch with my family at home every day. I miss the roads that will take you from our very modern city to the beautiful countryside in no time. I miss our people and their kindness, our food, our slang, and the feeling of being at home. I miss long conversations in Spanish and our beautiful old quarter (Casco Viejo). And did I mention I miss the beach? YOU ALREADY HAVE A DISTINGUISHED CAREER. WHAT’S NEXT? WHAT’S YOUR ULTIMATE LIFE AMBITION? I don’t have a singular, ultimate life ambition. I think the journey is all about the collective experiences and relationships one accumulates over time that lead to a truly rich life. I do have personal and humanitarian values that guide that journey, which can be summed up in the Latin American maxim: “enjoy life and help live.” If I have done both of those fully, I can say I’ve had a good life.

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| O C T O B E R | washingtonlife.com

P H OTO BY TO N Y P OW E L L

YOU MOVED TO THE U.S. FROM PANAMA TO ATTEND HARVARD LAW SCHOOL. WHAT WAS THE TRANSITION LIKE? The “American way” isn’t foreign to Panamanians because of the historical relationship between Panama and the U.S. In my case, I grew up in the city in the ’80s and ’90s, with “Seinfeld,” twinkies, and friends from the Canal Zone, so the transition was a comfortable one in terms of culture and general understanding. I must admit, though, that Google Maps saved my life a few times. I grew up speaking English and Spanish at school: it wasn’t thrilling to take World History twice a day in different languages but it served me well later on. Coming from a very close and annoyingly happy Latin American family, it was hard to be away from my loved ones although technology made it a tad better: Skype wasn’t optimal, but came in handy especially in that time of the year when it gets dark at 4 p.m. and is really cold!

to combine your abilities and use your weaknesses to solve a problem. How I think I achieved it? My parents made sure that my education consisted of an integral training of the brain, body, and soul – and I am grateful for that every day.

FYIDC | SOCIAL CALENDAR

OCTOBER

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MORRIS K UDALL AWARDS DINNER

Join chairmen Michael J. Fox, Morton Kondracke, and Diane Rehm at this year’s Parkinson’s Action Network dinner in celebration of the Parkinson’s community and the advancements being made to eradicate the disease. Ronald Reagan Building; 6 p.m.; black-tie; $300; sponsorships start at $1,000; contact Christopher Vance, 202-638-4101 x108, cvance@parkinsonsaction.org.

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SPANISH CATHOLIC CENTER GALA This year’s “Humility. Service. Love.”-themed event includes cocktails, dinner and dancing in support of the Catholic Charities Spanish Catholic Center. Catholic Charities’ president and CEO will speak alongside gala chairmen Laura and William Kappaz during the evening. Ronald Reagan Building; 6:30 p.m.; black-tie; $500; sponsorships start at $1,500; contact Carmen Joya, 202-772-4334, Carmen.Joya@ CatholicCharitiesDC.org.

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HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN NATIONAL DINNER

This sold-out evening in support of LGBT equality marks the Human Rights Campaign’s 19th national dinner and auction. Walter E. Washington Convention Center; 6 p.m.; black-tie optional; $400; sponsorships start at $3,000; contact www.hrcnationaldinner.org.

Aimee Garcia and Emily Rios at the 2014 Noche de Gala dinner (photo by Tony Powell)

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PEN/FAULKNER CELEBRATION

Listen to readings from noted authors including Elliot Ackerman, Molly Antopol, and Susan Coll during this celebratory evening, which supports PEN/Faulkner programs. A buffet-style dinner with food prepared by local chefs will follow the readings. Folger Shakespeare Library; 6:30 p.m.; cocktail attire; $500; sponsorships start at $1,000; contact Elizabeth Gutting, 202-898-9063, egutting@ penfaulkner.org.

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NOCHE DE GALA DINNER Join hosts Jimmy Smits, Merel Julia, and Esai Morales, among others, for an evening celebrating Latinos in the media, telecommunications and entertainment industries at this year’s National Hispanic Foundation Gala. Renaissance Mayflower Hotel; 6:30 p.m.; black-tie; sponsorships start at $5,000; contact info@hispanicarts.org, www.hispanicarts.org.

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ANGELS IN ADOPTION

Emcees Korie and Willie Robinson of “Duck Dynasty” will be the highlight of this inspiring evening; the event will honor individuals, couples, and organizations that are instrumental in supporting children in need of adoption. Ronald Reagan Building; 6:30 p.m.; cocktail attire; $250; sponsorships start at $1,000; contact Allison Coble, 202-544-8500, allison@ ccainstitute.org.

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INOVA SUMMIT AND GALA Pulitzer Prize winner Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee will be just one of the many influential speakers at this year’s INOVA Summit. Join Northern Virginia’s most respected leaders for two days of connections and ideas, and spend Saturday night at the spectacular auction and dinner. Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner; reception and auction 6 p.m., dinner and awards 8 p.m.; black-tie; $1,000; sponsorships start at $5,000; contact Kara Burke, 703-289-2077, Kara.Burke@ inova.org.

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NIGHT NOUVEAU This year’s “Game of Thrones”-themed event will include an open bar, food tastings, and a spe-

cial appearance from DJ Kristian Nairn. Halcyon House; 8 p.m.; “Game of Thrones”-inspired or cocktail attire; $200; sponsorships start at $1,000; contact David Corson, d.corson@sandr.org.

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MERIDIAN BALL Dessert, dancing, and conversation at the Meridian House serve as the perfect culmination to an evening. that includes an ambassador-hosted dinner or one at the Meridian’s White-Myer House. Meridian House; 7 p.m.; black-tie or military equivalent; $450-$650; sponsorships start at $5,000; contact Olivia Dorieux, 202-939-5892, odorieux@meridian.org.

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NATIONAL ITALIANAMERICAN FOUNDATION TH ANNIVERSARY This year’s NIAF gala is part of a three day celebration and will celebrate the heritage of both Italians and Italian Americans. Marriott Wardman Park Hotel; 5:30 p.m.; black-tie; $400; sponsorships start at $1,500; contact Jerry Jones, 202-939-3102, jerry@niaf.org.

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IMAGINATION STAGE GALA You’ll enjoy an original show and amazing auction at this year’s gala, which supports programs that encourage creativity for children around the world. Imagination Stage; 6:30 p.m.; black-tie optional; $300; sponsorships start at $1,000; contact Emily Wilson, 301-280-1626, ewilson@imaginationstage.org.

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HOPE AND PROGESS GALA The evening will benefit Sibley Memorial Hospital and proceeds may surpass the $910,000 donated last year. Four Seasons Hotel; 6:30 p.m.; black-tie; $750; sponsorships start at $2,500; contact Kristen Pruski, 202-537-4257, KPruski@jhmi.edu.

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BEST BUDDIES FRIENDSHIP WALK Join participants from all over the country who will be walking for equal opportunities for the mentally challenged. The Washington

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FYIDC | SOCIAL CALENDAR

Monument; 8:15 a.m.; sponsorships start at $2,500; contact Natalie Van Eron, 305-374-2233 x345, NatalieVanEron@bestbuddies.org.

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USO GALA Members of Congress and military leaders will gather at this year’s event, which includes dinner and an evening program. Heroes from each branch of the armed forces will be honored. Walter E. Washington Convention Center; 6 p.m.; black-tie or military equivalent; $1,000; sponsorships start at $7,500; contact Emily Farwig, 703-740-4970, EFarwig@uso.org.

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CHEFS FOR EQUALITY Enjoy incredible food prepared by over 70 chefs, bakers, and mixologists during this tasty evening, which supports LGBT equality. The Ritz-Carlton; 7 p.m.; festive attire; $200; contact www.chefsforequality.org.

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WHITE HAT GALA Help protect vulnerable children and support the Children’s National Health System while networking with cyber security professionals at an evening featuring cocktails, dinner, and dancing. Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium; 6:30 p.m.; black-tie optional; $500; sponsorships start at $2,500; contact Cristy Heffernan, 301-565-8424, cheffern@childrensnational.org.

in support of the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center. Washington Hilton; 6 p.m.; black-tie; $500 ($200 young professionals 35-and-under); sponsorships start at $2,500; contact Sharon Courtin, 202-687-3866, sc830@georgetown.edu.

Iris de Graaf and Grenada Amb. Angus Friday at the 2014 Meridian Ball (photo by Tony Powell)

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PRESIDENTS CUP PARTY AT THE WASHINGTON INTERNATIONAL HORSE SHOW Where else can you watch Olympic-level show jumping and enjoy cocktails, boutique shopping, silent auctions and dinner? Verizon Center; 7 p.m.; cocktail/equestrian chic; $150; sponsorships start at $2,500; contact Nara de Sá Guimarães, 202-5253679, nara@wihs.org.

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KIDNEY BALL The Temptations will be the highlight of the evening at this Masquerade Ball, which will also include cocktails, dinner and auctions.The event will also honor leaders in the fight against kidney disease. Omni Shoreham Hotel; 6:30 p.m.; black-tie; $350; sponsorships start at $5,000; contact Michael Cleary, 202-244-7900 x706, Michael.cleary@kidney.org.

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THE CHEF’S ROAST Support the Chef Action Network and the Food Policy Action Education Fund at this year’s roast, which LUNGEVITY will honor Chef Tom Colicchio. Union Market; FOUNDATION’S 6 p.m.; business/cocktail; $500; sponsorships start at MUSICAL CELEBRATION $1,000; contact Rachel Berger, 202-547-5797, RaOF HOPE GALA chel.berger@bhstrategiesllc.com. Support lung cancer research and programs AMERICA ABROAD at this inspiring New Orleans-themed gala. MEDIA “THE POWER OF Awards will be presented to Richard Pazdur FILM” AWARDS DINNER and Tom Monahan for their contributions towards Lungevity’s goal of a world where America Abroad Media will host its third annual no one dies of lung cancer. Andrew W. Mel- “Power of Film” awards dinner honoring Argo, lon Auditorium; 7 p.m.; black-tie; $500; contact Difret, Turkish journalist and broadcaster Mithat Carol Perline, 240-454-3104, cperline@LUN- Bereket and Emirati media executive Noura AlKaabi.The “Power of Film” highlights outstandGevity.org. ing leaders whose work exemplifies the power LOMBARDI GALA of media to inform, educate, and empower citiThe evening includes a raffle of a 2015 zens about the critical social and public policy Lexus RC 350 F Sport as well as cock- issues of our time. Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium. tails, dinner, dancing, and an awards ceremony, all 6:30pm.; cocktail attire; $350 or $1,000 per person.

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WALK THIS WAY FASHION SHOW This year’s fashion show at the Italian Embassy will support the Becky’s Fund’s Men of Code program, and will showcase both male and female athletes on the runway. Italian Embassy; 6:30 p.m.; cocktail attire; $250; sponsorships start at $5,000; contact info@beckysfund.org.

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D.C. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE’S CHOICE AWARDS AND GALA Join gala co-chairwomen Christine Warnke and Donna Ratley Washington to celebrate organizations and individuals whose contributions are making Washington a better place to do business. Nearly 1,200 Washington’s dignitaries, corporate citizens and business owners will be there to celebrate the year’s business and civic successes. Marriott Marquis; 6 p.m.; black-tie; $450; sponsorships start at $3,000; contact Tiffany Green, 202-347-7201, tgary@dcchamber.org.

SAVE THE DATE :/ 6321625(' (9(176

NOV HARMAN CENTER FOR THE ARTS GALA

NOV HIGHER ACHIEVEMENT’S GOING PLACES GALA NOV FIGHT NIGHT NOV KNOCK OUT ABUSE AGAINST WOMEN NOV NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WOMEN IN THE ARTS FALL BENEFIT NOV FAIR CHANCE BUTTERFLY BASH NOV D C WINGS OF HOPE GALA

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LIFE OF THE PARTY WL-sponsored and Exclusive Events | After Dark @THEARC, Hisaoka Gala, NSO Opening Night and more!

Ernie and Debbi Jarvis at the Wolf Trap Ball (Photo by Jay Snap)

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LIFE

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Edmund Fleet and Mayor Muriel Bowser Jack Evans, Kay Kendall and Jack Davies

Chris Smith WL SPONSORED

AFTER DARK @THEARC

Jane Ottenberg and Richard Creighton

THEARC | PHOTOS BY TONY POWELL

Jean-Marie and Raul Fernandez

A DECADE OF MAKING A DIFFERENCE: To ring in 10 years, THEARC pulled out all the stops to ensure that its sixth annual gala was the most successful ever — and it was, attracting more than 570 guests while raising more than $1 million. Founder and board chairman Chris Smith announced that THEARC would be expanding with a $32 million, 90,000-square-foot campus called Phase III, set to break ground this fall. The new building will include a teaching kitchen, third through eighth grade classes of The Bishop Walker School for Boys, the headquarters of AppleTree (which will offer a school for three- and four-year-olds), and a black box theater to serve as the permanent home for the I CAN @THEARC theater internship program. Lastly, Smith announced that the Phillips Collection would be THEARC’s new resident art museum partner, offering free multi-generational arts-infused programs. Kimberly Douglass, Edmund Fleet, Michael Murphy and Jean-Marie Fernandez performed a flash singalong of “10 Years More” based on “One Day More” from “Les Miserables.”

Ayanna Hudson, Ed Davis and Ann Ashmore-Hudson

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Eugene and Gina Adams

Rhona Friedman, Mark McFadden and Linda Roth

Children from the Washington Ballet and Bishop Walker School for Boys

Nancy Tartt, Nora Pouillon and Lyn McFadden 28

Victor Shargai and David Grosso

The Ballou High School marching band WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

David and Carrie Marriott with Septime Webre

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Earl and Amanda Stafford

Knox Singleton and Lauren Peterson

Bob Hisaoka and Katherine Bradley WL SPONSORED

JOAN HISAOKA ‘MAKE A DIFFERENCE’ GALA Omni Shoreham Hotel | PHOTOS BY TONY POWELL

David Bradley and Adrienne Arsht

LATE LEGACY Score yet another record-breaker for the Make a Difference Gala team. Last year’s attendance and fundraising records got smashed once again after more than 500 donors raised approximately $1.6 million for Life with Cancer, The Smith Center for Healing and the Arts and the Brem Foundation to Defeat Breast Cancer (bringing the cumulative total of the gala since inception to $9 million). The crowd was particularly generous during the 10-minute “Fund a Need” portion of the evening, donating $160,000 right on the spot. The gala continues to reduce its cost, allowing a record breaking 85 percent of the proceeds to be sent to the beneficiaries. OTHER SUPPORTERS: Ted and Lynn Leonsis, Raul and Jean-Marie Fernandez, Neil and Marcy Cohen, Steve and Marie Schram, John and Mona Oswald, Gina Adams, Michelle Freeman and Scott and Patrice Brickman.

Rick Kay with Tom and Alice Blair

Alan and Ashley Dabbiere

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Tina and Gary Mather Mai Abdo with Diane and Tony Williams Jim Abdo and Kay Kendall

Mark Lowham, Cedric Brown and Ron Herman 30

Bonnie and Dick Patterson

Sachiko Kuno

Brenda and Mark Moore WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

Kristin Ehrgood and Vadim Nikitine

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Deborah Rutter, David Rubenstein and Jeanne Ruesch Elise and Marc Lefkowitz

NSO SEASON OPENING BALL

Michael Olding and Liechtenstein Amb. Claudia Fritsche

Sutton Foster

The Kennedy Center | PHOTOS BY TONY POWELL THE SOUND OF MUSIC: The National Symphony Orchestra opened its 85th season with a spirited and innovative performance featuring world-renowned percussionist Martin Grubinger and Broadway vocalist Su on Foster. Kennedy Center Chairman David Rubenstein noted the event coincided with the 45th season of the center and the first anniversary of president Deborah Ru er taking the helm. The NSO’s 2015 Diamond and Sapphire Ball, chaired by Marc and Elise Le owitz, followed the show. That’s where glamorously-clad patrons took to the dance floor as dozens of chandeliers sparkled overhead.

Art and Sela Collins

German Amb. Peter Wittig and Huberta von Voss-Wittig with Laura Denise Bisogniero and Italian Amb. Claudio Bisogniero

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Mary Ourisman, Rohini Talall and Marcia Mayo

Wilhelmina Holladay and Opera Chairman Jacqueline Badger Mars

Gala Chairman Constance Milstein de la Haye-Saint Hillaire sports a special tattoo Pilar Lozano and Colombian Amb. Juan Carlos Pinzon

Flamenco Dancers Timo Nunez and Fanny Ara

WASHINGTON NATIONAL OPERA OPENING NIGHT The Kennedy Center | PHOTOS BY TONY POWELL

“Carmen” conductor Evan Rogister with French Amb. Gerard Araud 32

Kennedy Center President Deborah Rutter, and Robert Van Leer,

LA VIE EN ROSE: What better way to launch the WNO’s 60th season than a sexy production of “Carmen”? Bizet’s 1875 masterpiece, sung in French but set in steamy Seville, is arguably the world’s most famous opera and the gala opening night drew a VIP crowd for the performance and the black-tie celebration-cum-cast party that followed in the Kennedy’s Center Atrium. Notoriously difficult to decorate, the vast space was breathtakingly transformed for the occasion by a display of major costumes and props from the company’s collection. Ambassadors, philanthropists and other boldfaced names sipped cocktails in the shadow of Otello’s cloak (once worn by Placido Domingo) and a massive golden sarcophagus from “Le Cid” before sitting to supper at 11 P.M. Event chairwoman Constance Millstein de la Haye-Saint-Hillaire stole the show with a strapless red gown and wash-off shoulder tattoo of the production logo, a dagger piercing a rose. VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS AT WWW WASHINGTONLIFE COM WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

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Donna Rice Hughes , Jack Hughes and Rep. Barbara Comstock

John and Lynn Dillion with Carroll and Patty Owns, Terry Thompson and Chip Kerby

Italian Amb. Claudio Bisogniero and Laura Denise Bisogniero

WOLF TRAP BALL Filene Center at Wolf Trap | PHOTOS BY JAY SNAP

Mark and Maris Angolia with Hillary and Tom Baltimore

Amanda Donaldson, Finn Donaldson, Tad Anderson and Kristen Panerali

WHEN IN ROME A giant replica of Rome’s Colosseum stood center stage at the Wolf Trap Foundation’s annual black-tie ball, an event that is well known for its elaborately-themed decorations and dancing on one of the largest stages in the country. Italian Amb. Claudio Bisogniero and his wife Laura Denise were the honorary chairmen with Hillary Baltimore and Charles Prow serving as co-chairmen. Proceeds from the event help to preserve Wolf Trap and help sustain the many arts and education programs offered there for families, including children’s theatre-in-the-woods and an opera company that hosts residencies for talented young singers from across the U.S. VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS AT WWW WASHINGTONLIFE COM

Rynthia Rost and Sania McCormick

Katie Hart and Nancy Clark

Arvind Minocha with Kim and Fred Humphries WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

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3-D model of the Colosseum in Rome

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s eve n t y- e i g h t h r u n n i n g o f Photo credit: Douglas Lees

October 24, 2015 www.vagold.com br i n g yo u r c a s h !

gates open at 10am. races run rain or shine

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first of eight races at 12 noon questions, please call 540.347.2612

POLLYWOOD The Nexus of Politics� Hollywood� Media and Diplomacy | Hollywood on the Potomac, RARIA dinner, Pope Francis’ visit and more!

Sharon Stone poses with Shahin Mafi, hostess of “An Evening with Sharon Stone� benefit (Photo by Tony Powell)

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POLLYWOOD

HOLLYWOOD ON THE POTOMAC

‘HE NAMED ME MALALA’ Davis Guggenheim’s stirring documentary on Nobel Prize winner Malala Yousafzai debuts in Washington. B Y J A N E T D O N O VA N

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e got involved with Malala through Malala herself,” Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates Yousef Al Otaiba told us at the Washington premiere of “He Named Me Malala,” hosted by National Geographic Channel, Fox Searchlight Pictures, Participant Media, Image Nation Abu Dhabi and The Malala Fund. Malala Yousafzai is the young girl — 14 years old at the time — who was shot in the head for speaking out against the Taliban’s repression of women and school girls in Pakistan, blowing up more than 500 schools to demonstrate its opposition to non-religious curriculums and girls studying anything but the Koran. In October 2014, she received the Nobel Peace Prize at age 17, the youngest person ever to do so. “Every now and then you come upon a story that can actually go out and do some good in the world,” said producer Walter Parkes. “It’s compelling, emotional and urgent.” Parkes and his partner Laurie MacDonald acquired the rights to Malala’s story and her book “I Am Malala” but after meeting her in person, they decided no one else could play the title role, which is why her story had to be a documentary. “This is really a father-daughter story that speaks to everyone,” said the film’s Oscar-winning director Davis Guggenheim. The timeline goes like this: Malala Yousafzai was born in Mingora, in Pakistan’s Swat Valley. Named after a folk heroine, her father listed her on the family register, a virtual first in a male dominated society. When the Taliban took over the Swat Valley and destroyed the girls’ schools, Malala stood up for her rights. “All I want is an education and I am afraid of no one” became her motto. After she started blogging for the BBC she was targeted by the Taliban. Her nearly fatal attack brought world-wide attention. How the father and daughter interacted throughout this timeline is revealed in the film.

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Fox Searchlight’s Tony Stafford, Malala Fund’s Meighan Stone, director Davis Guggenheim, director Walter Parkes, National Geographic Channel’s CEO Courteney Monroe, Abeer Al Otaiba, and Amb. Yousef Al Otaiba at the screening of “He Named Me Malala” at National Geopgraphic headquarters. (Photo: National Geographic Channels/Dana Rene)

“The incident occurred in Afghanistan two and a half years ago,” Al-Otaiba recalled. “We sent an aircraft to get her out of there. The original plan was to get her to the U.A.E., but we ended up sending her to the U.K. instead. We built a connection with Malala herself and through that we then became involved in her fund and promoting what [she] stands for ... The values she is promoting are exactly the values of the U.A.E., so it was a natural fit for us to promote things like women’s education and the role of young women through Malala herself.” The Ambassaador pointed to what is happening in his country with regard to women’s rights. “We have four ministers in our federal cabinet who are women. Approximately 80 percent of our college student population are women, almost 20 percent of our parliament federal national council are women,” Otaiba noted. “So again, the reason Malala’s issues and values are important to us is because it tracks with where the U.A.E. sees and treats women’s issues.

We take a very pro-active way of promoting our women, whether it’s through education, employment, we ... do it across the board.” “Malala started speaking out when she was only 11 and that was the start of her journey as an activist. So, her voice is something she has been using powerfully since she was really young,” said Meighan Stone, president of The Malala Fund. “She says herself that she had two choices when the Taliban came into her community. The first was to not speak up, stay quiet and be killed; the second choice was to speak up and then be killed and she made the second choice. She and her father both recognized as activists and advocates that it was the time for them to make their voices heard.” The film debuts in select theaters on Friday, Oct. 2.

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Sharon Stone, Shahin Mafi and Sister Jenna

Tara Compton, Trinidad and Tobago Amb. Neil Parsen and Monaco Amb. Maguy Maccario Doyle

Czech Republic Amb. Petr Gandalovic, Jan DuPlain, Pavlina Gandalovic and Greek Amb. Christos Panagopoulos John Mafi and Maria Han

WL EXCLUSIVE

AN EVENING WITH SHARON STONE Mafi Residence | PHOTOS BY TONY POWELL SURPRISE SCREENING: A hundred guests gathered in the backyard of Shahin Mafi to support the Azar Foundation for Children of the World at a seated dinner celebrating the release of actress Sharon Stone’s latest film, “The Principle,” a modern parable about online bullying. Stone was the hit of the evening, making a surprise announcement that she was lobbying to be named America’s “Ambassador for Peace” because she believes bullying has had a devestating impact on our society, not just on youth but the elderly as well. Guests watched a 20-minute screening of writer John Viscount’s international awardwinning film “Admissions” starring James Cromwell, which caught Stone’s attention and made her want to work with him on an anti-bullying film.

James and Debra Schiff

Gavin Behrman

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William Thelen, Shiva Gholamian and Nader Lotfi Portia Davidson, Joan Wages and Susan Blumenthal

Changu Newman and Botswana Amb. David Newman

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Myron Belind and Anthony Brown

John Viscount and Hassan Masali

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POLLYWOOD Jean-Marie and Raul Fernandez

Debbi Jarvis and Sheila Johnson Pope Francis WL EXCLUSIVE

POPE FRANCIS VISITS CATHOLIC CHARITIES St. Patrick’s Catholic Church | PHOTOS BY TONY POWELL

Mary Hopkins with Karen and Chris Donatelli

SYMBOLIC VISIT: After stops at The White House and Capitol Hill to call on leaders to fight income inequality and climate destruction, Pope Francis climbed into his small Fiat and was driven to St. Patrick’s Church, the oldest Catholic parish in the city. Greeted by a choir, the Pope stopped in to bless lunch with about 300 homeless, immigrant and other low-income clients of Catholic Charities. Pope Francis also greeted top givers of Catholic Charities, but spent most of his time with those he said must be given hope, including people like William Smith, an addict who told The Pope he once lived in cardboard boxes, and Latisha Bussie, a recovering alcoholic now getting her college degree. “The fight against poverty and hunger must be fought constantly and on many fronts,” the Pope said. Catholic Charities’ 12 employees prepare 1,900 meals each week for senior citizens under a contract with the District of Columbia Office on Aging, and also cook meals for poor and homeless people around the city under the St. Maria’s Meals program, including 400 people who show up Wednesday evenings outside of Catholic Charities’ headquarters near Chinatown

Katie and Matt Stanton with Austin Herndon, Susan Lacz and Mary Donatelli

Laura and Billy Kappaz with Chaffi Kapaz and Ralph Fairbanks

Michael and Andrea Steele

Catholic Charities’ President Msgr. John Enzler with kids of donors and those receiving services. 38

A client of Catholic Charities

EJ Dionne

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Pope Francis hugs a child

| O C T O B E R | washingtonlife.com

POLLYWOOD

Jeffrey Immelt, Chairman/CEO, General Electric (Photo by Bryan Blanken/Freed Photography)

His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud (Photo by Bryan Blanken/Freed Photography)

Marillyn Hewson, Chairman/CEO, Lockheed Martin (Photo by Bryan Blanken/Freed Photography)

WL EXCLUSIVE

DINNERS HONORING THE KING OF SAUDI ARABIA The Ritz Carlton, Washington and Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium | PHOTOS BY JAY SNAP FIT FOR A KING: The U.S.-Saudi Arabian Business Council and Saudi Aramco hosted dinners in honor of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, during his first visit to Washington. At the Business Council’s event, King Salman was flanked onstage by 60 leaders of American and Saudi-based businesses plus Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, who was seated to His Majesty’s right. G.E. Chairman Jeffrey Immelt, Lockheed Martin CEO Marillyn Hewson and Marriott Hotels Chairman Arne Sorenson paid homage as well. The second dinner, hosted by Saudi Aramco, featured a forum moderated by Middle East Institute President Wendy Chamberlain with former Saudi Aramco Chairman Frank Jungers, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir, Oil Minister Ali bin Ibrahim Al-Naimi and Saudi Aramco Chairman Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih.

Khalid A. Al-Falih, Saudi Health Minister, and Chairman of Saudi Aramco

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Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir, Saudi Foreign Minister, and Sherry Cooper

Wendy Chamberlain, President of the Middle East Institute, and Khalid A. Al-Falih

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Ibrahim bin Abdulaziz bin Abdullah AlAssaf, Saudi Finance Minister

Ali Al-Baluchi, Tania Molsberry and Gordon Golding

Hall Delano Roosevelt

Abdallah S. Jum’ah, Chairman of the Saudi Arabian Investment Bank and Frank Jungers, former Chairman/CEO, Saudi Aramco

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A D V E R T I S E M E N T

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Lynn and Wolf Blitzer Lonnie Bunch, Maria Marable-Bunch, Janet Langhart Cohen and Secretary William S. Cohen WL EXCLUSIVE

RARIA DINNER HONORING LONNIE BUNCH Hay-Adams Hotel | PHOTOS BY ASHLEE WILCOX

William Knowles and Roz White

PROTECTING HISTORY: Race and Reconciliation in America (RARIA), founded by William S. Cohen and Janet Langhart Cohen, hosted an intimate dinner at the Hay-Adams honoring Lonnie Bunch, Director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and his efforts to secure financing and support for the Museum on the National Mall; this is the first award of its kind presented by RARIA. In the presence of 65 dignitaries from the Smithsonian, media, philanthropy and corporate worlds, the Cohens applauded the efforts Bunch has made to ensure that the experience people will have at the Museum is one that helps them understand that the history and culture of African Americans in this country is one that impacts everyone. The Cohen’s also spoke of the work RARIA has done to advance the principals of equality and social justice through education and community engagement and how through Janet’s play, “Anne & Emmett” and the development of an interactive, educational game “Anne & Emmett: The Other” RARIA offers historical perspective on issues of intolerance and inequality that can help people better understand the issues facing the country today.

Chuck Conconi with Stephanie and Paul Taylor, Fred Hiatt and Pooh Shapiro

Denyce Graves and Barbara Harrison

Leon and Dawn Harris

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RARIA award presented to Lonnie Bunch

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Del and Robin Walters

Richard Kurin

Nick Schmit and Jonathan Capehart

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SPECIAL FEATURE

THE NEAR EAST FOUNDATION

A CENTURY OF HUMANITARIANISM The Near East Foundation celebrates 100 years of influencing American giving abroad with innovative fundraising that launched the concept of citizen philanthropy. BY ERICA MOODY

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s we are all overwhelmed by the philanthropic history that an recent tragic images of families organization appealed directly to the escaping violence in the Middle public to support humanitarian work East and wondering what we can overseas, giving birth to what is called do to help, we are reminded of the “citizen philanthropy.” Fundraising and first major outpouring of American publicity tools that are now ubiquitous humanitarian support abroad following were first formed by NEF. Posters with the fall of the Ottoman Empire, and the captivating images called for donations; mobilizing power of America’s first nonone from a 1917 campaign juxtaposed governmental relief organization. Before illustrations of suffering women and the Peace Corps and USAID there was children with appeals for $30 million to the Near East Foundation. aid “The Child at Your Door: 400,000 Now in its centennial year, the NEF Orphans Starving.” Patriotic images in holds the honor of being the second other posters suggested it’s America’s Congressionally-chartered nonprofit duty to protect children. The recent (the first was the American Red Cross), heartbreaking photograph of the Syrian receiving this distinction in 1919. In boy on the beach brings to mind the 1915, Ambassador Henry Morgenthau powerful images utilized by NEF to sent a cable to the U.S. Department of mobilize Americans to action nearly a State declaring that the “destruction of century ago. the Armenian race is progressing rapidly” In keeping with this founding spirit, and urging something be done. The the theme of NEF’s centennial gala is refugees he was pleading for included “Celebrating 100 Years of American more than 132,000 orphans whose Humanitarianism Abroad.” On Oct. 28 parents were killed during the genocide at Cipriani Wall Street in New York, and deportations that claimed the lives of NEF’s board of directors and committee nearly three million Armenians, Greeks co-chairmen will join representatives of and Assyrians from 1915 to 1923 in what NEF’s “founding families” (those who is now Turkey and Syria. worked with the organization in the early The NEF’s ad campaign materials forever changed the landscape of Two weeks after Morgenthau’s call years and were key in shaping its work, philanthropic fundraising. (Poster by Douglas Volt, 1918) to action, a group of civic, business and including the Dodge, Morgenthau, Kerr, religious leaders, led by Cleveland Dodge and offer assistance, among them the Dodge, Heinz, Wilson and Hoover families); foreign diplomats; James Barton, formed a committee to lead the Pillsbury, Morgenthau, Roosevelt, Rockefeller NEF partners and supporters to reflect on the response to the tragedy. By the end of their first and du Pont families. strides made over the years and toast the next meeting, attendees had pledged $100,000 to “It was unique and unprecedented because hundred years of life-saving initiatives. Proceeds send to the region. Between 1915 and 1930, people from every sector of society — business, from the gala will go towards NEF’s work they would raise more than $116 million (over clergy, academia, government, philanthropy — with Syrian and Iraqi refugees and their host $2 billion in today’s dollars) for emergency relief collaborated to lead the effort together,” NEF’s communities, honoring NEF’s legacy through and services, providing aid to refugees both President Charles Benjamin says. “Under the action to address the crises of our day. during and after the collapse of the Ottoman leadership of James Barton and Cleveland Dodge, “With humanitarian aid decreasing and Empire. The extraordinarily successful rescue whose great-grandson represents the family on the crisis worsening,” Benjamin says, “there is a mission included the creation of orphanages NEF’s board today, the relief effort saved more greater need than ever for long-term solutions to care for thousands of children. Prominent than a million lives.” to reinforce self-sufficiency, protection and American families stepped up to the plate to It was also the first time in American economic resilience.”

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| O C T O B E R | washingtonlife.com

Emotionally-charged images depicted relief as a patriotic act. Never before had a foundation sent the Tomessage learn more NEF’s andinongoing that allabout Americans couldhistory help people need. (Poster by Dan Smith, 1935) development programs, or to purchase tickets to the

NEF used stories and images of children on campaign materials. Those who sponsored specific children were centennial gala, visitandwww.neareast.org. sent photographs even school report cards. (Poster by W.B. King, 1917)

NEF’s campaign techniques became a model for other philanthropic organizations. Campaigns materials used vibrant colors, memorable images and catchy slogans to generate attention (Poster by Dan Smith, 1935)

What You Can Do

RELIEF FOR REFUGEES

Winter is coming, and many organizations are working to provide and coordinate immediate assistance to migrants in need. Contact these groups to help alleviate the pain and suffering from this crisis.

The Near East Foundation NEF is working with Syrian and Iraqi refugee women, along with vulnerable members of their host communities, to help them achieve financial self-sufficiency through small business development, home-based income generating activities, urban agriculture, and financial literacy and savings. Working through local, community-based organizations, NEF reaches thousands of families in Lebanese and Jordanian cities that are home to large numbers of Syrian and Iraqi refugees. Give online at www.neareast.org/get-involved.

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) UNHCR is providing basic necessities for refugees like warm clothing, cash for medicine and fuel to heat tents. HOW YOUR DONATIONS WILL HELP $20 DBO QSPWJEF POF TMFFQJOH CBH s $150 can provide thermal blankets to keep three families warm. $200 can provide twenty families with synthetic mats to protect them from sleeping on the cold ground. $300 pays for an emergency rescue kit for 10 survivors, containing a towel, thermal blanket, bottled water, an energy bar, dry clothes and shoes. $550 can provide emergency cash assistance for three families for a month.

www.usaforunhcr.com

Doctors Without Borders

This photo of young Syrian boy Aylan Shenu drowned on a Turkish beach, after a boat carrying refugees to the Greek island of Kos, sank, sparked outrage around the world. It was a wake-up call to many, a tragedy that captured the severity of the worst migrant crisis since World War II. (Credit: AFP Photo/Nelufer Demir/Dogan News Agency)

The international NGO sets up hospitals in refugee camps, helps women give birth safely, provides access to safe drinking water and takes other medical measures to ensure the health of vulnerable people around the world. Eighty-eight cents of every dollar donated goes directly to these programs and services. Give today at www.doctorswithoutborders.org.

The International Rescue Committee The IRC is providing relief to millions of uprooted people inside Syria; in Iraq, Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan; in Afghanistan; on the shores of Greece; and in 25 resettlement offices in the U.S. In addition to lifesaving aid, donations support emergency services that help ensure refugees are protected once they arrive in Europe. Learn more at Engage.rescue.org/donate/emergencies.

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| O C T O B E R | washingtonlife.com

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SPECIAL FEATURE | %1&%77%(367 (-6)'836=

T

he beautiful embassies that line Massachusetts Avenue and its environs make that area of Washington a real-life (yet much more cerebral) Epcot Center. Inside their sometimes fortress-like buildings, ambassadors and representatives of nations around the globe are forging ties with Washington lawmakers and their international colleagues to help bring solutions to some of the biggest issues that face our world today.Yet, these diplomats are also adding to our city’s culture by inviting us to events at their embassies, and inversely, taking in our culture and contributing to the local economy by supporting museums, sponsoring exhibits and dining at our restaurants. They support our philanthropic causes on a large scale, hosting balls, donating time and

AFGHANISTAN AMBASSADOR: Dr.

Hamdullah Mohib Lael Mohib EMBASSY: 2341 Wyoming Ave. NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-483-6410 RESIDENCE: 3208 Cleveland Ave. NW, 20008 SPOUSE:

AFRICAN UNION MISSION CHARGÉ D’AFFAIRES : Tarek

Ben Youssef

EMBASSY: 1640

Wisconsin Ave. NW, 20007 TELEPHONE: 202-293-8006

ALBANIA AMBASSADOR: Floreta

Faber Edmond Faber EMBASSY: 2100 Street, NW DC 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-223-4942 SPOUSE:

ALGERIA AMBASSADOR: Madjid

Bouguerra Bouguerra EMBASSY: 2118 Kalorama Rd. NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-265-2800 SPOUSE: Nora

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RESIDENCE: “The Elms,� 4040 52nd St. NW, 20016

ANGOLA

helping to raise funds. Essentially, diplomats are Washingtonians, too, so it seems the only neighborly thing to do is to get to know them better. In the following pages, you’ll not only find a comprehensive listing of ambassadors and embassies, but also profiles of, interviews with and fun facts about envoys posted to Washington.You’ll learn which ambassador is most prolific on Twitter, who likes American football, who commutes to work on a bicycle and who is a big fan of Looney Tunes. We also ask some serious questions about world affairs and profile the Pope’s man in Washington, Papal Nuncio Carlo Maria Viganò. Read on and we guarantee, the next time you’re at an embassy event you’ll be more than ready to make some small talk. >> Hampshire Ave, NW 20009

SPOUSE:

TELEPHONE: 202-238-6400

EMBASSY: 2741

ARMENIA

AMBASSADOR: Agostinho

AMBASSADOR: Tigran

Tavares da Silva Neto SPOUSE: Prudencia De Sousa Carneiro Silva

SPOUSE:

Sargsyan Gohar Sargsyan EMBASSY: 2225 R St. NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-319-1976

EMBASSY AND RESIDENCE:

16th Street, NW 20009 TELEPHONE: 202-785-1156

AUSTRALIA AMBASSADOR: Kim

Christian Beazley Susanna Annus EMBASSY: 1601 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20036 TELEPHONE: 202-797-3000 RESIDENCE: 3120 Cleveland Ave. NW, 20008 SPOUSE:

ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA AMBASSADOR: Ronald

Sanders New Mexico Ave, NW 20016 TELEPHONE: 202-362-5122 EMBASSY: 3216

Lala Abdurahimova 34th St. NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-337-3500 RESIDENCE: 4039 Highwood St. NW, 20007

BAHAMAS AMBASSADOR: Eugene

Glenwood Newry Francoise Jeanne Ma Torchon Newry EMBASSY: 2220 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-319-2660 RESIDENCE: 5100 Warren Pl. NW, 20016 SPOUSE:

BAHRAIN THE ARAB LEAGUE AMBASSADOR: Hussein

Hassouna EMBASSY: 1100 17th Street, NW Suite 602, 20036 TELEPHONE: 202-265-3210

ARGENTINA Cecila Nahon Sergio Garcia Gomez EMBASSY AND RESIDENCE: 1660 New

AUSTRIA

AMBASSADOR: Shaikh

AMBASSADOR: Hans

Peter Manz EMBASSY: 3524 International Court NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-895-6700 RESIDENCE: 2419 Wyoming Ave. NW, 20008

AMBASSADOR: Maria SPOUSE:

Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Rashid al Khalifa SPOUSE: Latifa Mohamed Alkhalifa EMBASSY: 3502 International Dr. NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-342-1111 RESIDENCE: 4646 Hawthorne Ln. NW, 20016

AZERBAIJAN AMBASSADOR: Elin

Suleymanov

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DIRECTORY BANGLADESH AMBASSADOR: Mohammad

Ziauddin SPOUSE: Yasmeen Ziauddin EMBASSY: 3510 International Dr. NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-244-0183 RESIDENCE: 4 Highboro Court, Bethesda, MD 20817

THE POPE’S MAN IN WASHINGTON Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò BY ROLAND FLAMINI

BARBADOS AMBASSADOR: John

Ernest Beale Leila Mol Beale EMBASSY: 2144 Wyoming Ave. NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-939-9200 SPOUSE:

RESIDENCE:

BELARUS Pavel Shidlovsky Irina Shidlovsky, EMBASSY: 1619 New Hampshire Ave. NW, 20009 TELEPHONE: 202-986-1604 RESIDENCE: 12 Farmington Court, Chevy Chase, MD 20815 CHARGÉ D’AFFAIRES: SPOUSE:

BELGIUM AMBASSADOR: Johan

Verbeke Catherine Antoine Dubois EMBASSY: 3330 Garfield St. NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-333-6900 RESIDENCE: 2300 Foxhall Rd. NW, 20007 SPOUSE:

BELIZE AMBASSADOR: Patrick

Andrews Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-332-9636 RESIDENCE: 1686 Chain Bridge Rd., McLean, VA 22101 EMBASSY: 2535

BENIN AMBASSADOR: Omar

Arouna Yolanda Chanterra Richardson EMBASSY: 2124 Kalorama Rd. NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-232-6656 RESIDENCE: 2201 Sorrel Ave., Potomac, MD 20854 SPOUSE:

BOLIVIA Gen Freddy Bersatti Tudela SPOUSE: Rosayda Bersatti EMBASSY: 3014 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 2008 TELEPHONE: 202-483-4410 RESIDENCE: 3012 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 CHIEF OF MISSION:

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA CHARGÉ D’AFFAIRES: Adnan

Hadrovic E St. NW, 20037 TELEPHONE: 202-337-1500 EMBASSY: 2109

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In robes from L to R: Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, Cardinal Donald Wuerl and Pope Francis. Photo by Tony Powell.

T

he diplomat with the key role in organizing Pope Francis’ trip to the United States last month was a senior Vatican churchman who was said to have resisted being sent to Washington in the first place. He is Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, papal nuncio (ambassador) to the United States and at the same time the Vatican’s liaison with the American bishops. As such it was his task to coordinate the pope’s complicated itinerary with the White House, the U.S. Congress, and the American episcopate, and to host the pontiff’s Washington stay at the apostolic nunciature, his official residence on Massachusetts Avenue. A seasoned member of the diplomatic corps of what in international language is called the Holy See, Italian-born, 74-year-old Viganò had previously served in Britain, Iraq and Nigeria, but in 2009 was appointed secretary general of the Vatican Governorate, a department that administers Vatican City and handles much of its operational budget. Viganò introduced a series of structural reforms to eliminate waste and established accountability for cost overruns, which helped turn a $10.5 million deficit into a $44 million surplus in one year. But two years into Viganò’s tenure, Pope Benedict XVI unexpectedly appointed him (in Viganò’s view) as Holy See’s fifth nuncio in Washington since diplomatic relations were re-established, after a long break, in 1984. Letters leaked to the press revealed that he tried to reverse the appointment by writing directly to Pope Benedict XVI.“My transfer at this moment would provoke confusion and discouragement for those who thought it was possible to clean up so many situations of corruption and abuse of office,” he told the pope; and he sent a similar protest to the cardinal secretary of state. The correspondence was published in the Italian papers, but the pope

| O C T O B E R | washingtonlife.com

apparently took no action, and in 2012 Archbishop Viganò came to Washington. In an interview shortly after his arrival Viganò made what appeared to be an attempt to Archibishop Carlo Maria Viganò. Photo courtesy Aplostolic correct the initial Nunciature of the Holy See. impression that he was in Washington under protest. Being nuncio in the U.S, he said, was an “important, vast and delicate” assignment and “a call to know this people, this country, and come to love them.” His open opposition to the Obama administration on such controversial issues as birth control and same sex marriage is unusual for a foreign diplomat but reflects the sometimes conflicting dual nature of his post. He has spoken at Right to Life rallies in support of his other constituency, the American episcopate — including one recent appearance on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court. Speaking at a conference on religious freedom at Notre Dame University, he called Obamacare “a great threat to the vitality of Catholicism in the United States” because in the eyes of the church hierarchy the program imposes the availability of birth control on Catholic institutions. He has said same sex marriage undermines family values and is “morally unacceptable.” But many who know him say he has a cheerful personality, with a twinkle in his eye and a sense of humor. At the Notre Dame conference, following a rather lengthy introduction by the chairman, he began his speech with the words, “You know more about my life than what I remember myself.”

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special feature | Ambassadors Directory

Residence: 1508 22nd St. North, Arlington, VA 22209

Dr. Hamdullah Mohib, Afghanistan

Tigran Sargsyan, Armenia

Eugene Newry, Bahamas

Floreta Faber, Albania

Elin Suleymanov, Azerbaijan

John Beale, Barbados

BOTSWANA AMBASSADOR: David

John Newman Embassy: 1531-33 New Hampshire Ave. NW, 20036 Telephone: 202-244-4990 Residence: 10001 Bent Cross Dr., Potomac, MD 20854

Elena Petrova, Bulgaria

Omar Arouna, Benin

Jose Luis Fialho Rocha, Cabo Verde

Alberto Figueiredo Machado SPOUSE: Maria Angelica Ikeda Embassy: 3006 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-238-2700 Residence: 3000 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM Dk Norhashimah Dg Mohd Hassan Embassy: 3520 International Ct. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-237-1838 CHARGÉ D’AFFAIRES:

Chum Bun Rong, Cambodia Juan Gabriel, Chile

Borislavova Poptodorova Petrova SPOUSE: George Petrov Embassy: 1621 22nd St NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-387-0174 Residence: 3516 Rittenhouse St. NW, 20015

BURKINA FASO Mr.

Seydou Sinka SPOUSE: Benedicte Rosine Sinka Yehouenou Embassy: 2340 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-332-5577 Residence: 6338 16th St. NW, 20011

BURMA (MYANMAR) AMBASSADOR: Kyaw

Myo Htut SPOUSE: Khin Myint Kyi Embassy: 2300 S St. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-332-3344 Residence: 2223 R St. NW, 20008

Cui Tiankai, China

Daouba Diabate, Cote D’Ivoire 48

Juan Carlos Pinzon, Colombia

Nuno Brito, Portugal

Luis Fialho Rocha Dr. Yamile Luque Tamayo Saco Rocha Embassy: 3415 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20007 Telephone: 202-965-6820 Residence: 6509 Kenhill Rd., Bethesda, MD 20817 SPOUSE:

AMBASSADOR: Chum

Bun Rong Embassy: 4530 16th St. NW 20011 Telephone: 202-726-7742 Residence: 4500 16th St. NW, 20011

CAMEROON AMBASSADOR: Bienvenu

Joseph C. Foe-Atangana Veronique Foe Biloa Embassy: 3400 International Dr. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-265-8790 Residence: 2825 Normanstone Dr. NW, 20008 SPOUSE:

CANADA

AMBASSADOR: Elena

CHARGÉ D’AFFAIRES:

AMBASSADOR: José

CAMBODIA

BRAZIL AMBASSADOR: Luiz

BULGARIA Johan Verbeke, Belgium

CABO VERDE

BURUNDI AMBASSADOR: Ernest

Ndabashinze SPOUSE: Marie Gloriose Kankindi Embassy: 2233 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Suite 212, 20007 Telephone: 202-342-2574 Residence: 2233 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Suite 212, 20007

AMBASSADOR: Gary

Albert Doer Ginny Devine Embassy: 501 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 20001 Telephone: 202-682-1740 Residence: 2825 Rock Creek Dr. NW, 20008 SPOUSE:

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC AMBASSADOR: Stanislas

Moussa-Kembe Ontario Rd. NW, 20009 Telephone: 202-483-7800 Residence: 1840 Redwood Terrace NW, 20012 Embassy: 2704

Residence: 2305 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008

CHINA AMBASSADOR: Cui

Tiankai Ni Peijun Embassy: 3505 International Pl. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-495-2266 Residence: 2301 S St. NW, 20008 SPOUSE:

COLOMBIA AMBASSADOR: Juan

Carlos Pinzon Bueno SPOUSE: Pilar Lozano Embassy: 2118 Leroy Pl. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-387-8338 Residence: 1520 20th St. NW, 20036

CONGO, DEM. REPUBLIC OF AMBASSADOR: Francois

Nkuna Balumuene M St. NW, Suite 601, 20036 Telephone: 202-234-7690 Embassy: 1726

CONGO, REPUBLIC OF AMBASSADOR: Serge

Mombouli Stella Corine Mombouli Embassy: 1720 16th St. NW, 20009 Telephone: 202-726-0825 Residence: : 10809 Riverwood Dr., Potomac, MD 20854 SPOUSE:

COSTA RICA AMBASSADOR: Román

Macaya Hayes Thais Gonzalez Carballada Embassy: 2114 S St. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-499-2991 Residence: 2324 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 SPOUSE:

COTE D’IVOIRE AMBASSADOR: Daouda

CHAD AMBASSADOR: Hassane

Mahamat Nasser Fariss Anaime Embassy: 2401 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-652-1312 Residence: 16833 Harbor Town Dr., Silver Spring, MD 20905 SPOUSE: Ahmat

Diabaté Cecile Diabaté Embassy: 2424 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20007 Telephone: 202-797-0300 Residence: 5111 Broad Branch Rd. NW, 20008 SPOUSE:

CROATIA AMBASSADOR: Josip

Paro Jasna Paro Embassy: 2343 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-588-5899 Residence: 4871 Glenbrook Rd. NW, 20016 SPOUSE:

CHILE AMBASSADOR: Juan

Gabriel Valdés Soublette SPOUSE: Antonia Echenique Celis Embassy: 1732 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20036 Telephone: 202-785-1746

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| OCTOBER

2015

| washingtonlife.com

BAYAN SAMI ABDUL RAHMAN - Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Representative PHOTO BY TONY POWELL

D

o you feel limited in any way because you are the KRG representative rather than a fully credentialed ambassador to the U.S.? It is to the U.S.’s benefit as well as ours that the Kurdistan Regional Government has a representative and a mission in Washington, D.C. This makes our job easier. There are occasions when the situation is unhelpful, for example, when my government is excluded from anti-ISIL coalition meetings even though Kurdish forces are the tip of the spear against the terrorists and we are sheltering 1.8 million refugees and displaced people. What are your most important diplomatic goals at this time? Our immediate goals are to continue to strengthen the partnership with the United States in the fields of security and humanitarian assistance. Kurdistan has seen a 30 percent increase in its population due to the arrival of refugees and displaced people and both the displaced and host communities need help. Why does Kurdistan wish to achieve independence? Every nation wants to be a

master of its own destiny and the people of Kurdistan are no different. We wish to navigate our own course rather than have our fate tied to the whims of dictators, like Saddam, or Iraqi rulers that control all powers in the center. Kurdistan has proven itself as a stabilizing force in a sea of Middle East turbulence. Describe your career prior to taking up your current post. I worked as a journalist for about 17 years before joining the KRG as its representative to the UK. After 10 years in London, I was posted to Washington at the beginning of this year.. How has your own family’s experience influenced your mission? My father was in the Kurdish leadership and he and my mother devoted their lives to the Kurdish cause. They made many sacrifices. My father and elder brother were killed in a terrorist attack. Their lives and not their deaths, the words and deeds of my parents and brother, are what provide me with inspiration and the determination to persevere, no matter what the obstacle.

@KRG_USA

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CUBA

AMBASSADOR KIM BEAZELY Australia Tell us something people don’t know about you and would be surprised to hear. When I was five I had polio and the knock-on effects of that were pretty difficult to contain, but it has left me very sympathetic to the campaign to end polio globally and it seems to be on the verge of success. What would you like to accomplish in your time in Washington? The two top issues on my agenda are the completion of the TPP trade agreement and Australian participation in the continuing struggle in the Middle East to give decency a chance to prevail in the areas currently controlled by ISIL. What do you like to do in your free time? Visit Civil War battle fields. I recently visited Gettysburg for the ninth time. My hobby is collecting bronze medallions and icons.

EGYPT

AMBASSADOR: Jose

Ramon Cabanas Rodriguez SPOUSE: Edilia González EMBASSY: 2630 16th St. NW, 20009 TELEPHONE: 202-797-8518

CYPRUS AMBASSADOR: Georgios

Chacalli R St. NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-462-5772 RESIDENCE: 2346 S St. NW, 20008 EMBASSY: 2211

CZECH REPUBLIC AMBASSADOR: Petr

Gandalovic Pavlina Gandalovicova EMBASSY: 3900 Spring of Freedom St. NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-274-9100 RESIDENCE: 2612 Tilden St. NW, 20008 SPOUSE:

DENMARK AMBASSADOR: Lars

Gert Lose

EMBASSY AND RESIDENCE: 3200

Whitehaven St. NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-234-4300

DJIBOUTI CHARGÉ D’AFFAIRS AD INTERIM: EMBASSY AND RESIDENCE: 1156

15th St., NW, Suite 515, 20005

Tell us something people don’t know about you and would be surprised to hear. I am interested in history and have co-edited a unique book of historical documents. The book is a selected collection of the original copies of treaties and agreements, including the so-called Unequal Treaties signed by China’s late Ch’ing government with foreign countries. When I was the deputy foreign minister four years ago, I had the rare honor to sort and compile them into an album in celebration of the centennial of the Republic of China. What do you like to do in your free time? Read diplomats’ memoirs. Which person, dead or alive, would you like to most have dinner with and why? Julie Andrews or Audrey Hepburn, for their movies “Sound of Music” and “My Fair Lady.”

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Reda Abdalla Ali Said EMBASSY: 3521 International Ct NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-895-5400 RESIDENCE: 2301 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008

EL SALVADOR AMBASSADOR: Francisco

Roberto Altschul Fuentes Melinda Delashmutt Altschul EMBASSY: 1400 16th St, Suite 100, NW, 20036 TELEPHONE: 202-595-7500 RESIDENCE: 5171 Macomb St. NW, 20016 SPOUSE:

EQUATORIAL GUINEA Miguel Ntutumu Evuna Andeme SPOUSE: Purificacion Eki Mba Anguesomo EMBASSY: 2020 16th St NW, 20009 TELEPHONE: 202-518-5700 RESIDENCE: 4044 27th St., Arlington, VA 22207 AMBASSADOR:

ERITREA Berhane G. Solomon, First Secretary SPOUSE: Hiwet Sebhatu Tesfazzghi EMBASSY: 1708 New Hampshire Ave NW, 20009 TELEPHONE: 202-319-1991 RESIDENCE: 7127 16th St. NW, 20012 CHARGÉ D’AFFAIRES:

Issa Daher Bouraleh

REPRESENTATIVE LYUSHUN SHEN Republic of China (Taiwan)

AMBASSADOR: Yasser

TELEPHONE: 202-331-0270 RESIDENCE: 1010 Sorrel Ave., Potomac, MD 20854

DOMINICA AMBASSADOR: Hubert

John Charles SPOUSE: Sylvia Charles EMBASSY: 3216 New Mexico Ave. NW, 20016 TELEPHONE: 202-364-6781 RESIDENCE: 17639 Charity Lane, Germantown, MD 20874

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC AMBASSADOR: Jose

Tomas Perez Vazquez SPOUSE: Caridad De Jesus Santos De Perez EMBASSY: 1715 22nd St NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-332-6280 RESIDENCE: 2930 Edgevale Terrace NW, 20008

ESTONIA AMBASSADOR: Eerik

Marmei Birgit Volmer EMBASSY: 2131 Massachusetts Ave NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-588-0101 RESIDENCE: 3633 Albemarle St. NW, 20008 SPOUSE:

ETHIOPIA AMBASSADOR: Girma

Birru Geda Lydia Getaneh Belay EMBASSY: 3506 International Dr NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-363-1200 RESIDENCE: 2209 Wyoming Ave., NW 20008 SPOUSE:

EUROPEAN UNION

ECUADOR AMBASSADOR: Francisco

Jose Borja Cevallos 15th St NW, 20009 TELEPHONE: 202-234-7200 RESIDENCE: 2320 Bancroft St. NW, 20008 EMBASSY: 2535

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David Sullivan Agnes Elizabeth O Hare EMBASSY: 2175 K St. NW, 20037 TELEPHONE: 202-862-9500 RESIDENCE : 2534 Belmont Rd. NW, 20008 Head of delegation: SPOUSE: :

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FIJI Mr. Akuila Kamanalagi Vuira, First Secretary EMBASSY: 2000 M St NW #700, 20036 TELEPHONE: 202-466-8320 RESIDENCE: 1435 Carrington Ridge Lane, Vienna, VA 22182 CHARGÉ D’AFFAIRES:

FRONTLINE DIPLOMACY Ambassador of Greece Christos Panagopoulos

FINLAND

BY ROLAND FLAMINI

AMBASSADOR: Kirsti

Helena Kauppi EMBASSY: 3301 Massachusetts Abe, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-298-5800 RESIDENCE: 3001 Woodland Dr. NW, 20008

FRANCE AMBASSADOR: Gerard

Roger Araud Reservoir Rd NW, 20007 TELEPHONE: 202-944-6000 RESIDENCE: 2221 Kalorama Rd. NW, 20008 EMBASSY: 4101

GABON AMBASSADOR: Michael

Moussa-Adamo Brigitte Moussa-Adamo EMBASSY: 2034 20th St NW, 20009 TELEPHONE: 202-797-1000 RESIDENCE: 1630 Connecticut Ave. NW, 20009 SPOUSE:

GAMBIA AMBASSADOR: Sheikh

Omar Faye Marie Faye Nee Jobe EMBASSY: 2233 Wisconsin Ave NW, 20007 TELEPHONE: 202-785-1379 RESIDENCE: 1941 Westchester Dr., Silver Spring, MD 20902 SPOUSE:

GEORGIA AMBASSADOR: Archil

Gegeshidze Dea Gadua EMBASSY: 1824 R St NW, 20009 TELEPHONE: 202-387-2390 RESIDENCE: 2807 Chesterfield Place NW, 20008 SPOUSE:

GERMANY AMBASSADOR: Hans

Peter Wittig Huberta von Voss-Wittig EMBASSY: 4645 Reservoir Rd NW, 20007 TELEPHONE: 202-298-4000 RESIDENCE: 1800 Foxhall Rd. NW, 20007 SPOUSE:

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o have 250,000 refugees arrive in our country right in the middle of the worst economic crisis we ever had – you hardly know what to do,” Greek Ambassador Christos Panagopoulos observes. “But the European Union is slow to react to crisis situations, and this takes collective action. We have a national action plan, we are willing to take our quotas: others are not.” After more than two years of dealing with the fallout of his country’s epic debt crisis, in September Panagopoulos, 61, faced a new challenge, but at least this one doesn’t have him on the defensive. “We didn’t create this crisis, and most of the refugees don’t want to remain in Greece,” he says. “The will is there. There are many stories of people going out of their way to help. Faced with this despicable human trafficking you can’t think twice about what you have to do.” Meanwhile, the bigger national problem of Greece’s failing economy has entered a new and perhaps promising phase. The European Union and other lenders have committed $90 billion over three years to meet the country’s immediate debt requirements and at the same time boost the economy: $30 billion will be used to create growth. This, Panagopoulos says, is a significant shift from the European lenders’ insistence – especially the Germans – on an austerity policy as the path to Greece’s survival. “Austerity is an ancient Greek word, and its initial meaning was a very positive one, not to strangle people” he says. “To close hospitals and schools I don’t think is austerity. Some reforms have already taken place. The public sector in Greece has shrunk by a considerable amount.”

To put the Greek perspective of his nation’s fiscal woes the ambassador has spent a good part of his time criss-crossing the country. When interviewed in September he was planning to visit the south, and talking of making his first trip to Alaska to meet the Greek community in that state. The U.S. is a country he already knew well both from both college and two earlier diplomatic appointments. He has a degree from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University; and he had served as consul and then consul-general in Boston from 1983-1989, and later as consul-general in Los Angeles from 1994-1999. Left unsaid most of the time in his meetings is the fact that his official, three-floor residence on Embassy Row is a casualty of the financial crisis. The government can’t afford much needed repair and renovation, and Panagopoulos is living in a rented house elsewhere. He finds that “our American friends understand us better than our European partners in some cases. If you spend some time [explaining] they fully understand what [our] position is.” He credits the Obama administration with trying to make the Greek case in Europe. He just returned from a visit to Greece where he indulged his passion for water polo (he used to be a member of the Greek national water polo team), and reports that record numbers of tourists visited his country this summer, boosting the prospects of economic recovery. One of the toughest challenges has been battling over Greece’s image with the American press. “The American media sees part of their role is to criticize everything,” he says. “But the whole picture has improved a lot.”

GHANA AMBASSADOR: Joseph

Henry Smith Douha Yehia Smith EMBASSY: 3512 International SPOUSE:

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Dr NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-686-4520

NW, Suite 4M, 20008

ITALY

TELEPHONE: 202-966-7702

AMBASSADOR: Claudio

Bisogniero Laura Denise Noce Benigni Olivieri Bisogniero EMBASSY: 3000 Whitehaven St. NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-612-4400 RESIDENCE: ”Villa Fiirenze” 2800 Albemarle St. NW, 20008

RESIDENCE: 5312

Lars Gert Lose, Denmakr

Francisco Roberto Altschul Fuentes, El Salvador

GREECE Panagopoulos Massachusetts Ave NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-939-1300 RESIDENCE: 4740 Foxhall Crescent NW, 20007

Gerard Araud, France

SPOUSE:

AMBASSADOR: Christos EMBASSY: 2217

Eerik Marmei, Estonia

Portsmouth Rd., Bethesda, MD 20816

GRENADA AMBASSADOR: Ethelstan

HUNGARY AMBASSADOR: Reka

Szemerkenyi Szabolcs Ferencz EMBASSY: 3910 Shoemaker St NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-362-6730 RESIDENCE: 2215 30th St. NW, 20008 SPOUSE: Istvan

JAMAICA AMBASSADOR: Ralph

Samuel Thomas New Hampshire Ave. NW, 20036 TELEPHONE: 202-452-0660 RESIDENCE: 3101 Rolling Rd., Chevy Chase MD, 20815 EMBASSY: 1520

Angus Friday EMBASSY: 1701

New Hampshire Ave NW, 20009 TELEPHONE: 202-265-2561

GUATEMALA AMBASSADOR: Jose

Peter Wittig, Germany

Budi Bowoleksono, Indonesia

Arun Kumar Singh, India

Lukman Al Faily, Iraq

Julio Alejandro Ligorria Carballido SPOUSE: M. Quezada Niederheitmann EMBASSY: 2220 R St NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-745-4953 RESIDENCE: 2839 Woodland Dr. NW, 20008

GUINEA AMBASSADOR: Mamady

Condé SPOUSE: Odya K. Condé EMBASSY: 2112 Leroy Pl NW TELEPHONE: 202-986-4300 RESIDENCE: 2948 Edgevale Terrace NW, 20008

GUYANA Anne Anderson, Ireland

Andris Razans, Latvia

AMBASSADOR: Bayney

R. Karran Donna Karran EMBASSY: 2490 Tracy Pl NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-265-6900 RESIDENCE: 6911 Bradley Blvd., Bethesda MD 20817 SPOUSE:

Antoine Chedid, Lebanon

Asterio R. Takesy, Micronesia

HAITI AMBASSADOR: Paul

Getty Altidor Meghan Altidor EMBASSY: 2311 Massachusetts Ave NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-332-4090 SPOUSE:

ICELAND AMBASSADOR: Geir

Hilmar Haarde Jona Thordardottir EMBASSY: 2900 K St. NW Suite 509, 20007 TELEPHONE: 202-265-6653 RESIDENCE: 2443 Kalorama Rd. NW, 20008 SPOUSE: Inga

Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò

NUNCIO:

Kaare Reidar Aas, Norway

Jalil Abbas Jalani, Pakistan

EMBASSY AND RESIDENCE: 3339

Massachusetts Ave NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-333-7121

INDIA Kumar Singh Chawla Singh EMBASSY: 2107 Massachusetts Ave NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-939-7000 RESIDENCE: 2700 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 SPOUSE: Maina

AMBASSADOR: Jorge

Alberto Milla Reyes Tilden St

EMBASSY: 3007

Hersey Kyota, Palau

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JORDAN AMBASSADOR: Dr.

Alia Hatough Bouran SPOUSE: Ishaq Bouran EMBASSY: 3504 International Dr. NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-966-2664 RESIDENCE: 2456 Tracy Pl. NW, 20008

INDONESIA AMBASSADOR: Budi

Bowoleksono Reshanty Bowoleksono EMBASSY: 2020 Massachusetts Ave NW, 20036 TELEPHONE: 202-775-5200 RESIDENCE: 2700 Tilden Lane NW, 20008 SPOUSE:

KAZAKHSTAN AMBASSADOR: Kairat

Umarov Galiya Umarova EMBASSY: 1401 16th St. NW, 20036 TELEPHONE: 202-232-5488 RESIDENCE: 2910 Edgevale Terrace NW, 20008 SPOUSE:

IRAQ AMBASSADOR: Lukman

Abdulraheem Abdulkareem Al Faily SPOUSE: Ms. Lameis Faily EMBASSY: 3421 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20007 TELEPHONE: 202-742-1600

IRELAND Anderson Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-462-3939 RESIDENCE: 2244 S St. NW, 20008 EMBASSY: 2234

KENYA AMBASSADOR: Robinson

Njeru Githae Alice Wanjiku Njeru EMBASSY: 2249 R St. NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-387-6101 RESIDENCE: 10201 Serrel Ave., Potomac, MD 20854 SPOUSE:

KOREA AMBASSADOR: Ho

ISRAEL AMBASSADOR: Ron

HONDURAS

Sasae Nobuko Sasae EMBASSY: 2520 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-238-6700 RESIDENCE: 4000 Nebrask Ave NW, 20016 SPOUSE:

AMBASSADOR: Arun

AMBASSADOR: Anne

THE HOLY SEE

JAPAN AMBASSADOR: Kenichiro

Dermer Rhoda Michelle Dermer EMBASSY: 3514 International Dr. NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-364-5500 SPOUSE:

Igor Vera, Paraguay

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Young Ahn Seon-Hwa Lee Ahn EMBASSY: 2450 Massachussetts Ave. NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-939-5600 RESIDENCE: 4801 Glenbrough Ave., 20017 SPOUSE:

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RYSZARD SCHNEPF - Ambassador of Poland PHOTO BY TONY POWELL

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hat role would you like to see Poland play on the International stage in the coming decade? Poland’s role grows first of all within the European Union. It is not just a coincidence that a new president of the European Council is our former Prime Minister Tusk. It reflects the growing economic power and a growing influence within the EU and its politics, its defense system and a lot of life and that means of course that we can be a great supporting power within Europe for the transatlantic cooperation. With the current Russian-Ukrainian conflict, does Poland have any security concerns? I would say that everyone feels that simply because it’s right on our border. We joined other democratic countries claiming that every country has a right to decide its future. The Ukrainian people expressed a strong to join the EU and the NATO system. As we know, it ended up with the straight, direct aggression from the Russian Federation, so President Putin’s policy toward Ukraine creates a real threat, perhaps not to Poland in the first place, but to the smaller much more exposed countries, the Baltic countries. But of course, this is our neighborhood and also our responsibility as a EU member and NATO member to defend all allied countries and its citizens so we should of course, look for the peaceful solution. We are not in favor of the military conflict solution. We would like to see a real diplomatic outcome, which would be a cease-fire. What role do you feel Poland should be playing in the current Syrian refugee crisis? This morning three ministers of the Visegrad group, which is Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Poland, met in Prague together with Germany to discuss the possible solution. It’s not easy simply because we have no structures that would be prepared to adopt a bigger number of refugees from the South, but Poland will fuel solidarity with its people and other EU countries facing the wave of people coming

and looking for shelter. Polish people had waves of exodus and the last big one was just before the Martial Law in Poland was [imposed] in 1980. We received substantial help from many governments. We don’t forget that our people, even if they were not facing death and danger as many do in Syria, were oppressed; they felt like there was no future in communist Poland at that time. We will participate in the joint action to support the people coming from the South who are in great need. Why is it important to you that Poland be included in the Visa Waiver program? It’s mutually beneficial, simply for the human reasons of letting people get together more easily. We are not considered to be a country from which a real threat comes to the U.S. The old times when Polish people were coming to look for a job are over. Now the question is why Polish people can go to such distant places as Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic but cannot go to the U.S. They don’t need a visa to visit those countries. It blocks an important part of the business. You’ve been a big proponent of promoting Polish culture, including sports. Do you have a favorite Polish athlete? My favorite and my personal friend is Marcin Gortat, no doubt. Not only because he’s a great sportsman, but he’s also doing a wonderful job promoting the relationship between Poland and the U.S. He’s bringing kids here to show them what real basketball is like. Perhaps I should be jealous, but I’m not, that he is a better ambassador than I. What accomplishment are you most proud of in your post so far? I’m very proud that President Obama visited [Poland] a year ago. Also, when I was arriving to Washington things seemed to be cold and all of a sudden there’s interest in our Eastern border. I’m very proud that we played a small role in bringing American attention to what’s going on there.

@PolishEmbassyUS

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special feature | Ambassadors Directory

The Making of an Ambassador

T

B Y A M B A S S A D O R P E T E R A . S E L F R I D G E , c h ief of proto c ol of t h e U n ited S tates

he presentation of credentials ceremony at the White House is one of the most important days in the tenure of a chief diplomat posted to the United States. Not only does this age-old exercise allow the now fully accredited chiefs of mission to exercises their full authority, it is also marks the moment they attain the full title of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary – admittedly one of the most impressive titles in a city full of impressive titles. Arriving at the White House

The first step in the highly choreographed day is the arrival of the black, chauffeured sedan transporting the ambassador and close family members and proudly displaying the flags of the United States and the dignitary’s home country. The vehicles are lined up in order of precedence, an arrangement literally derived from the diplomats’ arrival dates in Washington. This is not as easy as it sounds. Just recently we welcomed two ambassadors at the airport both of whom deplaned the same aircraft within minutes of one another. All envoys must also possess all the proper credentialing documentation, to include the Letter of Credence signed by their head of state or government, the Letter of Recall of their predecessor (if applicable) and their written remarks to the president of the United States. The final precedence order is followed precisely throughout the day, and there are never any exceptions made based on the size or perceived prominence of a country. The official ceremony fittingly begins with a slow procession through an honor cordon made up of the five branches of military service. As the vehicle approaches the diplomatic entrance to the President’s residence, trumpets play fanfares and the car comes to a halt between

54

Amb. Kadyr Toktogulov of Kyrgyzstan

U.S. soldiers in dress uniform, hoisting the flags of the United States and the country of the distinguished visitor. There, among these amazing displays of honor and national pride, I greet the ambassadors and their families and welcome them into the White House. Waiting for the big moment

In the Cabinet Room, the guests of honor are invited to sign the President’s official guestbook. From there, they are escorted into the Roosevelt Room where all the credentialing ceremony participants meet and mingle as they await their credentialing with the President in the Oval Office. The nervous energy is palpable as the VIPs mingle with one another and get to know some of their fellow diplomats, along with senior members of the President’s staff. Inside the Oval Office

The big moment arrives. The President is ready to receive his important guests. My staff again places the dignitaries in their order of precedence. One by one, the ambassadors and their eager families are led into the Oval Office where I have the honor of introducing them individually to President Obama. After a warm welcome by the President, the ambassadors present their credentials and the

President responds by presenting the ambassador a welcome document in return. Officially, only the President may receive ambassadorial credentials as stated in Article II, Section 3 of the United States Constitution. After the exchange of documents, official photographs are taken in front of the famous Resolute Desk to memorialize the special moment. After exchanging brief remarks, the newly credentialed ambassadors and their families have the opportunity to engage in conversation with the President. Often it is the younger children who have the most confidence when meeting the commander-in-chief. Sometimes I am pre-empted in my introductions by these youngest of diplomats as they step ahead first to receive that famous warm handshake. When the presentation of credentials has concluded, the protocol officers lead the newly minted ambassadors back to their waiting vehicles and I head back to my office, thankful for another successful ceremony and for adding a new group of friends and colleagues to the ever-impressive Washington Diplomatic Corps. Tips for Ambassadors presenting Credentials • Ambassadors should wear either business attire or national dress. (Their families come dressed to the nines!) • Children should be prepared to respond to questions from the President once in the Oval Office … not that it takes a lot of coaching. • Reminders to bring credentialing paperwork are frequent. • Most of all, I tell them to relax and enjoy the special day.

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| OCTOBER

2015

| washingtonlife.com

AMBASSADOR GARY DOER Canada Tell us something people don’t know about you and would be surprised to hear. People think that all Canadians love hockey and hockey only, but I love NFL football and have followed it for years. I am a huge Minnesota Vikings fan. What is your favorite region in your home country? I love Churchill. I love kayaking with the beluga whales in July and seeing the magnificent polar bears in October. What was the best advice given to you as an incoming ambassador? Make sure you don’t get consumed with the great social invitations that you receive in this world-class city and keep focused on the economic and security priorities of your country.

KOSOVO

LATVIA

AMBASSADOR: Vlora

Citaku EMBASSY: 2175 K St. NW Suite 300, 20037 TELEPHONE: 202-450-2130

KUWAIT AMBASSADOR: Sheikh

Salem Abdullah Al Jaber Al-Sabah SPOUSE: Rima Al-Sabah EMBASSY AND RESIDENCE: 2940 Tilden St. NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-966-0702

KYRGYZSTAN AMBASSADOR: Kadyr

Toktogulov Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-449-9822 RESIDENCE: 4101 33rd Rd., Arlington, VA 22207

AMBASSADOR: Andris

Razans Gunta Razane EMBASSY: 2306 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-328-2840 RESIDENCE: 4525 Foxhall Crescent NW, 20007 SPOUSE:

LEBANON AMBASSADOR: Antoine

Chedid Nicole Chedid EMBASSY: 2560 28th St. NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-939-6300 RESIDENCE: 2841 McGill Terrace NW, 20008 SPOUSE:

EMBASSY: 2360

LAOS AMBASSADOR:

Mai Sayavongs

EMBASSY AND RESIDENCE:

2222 S St. NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-332-6416

LESOTHO AMBASSADOR: Eliachim

Molapi Sebatane Lois Anne Sebatane EMBASSY: 2511 Massachusetts Ave NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-797-5533 RESIDENCE: 7013 Loch Lomond Dr., Bethesda, MD 20817 SPOUSE:

AMBASSADOR MAGUY MACCARIO DOYLE Monaco Tell us something people don’t know about you and would be surprised to hear. I am a passionate oenophile and proud that I’m one of only two women admitted as “Chevalier de la Commanderie de Bordeaux” in their prestigious New York chapter. Also, I started my career at age 18 at Monaco’s Tourism Board, among other things greeting guests at the Monaco F1 Grand Prix. A week after passing my driving test and receiving my license, I was asked to drive the legendary racer Sir Jackie Stewart and his wife to the airport. I was so nervous, but he said I drove very well. What do you like to do in your free time? I love playing tennis and have recently taken up golf – I (luckily) scored a hole-in-one on my very first tee-off during coaching classes! Do you have a favorite restaurant in Washington? I love Nora’s Restaurant. Chef Nora Pouillon is a true pioneer in the organic food movement and a wonderful, inspiring lady.

AMBASSADOR RACHAD BOUHLAL Morocco What would you like to accomplish in your time in Washington? Morocco was the first country to recognize the independence of the United States. I would like my efforts in promoting our bilateral relations to help carry on the legendary promise that was drafted in our Treaty of Peace and Friendship negotiated by Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and King Muhammad III in 1786. What do you like to do in your free time? What are your hobbies? I love to play golf, and by the way, a little known fact is that Morocco has some of the greatest golf courses. What is your favorite book? “World Order” by Henry Kissinger.

LIBERIA AMBASSADOR: Jeremiah

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Luis Miguel Castilla Rubio, Peru

Jose L. Cuisia, Jr, Phillipines

Congbeh Sulunteh SPOUSE: Kabeh Sulunteh EMBASSY: 5201 16th St NW, 20011 TELEPHONE: 202-723-0437

LIBYA Wafa M. T. Bughaighis, Minister EMBASSY: 2600 Virginia Ave. NW, 20037 TELEPHONE: 202-944-9601 RESIDENCE: 2201 Wyoming Ave. NW, 20008 CHARGÉ D’AFFAIRES:

Mohammed Al Kuwari, Qatar

George Cristian Maior, Romania

MALDIVES

MOLDOVA

AMBASSADOR: Ahmed

Sareer SPOUSE: Fathimath Athifa EMBASSY: 800 Second Ave. Suite 400E, New York, NY, 10017 TELEPHONE: 212-599-6195

CHARGÉ D’AFFAIRES AD INTERIM:

Veaceslav Pituscan EMBASSY: 2101 S St. NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-667-1130

MONACO MALI

AMBASSADOR: Maguy

AMBASSADOR: Tiena

Coulibaly Dicko EMBASSY: 2130 R ST. NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-332-2249 RESIDENCE: 2131 R St. NW, 20008

Maccario Doyle Connecticut Ave. NW 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-234-1530 RESIDENCE: 2315 Wyoming Ave. NW, 20008

SPOUSE: Aminata

EMBASSY: 4000

LIECHTENSTEIN AMBASSADOR: Claudia

Sergey Ivanovich Kislyak, Russia

Mathilde Mukantabana, Rwanda

Fritsche

AMBASSADOR: Marisa

K St. NW, Suite 602B, 20007 TELEPHONE: 202-331-0590

Maria Louise Micallef EMBASSY: 2017 Connecticut Ave. NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-462-3611 RESIDENCE: 4501 29th St. NW, 20008

LITHUANIA AMBASSADOR: Rolandas

Krisciunas, 16th St. NW, 20009 TELEPHONE: 202-234-5860 RESIDENCE: 1112 Ingleside Ave., McLean, VA 22101 EMBASSY: 2622

LUXEMBOURG AMBASSADOR: Jean-Louis

Babacar Diagnen, Senegal

Djerdj, Matkovic, Serbia

Wolzfeld Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-265-4171 RESIDENCE: 3933 Fordham Rd. NW, 20016 EMBASSY: 2200

MACEDONIA AMBASSADOR: Vasko

Ashok Kumar . Singapore

Mninwa Johannes Mahlangu, South Africa

Naumovski SPOUSE: Emilija Naumovska EMBASSY: 2129 Wyoming Ave. NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-667-0501

MADAGASCAR

Ramón Gil-Casares Satrústeguin, Spain

Prasad Kariyawasam, Sri Lanka

MALTA

EMBASSY AND RESIDENCE: 2900

CHARGÉ D’AFFAIRES: Ms. Velotiana Rakotoanosy Raobelina, Counselor SPOUSE: Querry Raobelina EMBASSY AND RESIDENCE: 2374 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-265-5525

AMBASSADOR: Necton

Darlington Mhura Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-721-0270 EMBASSY: 2408

Björn Olof Lyrvall, Sweden

Martin Dahinden, Switzerland

MARSHALL ISLANDS

Adek Bin Hussin Datin Latifah Mohd Yusof EMBASSY: 3516 International Ct NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-572-9700 SPOUSE:

Farhod Salim, Tajikistan

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Wilson Mutagaywa Masilingi, Tanzania,

MONTENEGRO

Junior Aini, First Secretary SPOUSE: Rosina Riklon Aini EMBASSY: 2433 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-234-5414 RESIDENCE: 3212 Brooklawn Terrace, Chevy Chase, MD 20815

AMBASSADOR: Srdjan

Daermanovic Aneta Spaic EMBASSY: 1610 New Hampshire Ave. NW, 20009 TELEPHONE: 202-234-6108 SPOUSE:

MOROCCO AMBASSADOR: Mohammed

MAURITANIA Lemine El Haycen Naha Rgueiby EMBASSY: 2129 Leroy Pl NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-232-5700 RESIDENCE: 2339 S St. NW, 20008 SPOUSE:

Rachad Bouhlal Fatiha Bennani EMBASSY: 1601 21st St. NW, 20009 TELEPHONE: 202-462-7979 RESIDENCE: 9109 Clewerwall Dr., Bethesda, MD 20817 SPOUSE:

AMBASSADOR: Mohamed

MOZAMBIQUE Eduardo Candido Albino Zaqueu EMBASSY: 1525 New Hampshire Ave., 20036 TELEPHONE: 202-293-7146 CHARGÉ D’AFFAIRES:

MAURITIUS AMBASSADOR: Sooroojdev

Phokeer N St NW, 20036 TELEPHONE: 202-244-1491 EMBASSY: 1709

MEXICO Basanez Ebergenyi SPOUSE: Tatiana Beltran-Basanez EMBASSY: 1911 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 20006 TELEPHONE: 202-728-1600 RESIDENCE: 4925 Loughboro Rd. NW 20016

NAMIBIA AMBASSADOR: Martin

Andjaba Caroline Andjaba EMBASSY: 1605 New Hampshire Ave. NW, 20009 TELEPHONE: 202-986-0540 RESIDENCE: 10108 Iron Gate Rd., Potomac, MD 20854 SPOUSE:

NAURU

MALAYSIA AMBASSADOR: Awang

Bulgaa Chuluuntsetseg Erdenee EMBASSY: 2833 M St. NW, 20007 TELEPHONE: 202-333-7117 RESIDENCE: 1021 Iron Gate Rd., Potomac, MD 20854 SPOUSE:

CHARGÉ D’AFFAIRES:

AMBASSADOR: Miguel

MALAWI

MONGOLIA AMBASSADOR: Altangerel

MICRONESIA R. Takesy Justina Yangilmau Takesy EMBASSY: 1725 N St. NW, 20036 TELEPHONE: 202-223-4383

AMBASSADOR: Marlene

AMBASSADOR: Asterio

Inemwin Moses

SPOUSE:

EMBASSY AND RESIDENCE:

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

800 2nd Ave., #400-D, New York, NY 10017 TELEPHONE: 212-937-0074

| O C T O B E R | washingtonlife.com

CECILIA NAHÓN - Ambassador of Argentina PHOTO BY TONY POWELL

H

ow is Argentina dealing with its debt restructuring? After a default in 2001, Argentina successfully restructured its debt with 93 percent of its bondholders and is committed to finding a solution for 100 percent of them under fair, equitable, legal and sustainable conditions. The global community has overwhelmingly supported Argentina’s position. Recently, the United Nations approved a historic resolution outlining “Basic Principles on Sovereign Debt Restructuring Processes” which promotes a more stable and predictable international financial system and represents a relevant step towards a world free from vulture funds’ highly speculative behavior. How has uncertainty in the global economies impacted your country’s ability to pay off debt? Argentina’s economy has proven to be resilient to the persistent global economic crisis. The government implemented a sustainable debt strategy based on the premise that “it is necessary to grow in order to repay our debts”. Hence, Argentina has kept paying all its debts and reduced its debt to GDP ratio from 166 percent in 2002 to only 40 percent in 2014. What other world issues are most important to Argentina? Argentina’s economic model over the past decade has been one of growth with social inclusion promoting these views both at the domestic and global levels. Argentina also plays a key role in some of the world’s most crucial issues, among them championing for disarmament and nonproliferation and the promotion and protection of human rights, as well as supporting dialogue and negotiations as the way for solving international disputes and conflicts.

How are you working with or contributing to the Washington community this year? The Embassy has a very active agenda that includes many cultural events: movie screenings, tango lessons, concerts and art exhibits as well as partnerships with the Washington Chorus, the Washington Ballet, Choral Arts Society and the Pan American Symphony, among others. How do your countrymen feel about having a new pope who is one of their own? The whole country received the news with great happiness and joy. We take this profound honor recognizing Pope Francis’s humility, his concern for the poor, and his commitment to interfaith dialogue, as a symbol of Argentina’s message to the world. What’s one thing Americans don’t know about Argentina that they should? Science and technology is a top priority for our country. Argentina is the Latin American country with the highest number of Nobel Prizes in sciences, ranking fourth among emerging economies. What’s the best spot to find authentic Argentinian food here? Certainly, the Embassy offers the best “empanadas” in D.C.. And soon we will be able to enjoy our world renowned beef in the U.S. since beef imports from Argentina have been recently reauthorized after a 14 year old unfair ban. What’s one book and/or film from Argentina everybody needs to know about? The Oscar-winning movie “The Official Story”, among many other internationally acclaimed Argentine films produced in our growing film industry.

@ARGembassyinUSA

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NEPAL AMBASSADOR: Arjun

Kumar Karki Gauree Thakuri EMBASSY: 2131 Leroy Pl. NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-667-4550 RESIDENCE: 2730 34th Pl. NW, 20007 SPOUSE:

‘IRISH BUT ALSO EUROPEAN’

Ambassador David O’Sullivan keeps track of 28 countries, not just one

NETHERLANDS BY GAIL SCOTT

I

’m not their boss, I’m their colleague,” says European Union Ambassador David O’Sullivan speaking of the 28 fellow envoys whose member states belong to the EU and represent their home countries to the White House. “Once a month, we get together for breakfast at the EU Residence to talk about trade and other things.” (The palatial Kalorama residence, it should be noted, was once the home of Douglas Dillon, President Kennedy’s treasury secretary.) O’Sullivan is only the second diplomat to occupy the position of EU ambassador to the United States since the Treaty of Lisbon came into force on Dec. 1, 2009. The Treaty called for a more democratic, transparent and efficient Europe, a continent of rights, values, freedom, solidarity and security that was meant to be an actor on the global stage. Prior to arriving in the United States, Ambassador O’Sullivan served as the chief operating officer of the European External Action Service. The EEAS supports the high representative/vice president of the European Commission. “I tell Brussels what’s going on in Washington” he says, and “tell everyone here about the EU.” According to O’Sullivan, the EU general mission includes humanitarian assistance and helping member states manage political problems, economic growth and legal migration. “It’s about sharing, not just being on the front line like Italy and Greece still are with the asylum seekers,” he says of the gigantic migration hitting European shores from Libya, Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. The European Union, he notes, is the largest donor to the refugee camps and has given four billion euros to help the Syrians at home or in neighboring countries. To combat the smugglers’ use of unworthy sea vessels, the

AMBASSADOR: Hendrik

EU has created a naval force. Italy and several countries have helped. O’Sullivan likes to remind people that the migration in Europe is just one of many recent difficult situations. “We had the crisis in Greece, then Ukraine, Russia, Iran and now this migration since May.” Guaranteed peace and economic renewal are the keystones of the European Union’s goal to ensure Europe’s place in the world. “It only makes sense if we approach everything all together,” O’Sullivan says. “We are not the United States of Europe. We are 28 sovereign democracies.” An Irishman used to cool, damp weather; O’Sullivan loves Washington, “especially when it’s a bit cool with blue skies and this special quality of light. Washington is on a human scale with so much green. Cultural life is fantastic and the Smithsonian is a joy. Plus you have the excitement of politics. Sometimes I feel like an American. As a child, age eight or nine, I came over with my mother to visit relatives in California. Later, I was a camp counselor for two other summers. “My mother and I flew over on Pan Am. They served me a 7-Up and I had no idea what it was. Then my mother asked for tea and got a teabag. She had never seen that in her life; she was in a state of shock. Then we flew on with TWA and I met the captain. He gave me “Captain’s Wings” which I kept forever.” Although he has only been here since November, O’Sullivan already knows about the huge success EU Day on the Ninth of May. “That’s when we open all our embassies to the people of Washington. We have performances and everything is complimentary. “We build our identity in layers, he concludes. “I’m Irish but I’m also European.”

Jan Jurriaan Schuwer EMBASSY: 4200 Linnean Ave. NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 877-388-2443 RESIDENCE: 2347 S St. NW, 20008

NEW ZEALAND CHARGE D’AFFAIRES: Carl

Robinson Worker Observatory Circle, NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-328-4800 RESIDENCE: 2347 S St. NW, 20008 EMBASSY: 37

NICARAGUA AMBASSADOR: Francisco

Obadiah Campbell Hooker SPOUSE: Miriam Hooker EMBASSY: 1627 New Hampshire Ave. NW, 20009 TELEPHONE: 202-939-6570 RESIDENCE: 6434 Brookes Lane, Bethesda, MD 20816

NIGER AMBASSADOR: Hassana

Alidou R St. NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-483-4224 RESIDENCE: 3100 Argyle St. NW, 20011 EMBASSY: 2204

NIGERIA CHARGÉ D’AFFAIRS AD INTERIM:

Hakeem Toyin Balogun EMBASSY: 3519 International Ct. NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-986-8400

NORWAY AMBASSADOR: Kaare

Reidar Aas 34th St. NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-333-6000 RESIDENCE: 3401 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20007 EMBASSY: 2720

OMAN AMBASSADOR: Hunaina

Sultan Ahmed Al Mughairy SPOUSE: Fuad al-Hinai EMBASSY: 2535 Belmont Rd NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-387-1980 RESIDENCE: 2000 24th St. NW, 20008

PAKISTAN AMBASSADOR: Jalil SPOUSE:

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Abbas Jalani Shaista Jilani

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EMBASSY: 3517

International Ct. NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-243-6500 RESIDENCE: 2343 S St. NW, 20008

PROFESSOR TURNED AMBASSADOR

PALAU AMBASSADOR: Hersey

Kyota, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps SPOUSE: Lydia Shmull Kyota EMBASSY: 1701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Suite 300, 20036 TELEPHONE: 202-349-8598 RESIDENCE: 6423 13th St. Alexandria, VA 22307

Miguel Basanez heads Mexico’s embassy BY ROLAND FLAMINI

PANAMA AMBASSADOR: Emanuel

Arturo Gonzalez Revilla Lince SPOUSE: Luc Miro Tode De Gonzalez Revilla EMBASSY: 2862 McGill Terrace NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-483-1407 RESIDENCE: 2601 29th St. NW, 20008

PAPUA NEW GUINEA AMBASSADOR: Rupa

A Mulina Numa Mulina EMBASSY: 1779 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Suite 805, 20036 TELEPHONE: 202-745-3680 SPOUSE:

PARAGUAY AMBASSADOR: Igor

Alberto Pangrazio Vera Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-483-6960 RESIDENCE: 3238 Broad Branch Terrace NW, 20008 EMBASSY: 2400

PERU AMBASSADOR: Luis

Miguel Castilla Rubio Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20036 TELEPHONE: 202-833-9860 RESIDENCE: 3001 Garrison St. NW, 20008 EMBASSY: 1700

PHILIPPINES AMBASSADOR: Jose

L. Cuisia, Jr. Maria Victoria Cuisia EMBASSY: 1600 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20036 TELEPHONE: 202-467-9300 RESIDENCE: 2253 R St. NW 20008 SPOUSE:

POLAND AMBASSADOR: Ryszard

Marian Schnepf Dorota Anna Schnepf EMBASSY: 2640 16th St. NW, 20009 TELEPHONE: 202-234-3800 RESIDENCE: 3041 Whitehaven St. NW, 20008 SPOUSE:

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

M

iguel Basanez, Mexico’s ambassador to Washington, didn’t have far to go to reach his new post. A pollster and academic, he has for the past seven years been teaching Culture, Human Values, and Development at Tufts University’s Fletcher School. His appointment to head Mexico’s mission ends an unprecedented five-month gap since his predecessor resigned to become a judge of the Mexican supreme court. Basanez has no previous diplomatic experience, but is politically close to Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto – a qualification that should make him feel right at home in Washington where the top ambassadorial appointments are routinely doled out to non-careerists as presidential favors. The 65-year-old envoy is a member of Atlacomulco, Mexico’s secretive, powerful inner circle that has for decades played musical chairs with political posts: he is also credited with introducing opinion polling in Mexico starting with an election in 1985. In announcing his appointment, the Mexican government called Basanez “ideal to represent us in Washington.” Why he is ideal was not specified except perhaps for the fact that he has spent 12 years in the United States, seven of them in Boston at Tufts. In his remarks to the Mexican Senate hearing on his nomination he suggested that in moving to Washington from Boston he had simply moved from one American capital to another. In reality, he said, “the United States has three capitals: the political capital in Washington, the information capital in Silicon

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Valley, but the latter was miniscule compared with the knowledge capital in Boston.” But it’s in Washington that he faces a full workload of urgent repairs to the damage in the bi-lateral relationship between the United States and its neighbor south of the border, some of them issues in the U.S. presidential elections – for example, finding common ground on border security and the war on drugs, advancing trade ($534 billion), making sense on immigration.. Also muddying the water is the deeply embarrassing escape of the drug boss Joaquin “El Chapo” from a maximum security prison where the U.S. had helped put him after 14 years on the run. “El Chapo’s” escape exposed the government in Mexico City as incapable of effectively fighting corruption. At the same hearing Basanez said “the U.S. has been in the world’s driving seat for 25 years, since the fall of the Berlin Wall,” but Mexico had undergone positive changes, and as ambassador he intended to publicize them. The embassy laster said other items on the ambassador’s agenda included “designing a new architecture in the bi-lateral relationship,” and empowering the 11.4-million Mexican community in the United States. Not surprisingly, Mexico’s new ambassador has been quick to respond to Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s scathing comments on Mexican immigrants. Trump, he says, “knows very well that what he is saying is totally false, and sooner or later he is going to have to ask the Mexicans for forgiveness.”

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PORTUGAL AMBASSADOR: Nuno

Pisan Manawapatn, Thailand

Limbiye Edawe Kadangha Bariki, TOGO

Domingos Sarmento Alves, Timor Leste

Mahe’uli’uli Sandhurst Tupouniua, Tonga

Filipe Alves Salvador e Brito SPOUSE: Rofa Batoreu Brito EMBASSY: 2012 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20036 TELEPHONE: 202-350-5400 RESIDENCE: 2125 Kalorama Rd. NW 20008

QATAR AMBASSADOR: Mohammed

Jaham A. A. Al Kuwari Ali S A Almaadeed EMBASSY: 2555 M St. NW, 20037 TELEPHONE: 202-274-1600 RESIDENCE: 4839 Indian Lane NW, 20016 SPOUSE: Aisha

Serdar KĹlĹç, Turkey

Yousef Al Otaiba, UAE

REPUBLIC OF CHINA TAIWAN AMBASSADOR: Lyushun

Shen Christine Shen EMBASSY: 4201 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 20016 TELEPHONE: 202-895-1800 RESIDENCE: 3225 Woodley Rd. NW, 20008 SPOUSE:

Oliver Wonekha, Uganda

Peter Westmacott, United Kingdom

ROMANIA AMBASSADOR: George

Cristian Maior Anamaria Maior EMBASSY: 1607 23rd St. NW 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-332-4848

SAINT LUCIA AMBASSADOR: Elizabeth

Darius Clarke EMBASSY: 3216 New Mexico Ave. NW, 20016 TELEPHONE: 202-364-6792

Valerii Chalyi, Ukraine

Carlos Alberto Gianelli Derois, Uruguay

AMBASSADOR: Sergey

Ivanovich Kislyak Natalia M. Kislyak EMBASSY: 2650 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 20007 TELEPHONE: 202-298-5700 RESIDENCE: 1125 16th St. NW, 20036 SPOUSE:

Bakhtiyar Gulymov, Uzbekistan

Maximilien SĂĄnchez Arvelaiz, Venezuela

RWANDA AMBASSADOR: Mathilde

Mukantabana EMBASSY: 1875

Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 540, 20009 TELEPHONE: 202-232-2882 RESIDENCE: 1752 Sycamore St. NW, 20012

Pham Quang Vihn, Vietnam

Ahmed Awad Ahmed Bin Mubarak, Yemen

SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS Mr. Justin Kareem Hawley EMBASSY: 3216 New Mexico Ave. NW, 20016 TELEPHONE: 202-686-2636 RESIDENCE: 1016 Laurel Leaf Pl., Potomac, MD 20854

Feturi Elisaia SPOUSE: Maria Lei Sam-Elisaia EMBASSY: 800 2nd Ave., Suite 400-J, NW, 10017 TELEPHONE: 212-599-6196

SAN MARINO Rondelli N St. NW, 2nd f loor, 20036 TELEPHONE: 202-2232418 or 202-250-1535

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Ammon Mutembwa, Zimbabwe

SINGAPORE AMBASSADOR: Ashok

Kumar Gouri Uppal Mirpuri EMBASSY: 3501 International Pl. NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-537-3100 RESIDENCE: 2620 Rock Creek Dr. NW, 20008 SPOUSE:

AMBASSADOR: Paolo EMBASSY: 1711

SĂƒO TOMÉ AND PRĂ?NCIPE AMBASSADOR: Carlos

Filomeno Azevedo Agostinho das Neves SPOUSE: Ilva de Oliveira Cassandra Das Neves EMBASSY: 1211 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 300, 20036 TELEPHONE: 202-775-2075

SAUDI ARABIA CHARGÊ D’AFFAIRES: Sami

Alsadhan New Hampshire Ave. NW, 20037 TELEPHONE: 202-342-3800 EMBASSY: 601

SENEGAL AMBASSADOR: Babacar SPOUSE: Hadja

Diagne Hassiatou

Diop Diagne EMBASSY: 2215

M St. NW, 20037 TELEPHONE: 202-234-0540 RESIDENCE: 4500 Linnean Ave. NW, 20008

SLOVAK REPUBLIC AMBASSADOR: Peter

Kmec Monika Kmecova EMBASSY: 3523 International Ct. NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-237-1054 RESIDENCE: 7718 Carlton Pl., McLean, VA 22102 SPOUSE:

SLOVENIA AMBASSADOR: Bozo

Cerar California St. NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-386-6601 RESIDENCE: 2412 California St. NW, 20008 EMBASSY: 2410

SOLOMON ISLANDS AMBASSADOR: Collin

D. Beck Helen Beck EMBASSY: 800 2nd Ave., Suite 400L, NY 10017 TELEPHONE: 212-599-6192 SPOUSE:

SOMALIA AMBASSADOR: Ahmed

Isse Awad DeSales St. NW, Suite 300, 20036

EMBASSY: 1705

SOUTH AFRICA

SERBIA AMBASSADOR: Djerdj

Matkovic Markovic Matkovic EMBASSY: 2134 Kalorama Rd NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-332-0333 RESIDENCE: 4935 Loughboro Rd. NW, 20016 SPOUSE: Vera

CHARGÉ D’AFFAIRES:

Palan Mulonda, Zambia

Kortu Stevens Musu Stevens EMBASSY: 1701 19th St. NW, 20009 TELEPHONE: 202-939-9261 RESIDENCE: 4821 Colorado Ave. NW, 20008 SPOUSE:

SAMOA AMBASSADOR: Ali’ioaiga

SPOUSE:

RUSSIA

SIERRA LEONE AMBASSADOR: Bockari

SEYCHELLES AMBASSADOR: Marie-

Louise Cecile Potter SPOUSE: Clement Potter EMBASSY: 800 Second Ave., Suite 400, NY 10017 TELEPHONE: 212-687-9766

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AMBASSADOR: Mninwa

Johannes Mahlangu Nomaswazi Christina Mahlangu EMBASSY: 3051 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-232-4400 RESIDENCE: 4847 Rockwood Parkway, 20016 SPOUSE:

SOUTH SUDAN AMBASSADOR: Garang

Diing Akuong Nyimeda Baak Macham Angui EMBASSY: 1015 31st St. SPOUSE:

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NW, Suite 300, 20007 TELEPHONE: 202-293-7940

SPAIN

‘JUMPING HIGHER’

Ramón GilCasares Satrústegui EMBASSY: 2375 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 20037 TELEPHONE: 202-452-0100 RESIDENCE: 2350 Foxhall Rd. NW 20007 AMBASSADOR:

SRI LANKA AMBASSADOR: Prasad

Kariyawasam Kariyawasam EMBASSY: 2148, Wyoming Avenue NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: (202) 483 4025 RESIDENCE: 2503 30th Street, NW 20008 SPOUSE: Kanthi

SUDAN AMBASSADOR: Emad

Mirghani Abdelhamid Altohamy SPOUSE: Maha Abdelmonim Ibrahim EMBASSY: 2210 Massachusetts Ave NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: (202) 338-8565

SURINAME CHARGÉ D’AFFAIRES: Sylvana

Elvira Simson 4301 Connecticut Ave.NW, 200008 TELEPHONE: 202-244-7488 RESIDENCE: 7000 31st street nw 20015 EMBASSY:

SWAZILAND AMBASSADOR: Reverend

Abednego Ntshangase Phindile Futhi Ntshangase EMBASSY1712 New Hampshire Ave. NW, 20009 TELEPHONE: 202-234-5002

SPOUSE:

SWEDEN AMBASSADOR: Björn

Olof Lyrvall K. Anderson Lyrvall EMBASSY: 2900 K St. NW, 20007 TELEPHONE: 202-467-2600 RESIDENCE: 3900 Nebraska Ave, NW

SPOUSE:

SWITZERLAND AMBASSADOR: Martin

Werner Dahinden Anita Dahinden EMBASSY AND RESIDENCE : 2900 Cathedral Ave, NW 20008 TELEPHONE: 202- 745-7900 SPOUSE:

TAJIKISTAN AMBASSADOR: H.E.

Farhod Salim Marhabo Bilolova EMBASSY 1005 New Hampshire Ave. NW, Washington D.C., 20037 TELEPHONE: 202-223-6090

Netherlands Ambassador Henne Schuwer BY ROLAND FLAMINI

T

here’s a peripatetic flavor to your typical not the ambassador of the U.K. so I have to jump a diplomatic career, with postings in several little higher,” he adds. countries and moves every four or five Even so, our relationship works., Schuwer years; so Henne (Hendrik) Schuwer’s long says, citing burgeoning trade figures. In 2012, stretch in Belgium is something of a legend in the Dutch investments in the U.S. economy passed Netherlands Foreign Service. “I am slightly the the $275 billion mark, an increase of $35 envy of my colleagues because I spent 13 years in billion from the previous year, and American Brussels,” he said (not without a certain smugness) investments in the Netherlands were $645 shortly after his arrival as the new Netherlands billion, an increase of $50 billion. Trade of goods ambassador to Washington. and services between the two countries rose to Actually, the real total is 17 years: he served $90 billion, an increase of $9 billion. in his country’s Brussels Schuwer says embassy for four years the Hague hopes for earlier in his career. Washington’s support Fourteen years later, in taking action on the he was deputy chief of findings of the current the Dutch mission to inquiry into the downing the European Union in last year of Malaysia the Belgian capital from Airlines flight MH17 in 2002-2006, remained eastern Ukraine near there as chief of staff the Russian border. One to NATO Secretary hundred ninety-eight General Jaap de Hoop Dutch passengers were Schaffer (2006-2009), among those who lost and – following a year their lives in the crash, back at the Hague widely believed in the – was appointed West to have been Holland’s ambassador caused by a Russianto Belgium from 2010 supplied missile fired by to this summer. the rebels (the Russians And Brussels is blame Ukrainian Photo courtesy Royal Netherlands Embassy where Schuwer, 62, and government forces). his Swedish-born wife Findings of the Lena will retire after Washington to play golf and inquiry will be handed to the Dutch prosecutor for tennis and see what the future brings. In interviews action. “We’re not going to war over this, but for us he has called the Belgian capital one of the least the issue is almost a holy task,” says Schuwer. “It’s a efficient cities where a person can end up, “but I political situation where you need your friends.” have fallen in love with it.” Like many Europeans from the six EU founding This is not Schuwer’s first American posting countries he laments how hard it has become to either. He was consul general in Los Angeles in reach consensus among the 28 nations on such the late 1980s and then deputy chief of mission in major problems as the euro crisis and the Syrian Washington (1997-2002). “Having been here before immigrants. “It was much easier to be solid when is a big advantage because otherwise it takes you a we were six,” he says. The “narrative of Europe” has year to adjust,” he observes. Not that Washington changed, he says. “Germany has become the center itself remains the same. Every election brings new of Europe; the German way of doing business is changes in the administration and “you have to re- dominating Europe at the moment.” invest in new contacts.” But not everyone is willing to accept that reality. In the nation’s capital big countries have easier “Maybe if you live in Greece you don’t want to live access by virtue of their relative importance. “I’m like a German.”

SPOUSE:

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PRASAD KARIYAWASAM Ambassador of Sri Lanka

AMBASSADOR KÅRE R AAS Norway Tell us something people don’t know about you and would be surprised to hear. I really enjoy running. In the next month, I will be running in three different half-marathon and marathon races – and they’re all for a good cause!

(Embassy Photo) What did you do prior to being posted to Washington I served as my country’s high commissioner (ambassador) to India for nearly 4½ years until I was posted to Washington in June 2014. I am familiar with the United States because I was minister in the Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington from 1995 to 1998 and later was Sri Lanka’s ambassador to the United Nations from 2005 to 2008. I have also served in Riyadh and Geneva, in the latter as ambassador to the U.N. What do you most want to accomplish here? Sri Lanka has enjoyed a robust relationship with the United States, but intermittent stress and dissonance has affected its sustained progress. The United States is the most powerful maritime nation in the world. Sri Lanka is a strategically located island nation and we have the potential to develop greater maritime co-operation for mutual benefit. I would like to bring our bilateral relations to a state of irreversible excellence based on, among other matters, Sri Lanka’s renewed commitment to democracy, rule of law and respect for human rights. How has Sri Lanka most changed since the defeat of the Tamil Tigers and the end of the long civil war in 2009? Since the conclusion of the 30-year conflict in 2009, Sri Lanka has achieved phenomenal economic growth and is now poised to become a vibrant regional hub for shipping, aviation and service industries based on its location, natural and human resources and the stability that prevails throughout the island. The election of the new president in January and re-affirmation of his reform agenda at the parliamentary election in August will further consolidate the transformation of Sri Lanka to a modern nation with even higher quality of life and sustainable prosperity.

What are your favorite places in Washington? D.C. has so much to offer, so I can’t say I have just one favorite but I do look forward to the inauguration of the National Museum of African American History and Culture in 2016. I think the museum will contribute to the nation’s capital by highlighting the important African-American culture and history. What would you like to accomplish in your time in Washington? What are the top issues on your agenda? I would like to maintain and strengthen the excellent cooperation Norway has with the U.S. on a broad area of common interests. This includes climate change and Arctic cooperation, education with an emphasis on education for girls in conflict zones, trade and promotion, defense and security

AMBASSADOR MARTIN DAHINDEN Switzerland What is your favorite book? I always read several books at the same time, and I always have many favorites. But when I met President Jimmy Carter earlier this year, he gave me a signed copy of his book “The Hornet’s Nest” on the American Revolution in the South. It was a fascinating read! What do you like to do in your free time? History and food are among my great interests. I am about to write a book on the Swiss contribution to culinary history. But I am also fascinated by the culinary footprint so many Swiss have left in the United States.

The new government is a coalition of center-right and socialist parties. How do you think that will work? The new national government reflects the general will of the people for good governance, political stability and reconciliation among communities and will help sustain high economic growth for the benefit of all. Different political views of the constituent elements of the national government can be easily harmonized for the nation’s benefit. Is Sri Lanka’s foreign policy shifting away from China toward India and the West? Since Independence in 1948, Sri Lanka has consistently followed a foreign policy of “friendship with all and enmity toward none” and has succeeded in that effort. Successive governments continue in this path and in this context have made adjustments whenever necessary in the national interest. Our relations with major powers in our region and globally is not a zero sum game.

What are your favorite places in Washington? I love the Library of Congress and sometimes work in the main reading room in my spare time. I like the National Gallery and silent encounters with masterpieces of art, and Washington is so rich in wonderful places! And I am still discovering new ones every day.

@EmbassyofSL

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RESIDENCE: 4629 2nd St. South, Arlington, VA 22204

TANZANIA AMBASSADOR: Wilson

Mutagaywa Masilingi 1232 22nd St. NW, Washington D.C 20037 TELEPHONE: 202-884-1080 EMBASSY:

THAILAND AMBASSADOR: Pisan

Manawapat Wanchana Manawapat EMBASSY: 1024 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007 TELEPHONE: 202-944-3600 RESIDENCE: 2145 Decatur Place, NW 20008 SPOUSE:

TIMOR-LESTE EAST TIMOR AMBASSADOR: Domingos

Sarmento Alves Odete Genoveva Victor de Costa EMBASSY: 4201 Connecticut Ave NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: (202) 966-3202 RESIDENCE: 1220 East West Hwy, Apt. 1105, Silver Spring, Md., 20910 SPOUSE:

TOGO AMBASSADOR: Edawe

Limbye Kadangha Bariki SPOUSE: Essozimana Kadangha Bariki EMBASSY: 2208 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-234-4212 RESIDENCE: 1615 Crittenden St. NW, 20010

PHOTO BY TONY POWELL

TONGA AMBASSADOR: Mahe’uli’uli

Sandhurst Tupouniua 250 E 51st St, New York, NY 10022 TELEPHONE: (917) 369-1025 EMBASSY AND RESIDENCE:

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO CHARGÉ D’AFFAIRES: Colin

Michael Connelly EMBASSY: 1708 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036 TELEPHONE: (202) 467-6490 RESIDENCE: 7530 17th Street, NW 20012

TUNISIA AMBASSADOR: Faycal

Gouia Massachusetts Ave NW, 20005 TELEPHONE: 202-862-1850 RESIDENCE: 5131 Broad Branch Rd. NW, 20008 EMBASSY: 1515

PAUL ALTIDOR - Ambassador of Haiti

W

hat are the most important diplomatic goals on your agenda right now? Bear in mind that Haiti suffers the most from an imsge problem at least when it comes to the outside world. A lot of times when people think of Haiti they think only of poverty, instability and charity. Haiti has a very long and prosperous history, a very vibrant culture, so we’re trying to actually offer that other view that most people are not accustomed to when hearing about Haiti. There are a lot of things happening in the country and part of reshaping the image is also trying to distance ourselves from being a destination for visitors mostly from the United Kingdom. Back in the ‘60s and ‘70s, Haiti was a major tourist destination. American tourists and many celebrities used to flock to Haiti to find leisure. That helped bring a lot of currency for the country. In trying to rebuild we are relying on a number of sectors, including tourism. Do you think the image problem stems from the earthquake or is it something more than that? Some of it preceded it, but unfortunately the earthquake brought the devastation to the forefront and it’s really hard for people to disassociate the earthquake, charity and poverty from the country of Haiti as a whole. We’re working with the

friends and allies of Haiti to encourage people to actually come and discover the richness of our culture, and tourism sector so the country can really begin to rebuild itself and not be dependent on the charity of others. How are you working to promote Haiti as a travel destination? We’re building a lot of infrastructure; hotels are being built, big and small. And I’m spending a lot of time in the states touring universities, going to business conferences, talking to the business community, not only to get people to invest in Haiti but also for folks to take leisure destination trips to Haiti. In what ways is Haiti rebuilding its economy? We must put people to work first and foremost. Until most Haitians have the ability to find jobs, the economy isn’t going to grow. There are some critical sectors for the country’s long-term recovery: tourism, energy, agriculture and so forth. The state has been aggressive in trying to attract investment dollars into these sectors as well. The gift that is going to keep giving at the end of the day isn’t charity money, but investment dollars that can provide real jobs and opportunities for Haitians, which in turn grows the economy.

@EmbassyOfHaiti

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DIRECTORY

EXCEPTIONAL ENVOYS Former Chief of Protocol Selwa S. (“Lucky”) Roosevelt’s short list of the most outstanding ambassadors to serve in Washington over the past 50 years

Jose Maria Areilza, Count of Motrico, (right), was the Spanish ambassador assigned to Washington just as relations with Spain were being normalized following the rupture in bilateral relations after the Spanish Civil War. I was a young reporter writing a column about Washington society, with emphasis on the diplomatic corps. Thus I had a chance to observe the way this extraordinary man wooed the movers and shakers of the capital. He and the Countess entertained with great elegance after refurbishing the embassy on 16th Street NW and creating a beautiful ballroom. Their New Year’s Eve party became the most prized invitation in Washington. Cordial diplomatic relations between the United States and Spain were gradually restored and much of it was due to this brilliant and dedicated diplomat. He brought some outstanding junior diplomats with him as well, such as Luis de Pedroso (left), who later became the Count of Madan as well as Spanish ambassador to the O.A.S. British Ambassador Sir Antony Acland (pictured here with me when I was chief of protocol during the Reagan years) was a handsome widower. All the great hostesses vied for his attention, but later he married the adorable Jenny and together they were an exceptional couple that represented the very best of Britain. I will never forget the ball they gave at the embassy in my honor. After his tour of duty in Washington he returned to the U.K. and became the Provost of Eton at the time when Prince William and Prince Harry were students there.

TURKEY AMBASSADOR: Serdar

Kılıç Sinem Kılıç EMBASSY: 2525 Massachusetts Ave. NW 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-612-6729 RESIDENCE: 1606 23rd St. NW, 20008 SPOUSE: Zeliha

TURKMENISTAN AMBASSADOR: Meret

Bairamovich Orazov Irina Borisovna Orazova EMBASSY: 2207 Massachusetts Ave. NW 20008 TELEPHONE: 202 588 1500 SPOUSE:

TUVALU Aunese Makoi Simati Sunema Pie Simati EMBASSY: : 800 Second Ave., Suite 400D, New York, NY, 10017 TELEPHONE: 212-490-0534 AMBASSADOR SPOUSE::

UGANDA AMBASSADOR: Oliver

Wonekha 16th Street NW 20011 TELEPHONE: 202-726-7100 RESIDENCE: 4000 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20016 EMBASSY: 5911

UKRAINE Ambassador of France Emmanuel de Margerie, known as “Bobbie,” was the epitome of French panache with a pixie sense of humor. I relied so much on him when I was chief of protocol, because he saw me through two visits of President François Mitterand of France. He needed all his skills as a diplomat to handle both a 10-day state visit taking us from Washington to San Francisco, with several stops in between, as well as a trip to New York to celebrate the centenary of the Statue of Liberty (which had been given to the U.S. by France). I will always be grateful to Bobbie for his astuteness and diplomatic skills and will always remember his incredible charm. Hélène de Margerie was a perfect match for her husband—a talented hostess and delightful company. Another Spanish ambassador, Antonio Oyarzabal, and his beautiful American wife, the former Beatrice Lodge (daughter of John Davis Lodge, onetime U.S. ambassador to Spain, Switzerland and Argentina) were very special to me because I had been at her debut and their wedding. They were very popular and also experts in their roles as ambassador and châtelaine of the Spanish embassy. Count Wilhelm Wachtmeister of Sweden was dean of the diplomatic corps during my time in the State Department and I relied upon him through many very delicate negotiations with the diplomatic corps. I could always depend on Willie’s wisdom and discretion. He was the perfect diplomat and his wife, Ulla, a consummate hostess noted for the wonderful smorgasbord that was a mainstay of their many glamorous parties.

AMBASSADOR: Valerii

Chalyi Liudmyla Mazuka EMBASSY: 3350 M St NW 20007 TELEPHONE: 202349 2944 RESIDENCE: 4744 Foxhall Crescent NW, 20007 SPOUSE:

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES AMBASSADOR: Yousef

Al Otaiba Abeer Al Otaiba EMBASSY: 3522 International Court, NW, Suite 400, 20008 TELEPHONE: (202) 243-2400 SPOUSE:

UNITED KINGDOM AMBASSADOR: Sir

Peter Westmacott Lady (Susie) Westmacott EMBASSY: 3100 Massachusetts Avenue, NW 20008 TELEPHONE: 202 588 6500 SPOUSE:

URUGUAY AMBASSADOR: Carlos

Alberto Gianelli Derois EMBASSY: 1913 I St NW, 20006 TELEPHONE: 202-331-1313 RESIDENCE: 9001 Clewerwall Dr., Bethesda MD, 20817

UZBEKISTAN AMBASSADOR: Bakhtiyar

Gulymov

Selwa S. (“Lucky”) Roosevelt served as chief of protocol of the United States from 1982 to 1989.

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AMBASSADOR SALAM AL-SABAH Kuwait Tell us something people don’t know about you and would be surprised to hear. I am a big fan of the old Looney Tunes cartoons and I watch them regularly with my 7-year-old son. What would you say are common misconception in your country about Americans and inversely, what are common misconceptions Americans have about your country? In the Arab world, the common misconception is that all Americans are anti-Arab, and in America, the common misconception is that all Arabs are anti-American. The media on both sides is largely to blame. What are your some of favorite places in Washington? I never get tired of the Air and Space Museum. I am also a big fan of dining out and my favorite restaurants are Et Voila, Fiola Mare, Sushiko, Cafe Milano, Makoto and Setté Osteria.

AMBASSADOR CLAUDIA FRITSCHE Liechtenstein

Tell us something people don’t know about you and would be surprised to hear. I used to be a practicing lab scientist in the biotech industry. I led a team in the development of a pre-clinical drug candidate for blood clots, for which the company filed a patent. What would you like to accomplish in your time in Washington? I would like to achieve greater cooperation in scientific research between Costa Rican and U.S. scientists, and greater educational exchange between both nations. What are your favorite places in Washington? I like to walk to the Mall and visit the monuments and the museums, especially the Air & Space museum. I love to go out to eat in Arlington. A favorite restaurant is Mussel Bar.

AMBASSADOR CLAUDIO BISOGNIERO Italy

What was the best advice given to you as an incoming ambassador? Learn as quickly as possible how Washington works. If you don’t have access where you need it, make sure you know someone who does.

What is the best book you’ve read recently? I loved “Unbroken” by Laura Hillenbrand (Louis Zamperini’s incredible story) and my friend Chris Matthews’ “Jack Kennedy – Elusive Hero.”

What do you like to do in your free time? What are your hobbies? I love travelling in the U.S. (I have visited all 50 states) and beyond. It is my everlasting passion. I like hiking, films and reading.

What was the best advice given to you as an incoming ambassador? Subscribe to Washington Life!

What are your favorite places in Washington? I like the National Gallery – the only painting by Leonardo da Vinci in the U.S., “Ginevra de’ Benci,” is there, it used to belong for centuries to the princely family of Liechtenstein. My all-time favorite is the National Museum of Women in the Arts.

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AMBASSADOR ROMAN MACAYA HAYES Costa Rica

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Are you on Twitter? Naturally, I actively use Twitter (@ CBisogniero). I don’t think anybody can function effectively as a diplomat in the 21st century without being an active part of social media. This is why the Italian Embassy strives to play a leading role in this field: please feel free to visit our Social Media Hub (www. twiplomacy.it) and share your ideas with us today!.

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SPOUSE:

Nargiza Irkinovna Gulyamova

EMBASSY AND RESIDENCE: 1746

Massachusetts Ave NW 20036 TELEPHONE: 202-887-5300

BICYCLE DIPLOMACY

VENEZUELA CHARGÉ D’AFFAIRES Maximilien

One on One with Ambassador of Finland Kirsti Kauppi

Sánchez Arvelaiz 30th St NW 20007 TELEPHONE: (202) 342-2214 EMBASSY: 1099

BY GAIL SCOTT

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his diplomat bikes to work as do most Koukku was the first female ambassador to people back home. Newly arrived represent Finland in Washington and Kauppi Ambassador of Finland Kirsti Kauppi wears is the second. It is surprising that Finland heels and business clothes – even short skirts – on didn’t send a female envoy sooner. The her two-wheeler. “When I have any free time,” she Nordic country’s first female president, Tarja says, “I also like to take a bike ride.” Halonen, held office from 2003 until 2011 and Besides having several bicycles at the two different female prime ministers served embassy available to staff wanting to commute during that same period. to meetings and conferences around town, the “We punch above our weight,” Koukku says. Finns are the only embassy in Washington with “We have cutting-edge technology. Basically, a sauna. Although Kauppi has been in Finland’s our societies [the U.S. and Finland] are very ministry of foreign affairs since 1983, she admits similar. We understand each other. The she doesn’t like saunas. transatlantic link is very That doesn’t mean other important to us.” Finnish diplomats don’t She notes that the take “Sauna Diplomacy” Nordic countries share seriously. They are known deep common values: to eagerly turn up the democracy, equality, rule heat on their guests until of law and human rights an agreement is reached. that go back centuries. She makes up for this Finland and Sweden are by drinking lots of coffee. not in NATO and Norway “Finns are the first or second and Iceland are not in the heaviest coffee drinkers in EU” the world. The Dutch could “Washington is a be number one.” demanding post,” says Kauppi was born in Koukku, who served Oulu in Northern Finland. as a political officer in “As a young student I Washington from 1997 Finish Ambassador Kirsti Kauppi on an wanted to be a primary to 2000 during the embassy bicycle. (Embassy Photo) school teacher,” she says, Clinton years. “You have because “professional teachers are the most to choose what to concentrate on. There are popular in Finland.” infinite possibilities; you can use your time in By the time she went off to college she had 100 different ways. Competition is very tough changed her career choice. Kauppi studied in for attention and what you have to offer.” the Helsinki School of Economics and Business She enjoys being back in the United States Administration and received her Master’s and Washington again. “The first thing is the degree in Economics in 1981. “My mother asked friendly atmosphere and easy-going attitude. me ‘What happened?’ I loved history and she I just love it.” expected me to be a teacher. I didn’t just want Finland’s mission on Massachusetts Avenue to know what was happening in our village or NW, nick-named “The Green House,” was our country but what was happening in the inaugurated in 1994. It immediately stood out world.” on Embassy Row as a perfect example of public Throughout her distinguished career she diplomacy because it so succinctly represents has served in Geneva, Bangkok, Brussels, its home country. According to a small but Washington, Helsinki and Vienna. “My handsome book about this LEED Platinum predecessor, Ambassador Ritva Koukku-Ronde, embassy, the building is “simultaneously is now in Berlin and I was already there. We laugh understated and bold, humble and dramatic” about following each other around the world.” — and as such unapologetically Finnish.

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VIETNAM AMBASSADOR: Vinh

Quang Pham Lien Bich Hoang EMBASSY: 1233 20th Street, NW Suite 400, 20036 TELEPHONE: (202) 861-0737 during 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM and 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM from Monday - Friday SPOUSE:

YEMEN AMBASSADOR: Ahmed

Awad Ahmed Bin Mubarak EMBASSY: 2319 Wyoming Avenue, NW 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-965-4760 RESIDENCE: 4850 Glenbrook Rd. NW, 20016

ZAMBIA AMBASSADOR: Palan

Mulonda Mutinta Valerie Mululuma Mulonda EMBASSY: 2200 R Street, NW, 20008 TELEPHONE: 202-265-9717 SPOUSE:

ZIMBABWE AMBASSADOR: Ammon

Mutembwa Priscilla Panichai Mutembwa EMBASSY: 1608 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, TELEPHONE: 202-332-7100 RESIDENCE: 7116 Helmsdale Rd., Bethesda, MD 20817 SPOUSE:

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RÉKA SZEMERKÉNYI - Ambassador of Hungary PHOTO BY TONY POWELL

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ow are you dealing with the repercussions in the U.S. about how Hungary is handling the European migrant crisis? My aim is to inform the U.S. decision makers and public of the actions of the Hungarian government, to highlight the motivations behind them and raise awareness of the complex challenges and dilemmas facing us in dealing with this unforeseen crisis. The current migration crisis is unprecedented, it poses humanitarian as well as security challenges and raises fundamental questions about European immigration policy. Hungary’s answers reflect the complexity of these challenges. Hungary pays a special attention to comply with all international humanitarian obligations and provides food, water, emergency medical supplies and shelter to all migrants seeking asylum. Hungary is also responsible for our common European external border and therefore erected a fence to protect those borders. It is in line with EU law that clearly stipulates the responsibility of Hungary to protect the Schengen borders. At the same time Hungary has consistently called for focusing on the root causes of the migration wave. We firmly believe a long-term solution has to be developed which addresses the root causes of the crisis to help protect the lives and human rights of the affected people in their home countries.

Outside of the migrant crisis what global issues are most important to Hungary? Hungary has traditionally played an important role in regional security and EuroAtlantic integration and we continue to do so. Hungary has been active in cyber security, helping to promote regional and international cooperation in combatting cybercrime. Sustainable global water use has emerged as an issue where Hungary has played an outsize role and the country has been very active in the UN process on formulating the new Sustainable Development Goals, especially with regards to water management and sanitation.

Does your background as the prime minister’s chief advisor on security policy play a role in your duties as ambassador? Yes. Security policy is one of the most important building blocks of U.S. – Hungarian bilateral friendship, so my background in this area is very important in the work I do here. As a professional, I am very proud of our military working closely with our American allies previously in Afghanistan and now in Northern Iraq, fighting ISIL, as well as of Hungary currently contributing to the air defense of the Baltic states. My relationship with the prime minister also allows me to be more effective as ambassador.

What are some things Americans don’t know about Hungary that they should? Recently Budapest has emerged as one of the most important IT startup hubs in Europe. But Hungarian innovations offer an equally fascinating insight into what work is being done there. And of course, Budapest is home to excellent cuisine, wine tasting and pastry shops that serve delicious cakes often named after major historical figures. I would highly recommend everyone to go, visit us and check these out

What local and cultural issues are you focusing on in Washington this year? We always strive to add a special Hungarian flavor to the thriving D.C. cultural life. Of the programs we are planning to organize this Fall, I would highlight the screening of the new Hungarian movie “Son of Saul” in D.C. in December, before the U.S. premier. This critically acclaimed gripping movie about the Holocaust will represent Hungarian cinema at the Oscars this year and has won the Grand Prix at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival

@HungaryinUSA

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TWIPLOMACY’S HONEST FUN AND LIKABLE VOICES From selfies to puppy pictures, friendly sports wagers to today’s “must-read,� ambassadors bring personal flair to digital diplomacy BY DA R A K L AT T

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n “obsessionâ€? is what France’s ambassador to the U.S. GĂŠrard Araud (@GerardAraud) calls Twitter. Tweeting over 11,000 times, he has used the social medium to discuss and eagerly debate topics on refugees in Europe, ISIS’ use of the Internet, climate change, the Greek crisis, the Iran Deal, NSA spying, Israeli policy in occupied territories, and what he sees as misleading coverage of events in the U.S. media. He also uses it to decree that a Rolling Stone cover with Kim Kardashian is “the death of rock’n’roll;â€? voice his frustration with public transportation delays; enlighten a foreign policy reporter about Bastille Day (noting: “you owe me a bottle of Champagneâ€?); and retweet Calvin and Hobbes cartoons. As “a good Frenchman,â€? Araud also tweets when he’s anticipating a vacation, when he is on vacation (but still tweeting, of course) ‌ and three weeks later, when he is begrudgingly back from vacation. Call him a master strategist or a colorful diplomat that rages against clichĂŠs, his enthusiastic use of Twitter — and brush of assumed political protocol with sharp wit — has gained him 17,000 followers. It’s also earned him plenty of admirers, especially

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from fellow ambassadors to the U.S. who are following his lead. With varying degrees of panache, some of the most active ambassadors to the U.S. on Twitter, according to a recent Exploring Digital Diplomacy study sample, include those from Italy, France, the European Union, Germany, Switzerland, Norway, Turkey, Sweden, Qatar and the U.K. As far as attracting an audience, Israel’s Ambassador Ron Dermer (@ AmbDermer) leads the charge with more than 40,000 followers, trailed by Araud at 17,100, Italy’s Claudio Bisogniero (@CBisogniero) at 7,200 and the U.K.’s Sir Peter Westmacott (@ PeterWestmacott) at 6,200. While most ambassadors focus on behindthe-scenes diplomacy or presenting their own stance of an issue, some diplomatic Twitteratis have steadily gained followers by letting their personalities peer through. Move over staid digital diplomacy. It’s time for selfies and puppy pictures. German ambassador to the U.S. Peter Wittig (@AmbWittig), Westmacott, Iraq’s Lukman Al Faily (@FailyLukman) and Qatar’s Mohammed Al Kuwari (@Amb_AlKuwari) have all posted selfies. Wittig’s photo of his adopted puppy Mikosch got 41 likes and 14 retweets. Westmacott and the EU’s David

O’Sullivan (@EUAmbUS) couldn’t help posting pictures with celebrities like Dame Judith Dench and Shaq. There’s #WineWedesday for Switzerland’s Martin Dahinden (@Martin_Dahinden) on a California tour, Westmacott bike riding at Google headquarters, and O’Sullivan at the Grand Ole Opry. They might sport red socks for New York Fashion Week, penguin ties for World Penguin Day, four-leaf-clover cuffs on St. Patrick’s Day and wear ’60s costumes to a Beatles cover band concert. You’ll find via tweets that one of Araud’s preferred writers is Jane Austen, Wittig’s favorite composer is Bach, Al Kuwari’s favorite song is “We are the World,� Westmacott waited 50 years for his first Rolling Stones concert, and Switzerland’s Dahinden’s online quiz result was “Switzerland Expert.� But sports bring out the pride and humility. Israel’s Ron Dermer was forced to tweet his “Pacers Pride� after losing a bet with the governor of Indiana. And during the FIFA World Cup, the German and Norwegian ambassadors took part in a friendly twitter wager with the loser owing a case of national beer. Hey, diplomacy is complicated.Twiplomacy is just favorited.

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Botswana Amb. David Newman and Changu Newman

Annie Boutin King, Mike Manatos and Laura Evans Manatos

Amb. Capricia Marshall, Chief of Protocol Amb. Peter Selfridge

AMBASSADORS BALL Marriott Marquis | PHOTOS BY TONY POWELL

Kimberly Holland, RenĂŠ Augustine, Carrie Marriott and Russell Parker

DIPLOMATIC EVENING: Former President Bill Clinton opened the 37th annual Ambassadors Ball with a video welcoming newly assigned ambassadors and their spouses to the city. Co-chaired by Erica Castro, Brian Rodgers and Capricia Marshall, the annual ball honoring the Washington diplomatic corps drew more than 500 attendees and benefited the National MS Society—more than $20 million has been raised since the event began for research into multiple sclerosis. Guests participated in a silent auction with items that included opportunities to dine with ambassadors at their embassies, exotic getaways and world-wide cultural experiences. Illustrious guests included Sen. John McCain, who made a surprise appearance to accept an award.

Rep. Fred Upton, Rep. Cathy McMorris-Rodgers and Rep. Diana DeGette

VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS AT WWW WASHINGTONLIFE COM

Russia Amb. Sergei Kislyak and Natalie Kislyakand Joe Ruzzo Mark Lowham, Tori Thomas

Ginny Doer and Canada Amb. Gary Doer

Sen. John McCain and Russell Parker

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Mike and Tisha Hyter

Julian and Erica Castro

Ireland Amb. Anne Anderson 69

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DIRECTORY

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D C WITHOUT EMBASSIES A FANTASY SCENARIO – OR IS IT? Photo Caption

BY ROLAND FLAMINI

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n late 2016, a group of European countries facing serious economic problems following the collapse of the euro amalgamated their respective embassies in Washington with their U.N. Missions into single diplomatic operations based in Manhattan. Left behind were the Photo Caption Photo Caption embassy brass plaques as a symbolic presence, and a number of service apartments and hotel suites available for visiting diplomats. Within six months, other embassies had seen that – after initial American huffing - the relocation had done no lasting harm to the bi-lateral relations of the departed Photo Caption Photo Caption missions, and a real exodus began -- greatly helped by the timely introduction of a new high- speed rail service bringing Washington closer to New York City than Pelham, N.Y. A sea of For Sale signs went up on Photo Caption

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Embassy Row and elsewhere as some 180 foreign missions attempted to unload various residences and chanceries. In a buyer’s market, what had started life as Millionaires’ Row before the Depression and then became Embassy Row was Millionaires’ Row again as the grand ambassadorial mansions were snapped up by leaders of the computer aristocracy. A fleet of more than 6,000 cars with diplomatic plates flooded the used car market. A number of Washingtonians cut off suddenly from their transfusion of embassy receptions and social functions had to go into therapy to treat their withdrawal symptoms… RELAX! Not Happening -- except perhaps in Mayor Muriel Bowser’s worst nightmares. Not yet anyway. Embassies enrich a

country’s capital, culturally as well as financially. Yet in these days of terrorism and advancing technology who can say when nations might decide to substitute holograms for human diplomats? Holograms need neither food nor shelter; they get paid no salary, and no lives are lost if they get blown up. Not that there’s any sign of ambassadors with briefcases being replaced by ambassadors inside briefcases. Washington’s diplomatic community is growing still. In 2001, 169 foreign missions employed a total of 9,681 personnel, according to a study prepared at the time by George Mason University for the National Capital Planning Commission. Their combined payroll and non-payroll expenditure totaled $547.67 million, or three percent of Washington’s $57.2 billion

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P H OTOS BY TO N Y P OW E L L

Signature Theatre’s Sondheim Gala at the Italian embassy. in 2014. Photo Caption Photo Caption

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(Photo courtesy Embassy of Haiti) The 2015 Opera Ball was held at the German ambassador’s residence.

economy (gross state product), according to the report. No public study along the same lines has been undertaken since – an indication that perhaps the city takes its diplomatic community too much for granted. In 2014, when the U.S. Treasury showed the District’s GSP or gross state product had grown to $113.3 billion, the number of foreign missions had increased to 180, their collective work-force to close to 11,000, and based on available data a variety of financial experts estimated that the payroll-plus-expenditure numbers skyrocketed to $881.5 million. A typical mission consists of a handful of foreign diplomats plus a locally hired support staff of U.S. citizens and non-American permanent residents holding jobs like secretary to the ambassador of Kuwait, commercial officer in the French Embassy, press attaché in the British Embassy, social secretary to the Spanish ambassador, as well as cook, chauffeur, security staff, translator, and receptionist. In 2001, according to the report, local payrolls were $292.5 million. The report also estimated that personal consumer spending by employees in the District was $32.4 million –

Something surprising people don’t know about you? I am very interested in design, architecture andArab home renovation. The embassy of the United Emirates at night.

Something surprising Americans don’t know about country? including $3.411 million on groceries. Nonday celebrations each year – your Bastille Day for That Haiti has an abundance of tourist destinations. payroll spending by foreign missions was the French, St. Patrick’s Day for the Irish, the estimated at $257.7 million, of which nearly Birthday Favorite vacationQueen’s spot in your country?for the British, the Pope’s Jeremie becausebirthday it is homefor andthe is apapal quiet, nuncio peaceful-location. 40 percent was funneled to District-based are a major businesses. prop of Washington’s catering trade, and the Historical figure you most admire? With at least one new embassyToussaint residence number of former chefs who over Louverture because against allembassy odds he had the political acumen or chancery built every year, notosector of the years independence. have quit their jobs and gone into set the stage for Haiti’s Washington business has benefited more business for themselves has been a factor in the Washington social event you look forward to the most every year? than the construction business. Some notable quality leap of Washington restaurants. Also, it’s Passport DC because I enjoy welcoming the general public to the embassy. examples: the Spanish Embassy residence, estimated that the embassies receive hundreds Howmillion, do you like to your free time? completed in 2004, at a cost of $10 of spend official visitors from their respective home Playing and–when I haveof a free moment joining the $80 million Swedish chancery onwith themy 1-year-old countriesdaughter, every year a benefit $361 million a pickup soccer game. Potomac at Georgetown Harbor in 2006, the in hotel revenue alone last year. new Pakistani Embassy at $15 million, the There is, however, one revenue the Languages you speak? French, Creole and English.has I also learned Spanishcollecting while spending time in fortress-like Italian chancery. Then there is District had problems from Central America, but I don’t get to practice it very often. the cluster of 17 new embassies built between diplomats for decades – parking tickets. From 1985 and 2014 at the InternationalDish Chancery time, member of home? the media obtains you miss thetime mostto when youaare away from a Haitian Center off Van Ness Street NW Legume, on parcels thevegetable latest stew. unpaid figures from the State of land leased by the State Department. Department’s Diplomatic Motor Vehicles Favorite Washington restaurant? Range. Austria, the United Arab Emirates, Israel, and Office using the Freedom of Information Egypt were among the foreign missions that andAct Why violations need causes/ to Ambassadors their(FOI). embassies haveparking a long tradition of supporting institutions championed by the Washington community. What will you relocated there, and the resulting potpourri be kept secret is anybody’s guess, but in 2011, and the embassy be involved with in the coming year? Step Afrika!, Roots of of national styles gets mixed reactions. Critics the radio station WTOP made headlines with Development and the Smithsonian African Museum of Art. have described the Center as “Embassy its revelation that foreign diplomats owed the Acres” and “Disneyland for contemporary Top issue on yourcity agenda? $340,000 in unpaid parking fees and Strengthening Haiti’s economic withimmunity the U.S. — to enticing architecture buffs.” invoked their relations diplomatic avoidmore U.S. companies to come and do business in Haiti. Embassy events, including over 100 national paying them. @EmbassyOfHaiti

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LIFESTYLES | LUXURY TRAVEL

'9&% 7M Despite a tourism ban, recent policy changes have made it easier than ever for Americans to travel to Cuba ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY JOHN ARUNDEL

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ohn F. Kennedy’s press secretary, Pierre Salinger, once recalled that in February, 1962, months before the Cuban Missile Crisis, his boss summoned him to the Oval Office. “I really need some help,” Kennedy told him. “I need you to get your hands on 1,000 Cuban cigars.” By the next morning, Salinger had procured 1,200 Upmann Petits, JFK’s favorite. “Good,” Kennedy said before reaching for a pen to sign Proclamation 3447, an embargo that forbade all Cuban goods - including its world-famous cigars - from reaching U.S. shores. Fifty-three years later, with President Obama’s recent relaxation of the trade embargo and the easing of restrictions on American travel to Cuba, it’s suddenly a lot easier for American tourists to pick up and strike up a true Habana in Cuba. That is where I found myself in August, with five other journalists watching, as third generation tobacco farmer Luis Suarez handrolled Cohibas in Cuba’s abundantly fertile Viñales Valley. “We have some of the richest soil anywhere,” Suarez said, noting proudly that “additives are not permitted on any of the farms here.” As most everything in Cuba is owned or

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controlled by its Communist government, the country’s cultivadors de tabaco are permitted to sell 10 percent of their crops, and it was here that we purchased Cohibas and Montecristos for about $4 apiece. Under new customs rules, Americans may now carry $400 in Cuban goods back home – including $100 of those long sought-after cigars. This is a long-awaited break for Cubans, who, two weeks before our visit, converted their Interests Section in Washington into full embassy status, and then a week later watched as three former U.S. Marines, at the direction of Secretary of State John Kerry, hoisted the Stars and Stripes at the U.S. Embassy on Havana’s famed Malecon. One of the Americans present was former Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez, who had not been to Cuba since he was seven. “My trip to Havana exceeded all expectations,” Gutierrez said. “The city retains its beauty, the rich natural environment is stunning and the people are welcoming.” In March, Cuban President Raul Castro, former leader Fidel Castro’s brother, launched a Twitter account, with his first Tweets inviting Obama for a state visit. “In Cuba, change is already here,” said Potato Lopez, a former

Physics teacher who now works as a guide for Western tourists. “With the easing of travel restrictions in February, we’re seeing twice as many tourists coming from the United States.” To be sure, Cuba is still a country trapped in time, with its weathered buildings,and ’50s-era American cars still chugging down Havana’s dusty streets. While ultra-luxe beachfront hotels, new cars (the last dealership closed here in 1959), and modern conveniences still elude its grasp, Cuba is arguably one of the most culturallyrich and ruggedly charming places to visit on the planet right now. Cubans are unfailingly polite and helpful, and crime here is virtually non-existent. American tourists visiting Havana for the first time, will find a city steeped in history and Caribbean culture and enjoy a warm embrace of frozen rum drinks, cool ocean breezes and the ever-present soundtrack of jazz licks coming from bars and street corners. ATM’s, Internet and cellular service are tough to find, and credit cards are rarely accepted, so be sure to bring plenty of American dollars. We converted our U.S. curerency into

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Ernest Hemingway in Cuba

Hemingway still looms large over the Cuban literary and historical landscapes. Cubans virtually adopted the American writer in the two decades after he bought a home in 1940 in the small, working-class town of San Francisco de Paula, just south of Havana.

CUC’s (convertible pesos) on our first day after arriving from Miami on a 40-minute charter flight. In the one-room reception area at Jose Marti International Airport we were asked for for a ’70s-era customs form that curiously asked if we were carrying walkietalkies into the country and for paperwork showing why as Americans we should be allowed into Cuba. “U.S. tourism to Cuba is still technically illegal, although it still occurs,” said Tamar Lowell, CEO of Access Trips, which began guided culinary and cultural tours of Cuba last month. “So, all of our tours are operated as licensed “people to people” educational exchanges.” Piling into a ’57 Chevy station wagon (reconfigured with a new Mercedes Benz engine), we checked into our seaside villa reserved on Airbnb (which began operating here last Spring), and set out to discover culturally-rich Havana. We explored open-air art exhibits, organic city gardens and farm-to-table mercados, took salsa lessons and mojito classes and prowled the cobblestone streets of Old Havana, home to four city squares teeming with vibrant street life and color. On Havana’s streets you meet people who do their best with the status quo – the average Cuban earns $20 per month – making do while maintaining their passion and optimism.

Under socialism, Cubans have guaranteed health care and schooling and artistic freedom is encouraged - up to a point. In the old squares, we found street performers and pop-up art galleries, such as that of mixed media muralist and painter Salvador Gonzalez, who utilizes everything from bathtubs to car parts. Some of our best meals were found at paladares, or privately-owned restaurants, a concept that has allowed both average Cubans and culinary superstars to open their kitchens to tourists looking for something more palatable than the starchy fare served at government-owned eateries.  We found some of the best via “finders” hawking menus on the street and then guiding us up rickety stairs for home-cooked meals. Try eclectic modern Mediterraneanstyle cuisine at Atelier or La Fontana for spiny lobster, whole octopus and ropa de vieja (traditional Cuban pulled pork).You’ll love an old favorite like the low-key Casa de Erasmo, owned by Fidel Castro’s former chef. As a sprawling, traffic-choked city of two million people, there are few beaches in Havana worthy of a swim. The best place for a beach break is an hour to the south, at Playas de Este, where the 80-degree, crystal clear waters feel like a warm, relaxing bath. Ahh, Cuba.

MUST STAY: Havana

A more authentic – and more affordable – lodging option is stay in a Cuban home, as Airbnb recently launched in Cuba and has 1,000 listings (www. airbnb.com). Otherwise, Cuba has more than 44,000 affordably-priced hotels. A few in Havana’s five-star luxury class include the Hotel Nacional de Cuba, the Melia Habana, Hotel Mercure Sevilla Havane and Hotel Saratoga

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The heads of prized African antelope still hang on the walls. In a writer’s studio overlooking the ocean, his Corona typewriter sits idle, having produced two of his most celebrated novels, “For Whom the Bell Tolls” and “The Old Man and the Sea.” Hemingway’s sport-fishing boat “Pilar” is docked near a pool where on warm Summer nights Papa and Fidel sat by the pool, smoking Cohiba Corona Especials.

Cuba’s Cigar Country

Two hours south of Havana lies Pinar del Río, Cuba’s “cigar country,” encircled by the stunning mountains and dense forests of Viñales National Park. It is worth the drive, as this is one of the lushest, most scenic parts of Cuba. We shared the road with horse-drawn buggies and farmers herding cattle before touring a tobacco plantation and small plants where laborers produce Cuba’s finest rums. With abundant hiking, rock climbing and spelunking, the Vinales Valley has become one of Cuba’s top destinations for ecotourism. We explored a massive cave which snaked under a mountain and into a clearing, where a local farmer was giving his water buffalo a warm Summer bath.

MUST DRINK Havana Best Places for a Cocktail

Havana is swelteringly hot and sticky humid on any given day of the year, but luckily has no shortage of watering holes to cool down.

In Plaza Vieja we found a private microbrewery serving beer mojitos and a roastery serving iced coffee. The Hotel Nacional has live music on its outdoor patio most nights, as do the Hotel Riviera, La Bodegita del Medio, the roofdeck of Dos Mundos or the pool area of Parque Central. Be sure to check out La Floridita, the watering hole of Ernest Hemingway and birthplace of the daiquiri.

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LIFESTYLES | LUXURY TRAVEL

ESSENTIAL

PERU BY KEVIN CHAFFEE

Machu Picchu

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eru has it all — a mostly temperate climate and diverse geography that ranges from the Andes Mountains and Amazon River Basin to highland plains and beautiful Pacific Ocean beaches. Ideally you’ll need at least ten days to explore a satisfying selection of the Land of the Inca’s most amazing sights.That’s how long I spent there as a guest of the Ministry of Trade after flying from Washington via Miami (12 hours) to explore the colonial architecture and major museums of Lima followed by Cusco, the Sacred Valley and incredible Machu Picchu, South America’s most historic monument.You’ll definitely want to focus as much as possible on breakfast, lunch and dinner because the delicious national cuisine is among the world’s finest. Peru has some truly great hotels and it’s also safe, fun, stimulating, not too expensive and the people are friendly and kind.Who could ask for more? >>

SETTLING IN The Westin Lima Hotel’s futuristic vibe extends upwards from its sleek lobby and zen-like spa and pool to all 30 floors of spacious rooms and suites, each boasting eye-popping views of the city through walls of floor-to-ceiling windows. The famed “Heavenly Beds,” comfortable furnishings and absence of street noise are a major plus along with enormous bathrooms featuring separate showers and tubs. Service was top notch and included a staff huddle to get my cell phone working at 1 a.m. Start the day with at the breakfast buffet featuring an amazing selection of gluten-free items. From $225. (Calle

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Las Begonias, 450, San Isidro, 51-(1)-201-5000. www.starwoodhotels.com). EXPLORING LIMA Most of the capital’s colonial-era monuments and churches are in the El Centro district near the Plaza de Armas, a vast square that has served as the city center since 1535. Start at the Palacio de Gobierno, the neo-baroque presidential palace where a spectacularly choreographed changing of the guard takes place at noon. Nearby attractions include the Iglesia de San Pedro, noted for its many beautiful altars and hand-painted tiles, the Convento de San Francisco (whose catacombs contain the bones of 75,000 people) and the Plaza San Martin, dominated by a massive statue of Simon Bolivar. Reserve in advance to visit the art- and antique-filled Casa Solariega de Aliaga, where the Aliga family has resided since 1536. (Jiron de la Union 224, casadealiaga.com). Museums are worth a visit, especially the Museo Pedro de Osma (Av. Pedro de Osma 423), a 19th-century mansion with impressive paintings and silver, and the Museo Larco (Av. Bolivar 1515), which boasts the world’s largest private collection of pre-Columbian art as well as the famous Sala Erotica, proof positive that ancient Peru’s inhabitants were no prudes. DINING HOTSPOTS Virgilio Martinez, who trained at Lutèce in Paris, offers wondrous “feasts for the eyes as well as the stomach” on each and every plate at Central Restaurante. The eight and 18-course menus

celebrate native ingredients sourced from the sea, mountains, jungle and desert and might include airampo (a rare cactus) and cushiro (a caviar-like bacteria) along with suckling pig or kid stewed overnight. $35-$120 per person. (Calle Santa Isabella 376, Miraflores, centralrestaurante.com.pe). Maido is where you’ll want to try chef Mitsuharu Tsumura’s inventive Japanese-Peruvian fusion cuisine: sashimi and nigiri-style sushi with sauces featuring Amazonian ingredients followed by whimsical chocolate seaweed or rice strawberry cream for dessert. $35-$70. (Calle San Scallops, lettuce and Martin 399, Miraflores, granadilla at Central maido.pe.) CUSCO Cusco is a breathtaking (literally) 10,825 feet above sea level and requires advanced care to visit properly. Drink the local coca tea and take it easy the first day and you’ll be ready to explore the capital of the old Inca empire at a steady pace. After checking in at the exquisite, art-filled Hotel Palacio del Inka, which offers comfortable and quiet rooms but is close to the action (from $230, libertador.com.pe), you’ll want to stroll to the grand colonial era Plaza de Armas to see the mammoth Catedral replete with Baroque carvings, gold and silver altars and giant oil paintings (don’t miss the extraordinary “Last Supper” by an indigenous artist who had the temerity to depict

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Changing of the Guard at the Presidential Palace

the conqueror Pizzaro as Judas). Major Tip: If you dine at MAP Cafe ($50, Plazoleta Nazarenas 231) you’ll savor top notch nouvelle Peruvian cuisine and also get to tour the extraordinary Museo de Arte Precolumbino, which is just upstairs and closes at 10 p.m. Excursions to the Sacred Valley of the Inca are an absolute must. Hire a driver to see the unusual ruins at Moray where enormous circular terraced depressions were used by the agriculturally savvy Incas to study the effects of 12 microclimates on 3,000 species of various crops. Take time on the way to see the salt evaporation ponds at Maras, in continuous use since Inca times. Individual families tend each of the 5,000 plots and you can buy excellent salt and salt-based cosmetic products at the nearby gift shop. LOST CITY OF THE INCAS The Incas built Machu Picchu to be close to the gods and modern visitors will likely share those mystical sentiments upon first sight of the incredible mid-15th-century stone citadel high atop a mountain ridge overlooking the Sacred Valley. You’ll need plenty of stamina to climb the hundreds of ancient steps connecting the ruins of South America’s premier archeological site. Be sure to buy a guidebook because there are no directions or signs to explain what you are seeing as you explore the remains of 200 buildings, including three primary treasures: the Temple of the Sun, a marvel of Inca stonework; the Room of the Three Windows (hewn from a

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The Plaza de Armas at Cusco

singe rock); and the Intihuatana, or “Hitching Post of the Sun,” a stone column that was the object of pagan worship. Be sure to climb to the upper part of the ruins before you start exploring. Be sure to arrive as early in the morning as you can because the sun gets very hot. After all the hiking you’ll have time to enjoy a late lunch and shopping in the town of Aguas Calientes before heading back to Cusco or exploring the Inca Trail.

AMBASSADOR OF PERU Luis Miguel Castilla’s Favorite Places The first thing I do when I return to Lima is to visit the almost hidden “secret” restaurants offering highly original cuisine. At Grimanesa Vargas in Miraflores, I’ll order some authentic anticuchos (beef kebabs). I know that Salon Capon, a restaurant known as a chifa, will always have the best mix of both Peruvian and Chinese cuisines.

Westin Lima Hotel lobby

I also set aside time to visit some museums, which I never finish exploring completely. The recently renovated Museum of Art of Lima’s collection includes valuable works of contemporary art. Mario Testino’s museum, MATE, specializing in contemporary photography, is another must-see. If I have some extra time I like to travel to the National Reserve of Paracas, near to Lima, a sandy, family-friendly beach where you can observe sea lions, flamingos and other birds. One of my favorite hotels on the Bay of Paracas is La Hacienda Bahia Paracas. For my morning run I’ll go to the Costa Verde, a circuit of beaches bordering the Pacific Ocean.

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Pre-Columbian treasures at Lima’s Museo Larco

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LIFESTYLES

SILK JUMPSUITS LEATHER BELL BOTTOMS AND FUR COATS ARE CLOSET STAPLES FOR THE ULTIMATE S PARTY GIRL PHOTOGRAPHY KATE WARREN< ASSISTED BY KEITH LANE< FOR GOKATESHOOT - WWW GOKATESHOOT COM WARDROBE WILL LAWRY< ASSISTED BY JOHN SALAS< FOR CAPITAL IMAGE - CAPITALIMAGE@LIVE COM HAIR AND MAKEUP CAROLA MYERS< ASSISTED BY SHIRLEY ZUNIGA< FOR CM ARTIST GROUP - WWW CAROLAMYERS COM MODEL FIG O’REILLY AT T H E ARTIST AGENCY MANAGING EDITOR LAURA WAINMAN EDITORIAL ASSISTANT CATHERINE TRIFILETTI PHOTOGRAPHED ON LOCATION AT THE ITALIAN EMBASSY

DIANE VON FURSTENBERG “Margot” silk-trimmed jumpsuit ($598) and SAINT LAURENT “Cassandre” monogram metallic leather clutch ($1,290), Saks Fifth Avenue, 5555 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase, MD 20815, 301 657-9000; TIFFANY & CO. Atlas bangle in sterling silver ($975), Tiffany T square bracelet in 18k gold ($5,200) and Atlas hinged bangle in 18k rose gold with diamonds ($6,500), 8045 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA 22182, 703-893-7700; shoes, photograher’s own

ELIZABETH AND JAMES “Hart” fur jacket ($1,995), ALEXANDER MCQUEEN wide indent belt ($895) and ALEXANDER MCQUEEN de manta python clutch ($1,895), Saks Fifth Avenue, 5555 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase, MD 20815, 301 657-9000; TIFFANY & CO. Atlas bangle in 18k roise gold ($4,500), Atlas hinged bangle in 18k gold ($6,800), Atlas bangle in sterling silver ($975) and Elsa Peretti cabochon ring in 18k gold with green jade ($2,800), 8045 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA 22182, 703-8937700; shoe’s photographer’s own.

ELIE TAHARI “Carli� faux fur bolero ($348) and 3.1 PHILLIP LIM broken line embroidered skirt ($495), Saks Fifth Avenue, 5555 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase, MD 20815, 301 657-9000; TIFFANY & CO Atlas round pendant in 18k rose gold ($3,100), Schlumberger circle rope necklace in 18k gold ($15,500) combined with two circle rope bracelets in 18 gold ($8,200 each) and Elsa Peretti round bottle pendant in 18k gold ($3,900), 8045 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA 22182, 703-893-7700.

3.1 PHILLIP LIM ladder-embroidered silk shirt ($425), Saks Fifth Avenue, 5555 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase, MD 20815, 301 657-9000; TIFFANY & CO. Atlas round pendant in 18k rose gold ($3,100) and Schlumberger circle rope necklace in 18k gold ($15,500), 8045 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA 22182, 703893-7700; boy shorts, stylist’s own.

THE ROW “Haki” wrap-front top ($2,190) and ALICE AND OLIVIA leather bellbottom pants ($998), Saks Fifth Avenue, 5555 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase, MD 20815, 301 657-9000; TIFFANY & CO. Tiffany T square bracelet in 18k gold ($5,200), Atlas bangle in 18k rose gold ($4,500), Atlas hinged bangle in 18k gold ($6,800), Atlas bangle in sterling silver ($975) and Atlas hinged bangle in 18k rose gold with diamonds ($6,500), 8045 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA 22182, 703-893-7700; shoe’s photographer’s own.

STELLA MCCARTNEY “Ely” gathered waist dress ($3,100), Saks Fifth Avenue, 5555 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase, MD 20815, 301 657-9000; TIFFANY & CO. Schlumberger circle rope bracelet in 18k gold ($8,200) and Elsa Peretti cabochon ring in 18k gold with green jade ($2,800), 8045 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA 22182, 703-893-7700; shoe’s photographer’s own.

LIFESTYLES | TREND REPORT

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN Fil coupe silkblend faille jacket ($7,460); saksfifthavenue.com

OSCAR DE LA RENTA Silk tie-neck lace-stripe blouse ($2,190); neimanmarcus.com ALBERTA FERRETTI Crepe, brocade mid-rise pants ($1,190); albertaferretti.com

DRIES VAN NOTEN Black top ($427); yoox.com

GIVENCHY Embellished bow velvet minaudière ($4,350); saksfifthavenue.com

:-'836-%2 +38,-' Delicate lace, plush velvet, embroidered capes, floorsweeping gowns and high necklines suggest the moody romance of 19th century style BY ERICA MOODY

ERDEM Angela printed silk-organza cape ($1,785); erdem.com

ALEXIS BITTAR Crystal mosaic corseted cuff bracelet ($225); alexisbittar.com

MONICA RICH KOSANN Grey moonstone locket ($24,000); liljenquistbeckstead.com

VALENTINO Tiered point d’esprit, lace and tulle mini dress ($8,990); shopstyle.com

ALEXIS BITTAR 1880s Victorian mourning ring with pearls ($1,200); alexisbittar.com ZIMMERMAN Arcadia lace playsuit ($630); zinnerman.com

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ZIMMERMAN Rhythm moulded dress ($2,795); zimmerman.com

MARC JACOBS Isabella lace moulded dress ($898); marcjacobs.com

BALENCIAGA Lace ankle boots ($1,185); saksfifthavenue.com

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LIFESTYLES | GLITTERATI TIFFANY & CO. Diamond and emerald brooch (price upon request); Tiffany & Co., Fairfax Square, 703-893-7700

ALEXIS BITTAR Portrait cameo, labradorite and custom crystal plastron necklace with raven feather tassels ($696); alexisbittar.com ALEXIS BITTAR Portrait Cameo and Raven Feather Chandelier Earrings ($475); alexisbittar.com

DIOR Mer earrings (price upon request); dior.com

DIOR ‘Incroyables et merveilleuses’ fleur pendant (price upon request); dior.com

JORGE ADELER 18kt White Gold, Keshi Pearl and Diamond Necklace ($14,680); jorgeadeler.com

&%6359) &-.39<

The devil is in the details and these ornate embellishments are all the rage on everything from classic brooches to geometric rings.

TIFFANY &CO. Enchant scroll earrings with yellow and white diamonds, sapphires and tsavorites in platinum and 18kt gold ($42,000); Tiffany & Co., Fairfax Square, 703-893-7700

B Y L A U R A WA I N M A N

DIOR yellow gold, diamond, fancy yellow diamond and emerald ring (price upon request); dior.com

JORGE ADELER 18kt Red Gold, Exotic Pearl and Diamond Ring ($9,840); jorgeadeler.com

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

JOHN HARDY cobra semi-precious multi-stone, diamond and sterling silver ring ($1,300); saksfifthavenue.com

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JORGE ADELER 18kt Yellow Gold, Exotic Pearl and Diamond Earrings ($9,296); jorgeadeler.com

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LIFESTYLES | DINE AND DISH

Post Game:

DISHING WITH THE CAPITALS The Capitals’ young bucks, right wing Tom Wilson and center Michael Latta, spill about their bromance, what it’s like to be the only single guys and how they plan to bring the Stanley Cup to Washington B Y L A U R A WA I N M A N

OPENER GAME THIS YEAR. WHAT IS hen you sit down for THE RELATIONSHIP LIKE WITHIN THE drinks in Ballston WASHINGTON ATHLETE COMMUNITY? with 21-year-old Tom TW: I think there’s a quiet respect. Wilson and 24-year-old Michael The fans kind of bring everybody Latta and they argue over who is together.You meet people who are the better ping-pong player and just big D.C. fans all around and tease one another about their they are talking about the Skins social media habits, it can be easy or the Wizards and Nats. It’s cool to forget they aren’t just your for the athletes to kind of support average 20-something roommates. each other. But these days the Washington ML: We do different community Capitals’ resident physical forwards events together too. We did a can’t even post an Instagram photo Wounded Warriors event with the of themselves lying on the couch basketball players a couple years watching TV without getting 200 ago and that was cool to bounce comments about their lifestyle or questions off them and see what appearance. The duo have one of Tom Wilson, Laura Wainman and Michael Latta talk hockey over a dinner of shared their lives are like. the most talked about friendships small plates at Kapnos Taverna. (Photo by Tony Powell) (seriously, there’s even a Tumblr fan page for the Latta-Wilson bromance) in the ML: I needed someone to cook for me every HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE SUPPORT THE CAPS AND THE SPORT OF HOCKEY GET IN WASHINGTON? city and with personalities as large as theirs, it’s night. not hard to see why. Over Greek small plates TW: Nah, we’re pretty good at sharing ML: I came from a different organization and I had no idea how loud the fans would be at Kapnos Taverna, the guys dished on who everything. It’s just nice having a roommate. loves Justin Bieber, team pickups and trades ML: I didn’t want to live alone. We don’t have here. When we were at the Redskins game and how they are moving past a disappointing family around or girlfriends or whatever. It’s this weekend, people were stopping us and good to have someone to hang out with. wishing us good luck this season and it was playoff run. TW: It can be a long year if you don’t have a awesome. TW: I grew up in a hockey crazy town, SINCE THE AIRING OF EPIX’S “ROAD TO THE NHL roommate and you’re living alone. Toronto, and the fans are all out for the WINTER CLASSIC” THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF TALK ABOUT YOUR “BROMANCE.” WHAT LED TO YOUR WHAT’S THE TEAM DYNAMIC LIKE? DO YOU SPEND A hockey. Sometimes in hockey crazy towns it LOT OF TIME TOGETHER? can be overwhelming, but in D.C. they love BOND? Tom Wilson: When we both came to the team ML: It’s kind of different because most guys their Caps but they are respectful and they we were the young crew, there weren’t a lot of have families and stuff. So if we have off days don’t cross that line. other young guys. they want to spend it with their kids. Michael Latta: We were forced to hang out TW: On the road we’ll hang out. We get up, IF YOU COULD ACCOMPLISH ONE THING BEFORE YOU together. go to practice and then we have nothing to do LEAVE WASHINGTON WHAT WOULD IT BE? TW: Latts was my only choice so we made it the rest of the day whereas the rest of the team TW: We’ve gotta win the Stanley Cup. work. has to go take care of their kids or pick them ML: It’s been our dream since we were five ML: We won the lottery there. year olds playing hockey in the driveway and up from school. ML: I just take care of Willy. now we’ve made it here, and have a team that WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO BE ROOMMATES? YOU GUYS WENT TO THE REDSKINS SEASON could actually do it.

W

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WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO BRING THE CUP TO WASHINGTON? ML: Luck. TW: Winning the last game. What some fans don’t understand, is it’s so tough to get that final win in playoff hockey. That’s the kind of thing we probably need to do a little better, to close them out when we can because we had three chances to do it last year. WHAT WERE THE TAKEAWAYS FROM THE 2014-2015 SEASON? TW: The difference between our first and second year in how much our team played as a team, together and how much we bought into the system, it helped a ton. ML: Our locker room is really good. There’s no one outcast. That goes a long way in hockey. WHAT IS THE LOCKER ROOM VIBE RIGHT NOW? TW: We felt like we left something on the table last year, so it’s exciting to get back. No one wanted to leave last year and everyone was kind of bummed. But now we’re back. LET’S TALK ABOUT THE NEW CAPITAL, T.J. OSHIE. HIS PICKUP IS BEING TOUTED AS ONE OF THE BIGGEST MOVES IN THE LEAGUE RIGHT NOW. ML: It was huge. He is one of the best players in the league and I think our top six is really legit now We had a good top six last year but we didn’t have an elite top six. TW: You hear nothing but good things from everyone throughout the hockey world. Everyone I talk to is like “oh you got that Oshie? He’s a great dude you’re going to love him.” That’s exciting. THE CAPITALS HAVE HAD A CONSISTENT PRESENCE IN THE PLAYOFFS IN THE LAST DECADE, DESPITE NOT BEING ABLE TO BRING HOME A CHAMPIONSHIP. WHAT DO YOU ATTRIBUTE THAT TO? TW: Playoff hockey is such a unique thing, where every single thing matters.You have to be so dialed in on everything If you miss one pass or you don’t block one shot… ML: One mess up or one bad bounce off

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Michael Latta (Photo by Washington Capitals Photography)

the boards or one bad line change, so many little things go into the dynamic of the game. I’m really excited about this year though. I think we are better on paper than we were last year. WHAT HAVE BEEN THE BIGGEST CHANGES UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF COACH TROTZ? ML: We played more as a team. We obviously brought in some new players, but we are just working hard and sacrificing for one another. TW: Everyone knows their role and what

“[The Stanley Cup] has been our dream since we were five year olds playing hockey in the driveway and now we have a team that could actually do it” they need to do. If you mess up you know it, but he doesn’t kill you.You know where you stand with him. TOM, THERE’S BEEN SOME DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS YEAR BEING A TRANSITION YEAR FOR YOU AND A TIME FOR YOU TO TAKE ON MORE RESPONSIBILITY. TW: It has gotta be expected, it’s my third year in the league. Obviously, I had that physical role in the league, but I want to be a bigger part of the team now. Whatever role I get I’ll

| O C T O B E R | washingtonlife.com

Tom Wilson (Photo by Washington Capitals Photography)

be happy with but I want to move up. LIGHTNING ROUND: BEST NIGHT OUT IN WASHINGTON? ML: After the Winter Classic game, all of our friends and families were in town and we all went out. That’s all I’m saying. TW: Team parties are the real fun nights because you don’t get to see a lot of the older guys out for dinner because they have their families so when we are all together it’s fun. LAST MOVIE YOU SAW? TW: “Titanic.” ML: That’s him, not me. TW: Nah, it was “Straight Outta Compton.”

Latts had already seen it and he still took me, it’s that good. MOST PLAYED SONG ON YOUR IPOD? TW: J. Biebs “What do you Mean?” ML: T Swift gets a lot of airtime too. WHO WOULD YOU WANT TO PLAY YOU IN A MOVIE? TW: I can answer for you, you’ve got the biggest man crush in the world. Brad Pitt. ML: No, Markie Mark for sure. TW: The guy who played Tim Riggins for me. ML: The guy’s never done one movie since “Friday Night Lights.” TW: Well, he nailed that role so if he can nail my role like he did Riggins then that would be a good choice.

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WASHINGTON S O C I A L D I A R Y around town� nofas gala� Over the moon� n street village’s empowerment luncheon and more!

Adam Wright and Pamela Brown at the Cafritz’s “Welcome Back from Summer� party. (Photo by Tony Powell)

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AROUND TOWN

Ultimate Achiever Bonnie McElveen-Hunter has it all: success in the worlds of business, diplomacy and philanthropy plus a strong and loving family BY DONNA SHOR

T

he scene might be any of Washington’s most glitteringly important charity soirées. Suddenly, a ripple of merriment breaks out across the room. Hearing the band strike up an especially bouncy tune, a glamorously gowned woman links arms with her neighbors. Soon the whole table is swaying from side to side, following her lead. Drawn by the laughter, guests at other tables start swaying, too; soon the ice is broken. A small thing perhaps, but a very typical moment for Mary Bonneau McElveen-Hunter, known to all as “Bonnie.” She has always been a leader. McElveen-Hunter has headed the American Red Cross for the past 11 years — the first time in the organization’s 140-year history that a woman holds the chairman’s post overseeing 32,000 employees and more than 400,000 volunteers. They soldier on through fire and f lood, earthquakes and tsunamis, disasters created by nature and mankind alike, while striving to correct long-standing problems and redress old wrongs. McElveen-Hunter previously served as U.S. ambassador to Finland from 2001 to 2003, garnering the respect of the Finnish people for her high energy and creativity. While there she organized the Helsinki Women’s Business Leaders Summit, a model successfully replicated in other lands. Just for fun, she arranged a Wild West event for bandana-wearing Finnish cowboys and cowgirls who live 5,000 miles away from the

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Bonnie McElveen-Hunter with her mother Madeline McElveen and sister, Tweed McElveen-Bogache (Photo by Tony Powell)

Lone Star State. A devout Presbyterian who regularly tithes to her church, McElveen-Hunter both contributes and raises enormous sums for good causes. “Bonnie is magic,” Justice Sandra Day O’Connor says of her friend’s philanthropic prowess. McElveen-Hunter had role model parents who instilled in her a strong sense of duty. Her late father, Lt. Col. John Thomas McElveen, f lew 51 missions in the Korean War and was one of seven men who piloted UF-2’s over Soviet territory during the Cold War. Her mother Madeleine, who died in January, was a lively and endearing woman who instilled good rules to live by in her children — including being first on the dance f loor. Madeleine McElveen’s pithy “Pearls of

Wisdom” were meant to keep her family firmly tethered to reality. They included “mediocrity is not an option” and “a peacock today, a feather duster tomorrow,” her daughter recalls. McElveen-Hunter got an early start in the business world after she doggedly completed four years of college in just three. Hired by a communications company, she soon found that only men made money there because women weren’t permitted to make commission sales. When she asked to sell and was promptly refused, she went out on her lunch hour and brought back a sale they had been trying in vain to land. Within two years she owned the company, which eventually transformed into Pace Communications, the nation’s largest custom printing firm. It has continued to grow and now boasts a gilt-edged client roster that reads like a litany of Fortune 500 names. McElveen-Hunter shares homes with her husband and son in Georgetown, Palm Beach and Greensboro, N.C. (where her corporate headquarters are located). Her son, Bynum Hunter Jr., a graduate of Williams College and Harvard Business School, has the easy charm of both parents. His father, Bynum M. Hunter, is a laidback attorney with a sense of humor who has been married three times. His easygoing relationship with Bonnie is such that when they were wed she printed up bumper stickers that said “Honk if you were married to Bynum.”

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Jane and Calvin Cafritz

WL EXCLUSIVE

WELCOME BACK FROM SUMMER PARTY

Jonathan Silver and Melissa Moss

Calvin and Jane Cafritz Residence | PHOTOS BY TONY POWELL BACK IN THE SWING: Oh-so-social folk flocking back to a stillsweltering capital after “Summer Recess” in Martha’s Vineyard, Newport or the Hamptons always have a tribal gathering of sorts to look forward to right around Labor Day. Already an established tradition of major note, Calvin and Jane Cafritz’s annual “Welcome Back from Summer” fête is truly a see-and-be-seen affair featuring a massive marquee, a lavish cocktail buffet, impressive performances by opera singers from the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artists Program and dancing that continues — if it’s not too hot — until well after the last Supreme Court justice has departed.

Domingo-Cafritz Young Artists Mary Kennedy and Justice Anthony M. Kennedy

VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS AT WWW WASHINGTONLIFE COM

Kathleen Kennedy Townsend and Susan Eisenhower

Parita Selfridge and Chief of Protocol Peter Selfridge

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Odile and Gavin Wilson

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Catherine and Wayne Reynolds with Grace Bender

Anais and Renault de Viel Castel

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Donna Richter, Lorrie Berkowitz, Susan Weiss and Stuart Allen

Debbi Jarvis and Jennifer Holliday wl sp o ns o red

N Street Village Empowerment Luncheon

Schroeder Stribling and D.C. Councilmember Jack Evans

The Mayflower Renaissance | PHOTOS BY JENNY LEHMAN THE POWER OF HOPE: Approximately 325 guests gathered at N Street Village’s Empowerment Luncheon to raise more than $125,000 to support homeless and low-income women in Washington. Mayor Muriel Bowser was the keynote speaker and original “Dreamgirl” Jennifer Holliday sang “And I’m Telling You” and “I Shall Not Walk Alone” with the N Street Ambassadors of Praise. Village program alumna, Gisele Clark, shared her powerful story of moving from homelessness and addiction to 20 months of sobriety, stable housing and attending school while committing her life to helping others engaged in similar struggles. View all the photos at www.washingtonlife.com

Larry Crenshaw, Dennis Carew and William Ebbs

Ty Hreben, Ace Werner, Jacqueline Michel, Peter Shields, Wes Combs and Monica Scott

(L-R, front row) Kah Walla, Karla Ruiz Cofiño, President Bill Clinton, Yin Myo Su, Amira Yahyaoui and Samar Minallah Khan; (L-R, back row) Sally Field, Susan Ann Davis, Kailash Satyarthi, Melanne Verveer, Sara Blakely, Diane von Furstenberg, Bill Burns, Donna Langley, Alyse Nelson, Monica Mishra and V. Sue Molina

Tracey Webster, Bobbie Greene McCarthy and Dr. Rosita Van Coevorden

wl sp o ns o red

Vital voices Global Leadership Awards Kennedy Center| PHOTOS courtesy vital voices Celebrating Visionary Women: A group of the world’s most esteemed changemakers gathered in one room for the 14th annual Global Leadership Awards. The event honored five extraordinary women: political leader Kah Walla of Cameroon, entrepreneur Yin Myo Su of Myanmar, documentary filmmaker Samar Minallah Khan of Pakistan, activist Amira Yahyaoui of Tunisia and entrepreneur Karla Ruiz Cofiño of Guatemala. Each innovator presented her creative solution to various global challenges after former President Bill Clinton delivered remarks. “The women we celebrate tonight are true visionaries, and we are inspired by their work to call on every global citizen to share their ideas for building a brighter, safer, more inclusive future” said Alyse Nelson, CEO of Vital Voices.

Alexa Verveer and Evan Bianchi, i

View all the photos at www.washingtonlife.com

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| o c to b e r

2015

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Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye

Qatar Amb. Mohammed Jaham Al-Kuwari

Sandy and Sam Donaldson WL SPONSORED

NATIONAL ORGANIZATION ON FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME GALA Embassy of France | PHOTOS BY TONY POWELL

Hal and Sam Morgan

William Kennedy Smith and Anne Smith Denise Desiberio, Teak Wilson, Lauren Wilson and Chelsea Wilson

Peter Barrett, Kristein Bodenstedt and Sam Zakhari

FOR THE BABIES: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is not a cause for celebration, but the $240,000 raised at the annual NOFAS International Gala certainly was. More than 225 guests, including over 25 individuals and family members personally affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), were there to hear the touching story of 12-year-old Nicholas Davis-Magliozzi, who is living with FASD. He inspired the audience with remarks about overcoming his disabilities and earning a place in the gifted and talented program at his middle school. Dr. William Kennedy Smith was honored with the group’s Excellence Award for his contributions to its mission. Qatari Amb. Mohammed Jaham Al-Kuwari generously donated a dinner for 20 at his embassy and a private tour of CityCenter VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS AT WWW WASHINGTONLIFE COM

Fariba and Reza Jahanbani

Laurie and Len Lipton

Joe Reeder and Kate Boyce

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Juliana Laurello and Scott Landsman

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Tom Donaldson, Jennifer Donaldson and Robert Donaldson

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OVER THE MOON

Chukkers & Toppers The Horsey Set gathers for polo featuring the nation’s top women players BY VICKY MOON

Maureen Orth Jacqueline Mars (Photo by Douglas Lees)

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t was all about the women wearing boots and white jeans on the polo field and intriguing hats on the sidelines at the National Sporting Library & Museum’s Benefit Polo Match and Brunch. The ladies gathered on a sparkling September Sunday against a backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains at the Virginia International Polo Club in Upperville. It’s part of the Brennan family’s historic Llangollen Farm, once owned by the legendary horsewoman/hostess Liz Whitney Tippett. The “Super Match” of top women players on the Northern Trust team included Maureen Brennan and Sunny Hale (rated at 9 goals, 10 is the best), whose Northern Trust team defeated the Sporting Library Team 6-5 in a four-chukker contest. Co-chairmen Danielle and Ron Bradley greeted guests under a large white marquee and entertained Ambassador Jean Louis Wolzfeld of Luxembourg. Donald Brennan hosted actor Robert Duvall and his wife

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Sunny Hale, Northern Trust team (Photo: Douglas Lees)

Luciana Pedraza. Writer Maureen Orth, a special correspondent for Vanity Fair magazine based in Washington, appeared in a smart straw hat with Ann Calder and Bunny Muir. Interior decorator Barry Dixon held court with a gaggle of friends, sharing news of his latest fabric designs. Inspired by living in an area of rolling hills over in Warrenton, “Elway Hall Toile” fabric evokes the traditions of fox hunting through vignettes of galloping thoroughbreds, riders in their habits and galumphing hounds. Named for Dixon’s estate and made by Vervain, the native palette of the glazed chintz comes in five colors: Blueberry, Daybreak, Locust, Mahogany on Celadon and Pond Ripple. Then there were the locals: Michelle and Tim Brookshire, Jacqueline Ohrstrom, Dielle Fleischmann, Richard Viets, Mimi Abel-Smith, jewelry designer Elizabeth Locke with husband John Staelin and Mary Lou and Charlie Seilheimer. Jacqueline Mars was resplendent in pink with a white

Maureen Orth (Photo by Vicky Moon)

topper. (It should also be noted that the special Polo M&Ms favors were provided by Mars Inc.) For those eager to hop out of the social swirl, here’s some real estate news. In 1900, a train line ran from Georgetown to Bluemont, Va. carrying folks from Washington south for the weekend. Inns and B&Bs dotted the mountain road not far from Llangollen, above Bluemont. The area was so popular that many built second homes to seek the calm and quiet of the mountain. One such place was “Solitude,” a rambling stone house built as a hunting lodge for Assistant Attorney General James Clark McReynolds, who was later appointed to the Supreme Court by Woodrow Wilson. The impressive stone and frame residence has five fireplaces, massive beamed ceilings and smooth carved log handrails all the way to the third floor. The rambling dwelling, offered by Evers & Co for $825,000, sits on 14 acres with all the privacy its name suggests.

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Glenn Youngkin with Steve and Jean Case, Mark Ein and Antonio Alves

Brendan Pinto and Heather Reese

Egyptian Amb. Mohamed Tawfik

HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL LEADERSHIP GALA

Jessica Watson and Jade Floyd

Ritz-Carlton Washington | PHOTOS BY TONY POWELL

John and Margaret Dalton

IVY LEAGUE: Harvard Business School alumni, including ambassadors, business executives and government officials, helped toast the honorees at the Harvard Business School Club of Washington’s first annual Leadership Gala. Jean Case, CEO of the Case Foundation received the group’s Lifetime Achievement Award and Carlyle Group President and CEO Glenn Youngkin was presented the Alumni Achievement Award. Other notable alums in attendance included Washington Kastles owner Mark Ein and former Navy Secretary John Dalton. VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS AT WWW WASHINGTONLIFE COM

Lauren Smith, Angela Chan and Orville Bailey

Andy Haith, Suzanne Youngkin and Anna Youngkin Bob Monahan

Umbereen Ahmed

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Maha Kaddoura and Dr. Doaa Taha

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Jillian Katcher, Bill Marriott and Doug Holladay

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| PERFECT PITCH

DIVERSE FLAIR BY PAT R I C K D. M C C OY

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ocal playwright Karen Zacarías, 46, talks about the world premiere of her play “Destiny of Desire” while demystifying stereotypes in the theater and giving voice to the Latin American community.

WASHINGTON LIFE: You’re no stranger to the Washington theater scene. How did you come to Arena Stage? KAREN ZACARÍAS I had done some work in the education department there and they knew about my plays. Director Molly Smith approached me about doing a commission that turned out to be the play “Legacy of Light” that she directed in 2010. Then I was invited to be the first playwright in residence at Arena … that’s how I became part of the Arena Stage family. WL: What is the inspiration behind your latest work, “Destiny of Desire?” KZ One of the most popular forms of storytelling in Latin America is the telenovela, which is kind of like a soap opera, but is actually a mini-series because it has a beginning, middle and end. They have huge cultural impact in their countries and are some of the biggest cultural exports that Latin America has. A lot of times, people see a play or drama written by a Latino or Latina playwright and they will say “that sounded like a telenovela,” but they are wrong. So, I decided that I would both celebrate and educate by writing the best telenovela, adding music and having what would happen in a year happen in two hours on stage. It’s pretty juicy. WL: Although the cast is all Latino, could you speak a bit about the cross-cultural and racially transcendent appeal of this work? KZ First of all, it’s a Latino cast, but drama, betrayal, love and yearning are all universal feelings. I think there is a moment in everybody’s life, no matter what walk of life you come from, what color, class or gender you may be, where it feels like a soap opera. I think what people will start to realize is that

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there has been a very narrow depiction of what Latino means in the news, TV or movies, usually seen in small roles and characters. Seeing these full characters in all their glory is going to be fun. WL: What will be unique about this production’s staging? KZ The set is more minimal because it is play that is going to evoke a lot of imagination and there are a lot of poetic gestures. It is a play that moves very quickly so it has a very elegant and eloquent aesthetic. It’s not about mechanical but about the talent of the people working on stage.

Arena Stage’s inaugural resident playwright Karen Zacarías (Photo courtesy Arena Stage)

WL: Of all the subjects that get touched upon in this particular drama, which is the most controversial? KZ The biggest one is what happens when women take destiny into their own hands, and what kind of world that creates. What happens at one point is that there are two plays going on at the same time. The play itself starts finding its destiny under the leadership of the women in the play. Comedy allows you sometimes to go to places that are darker, more provocative and controversial allowing us to engage in conversation on changing dialogue about the role of women. WL: How do you see this play as a “bridge” in the effort to demystify racial stereotypes in the theater? KZ It is historic. I don’t think Arena Stage has put an allLatino-cast play on for ten years.

It is a huge statement for the Women’s Voices Theatre Festival; I am the only Latina playwright and this is the only all- Latino cast during the entire festival. My play, as entertaining as it is, is also political. I am unapologetically taking the telenovela, something that is very Latin American, and celebrating it instead of being ashamed of it.

Performances of Destiny of Desire continue at Arena Stage through October 18.

Elia Saldaña and Esperanza America in “Destiny of Desire.” (Photo by Tony Powell)

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PARTIES PARTIES PARTIES

Baseball, cocktails, tea and diplomacy VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS AT WWW WASHINGTONLIFE COM!

AFTERNOON TEA HONORING WOMEN OF THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS COOPERSMITH RESIDENCE (Photos by Tony Powell) ELLE magazine editor-in-chief Robbie Myers was a special guest at an a>ernoon tea hosted by Esther Coopersmith at her Kalorama residence. This year’s Ambassadors Ball chairman, Capricia Marshall, organized the event to honor the women of the diplomatic corps. 6. Niger Amb. Hassana Alidou and Cameroon Amb. Joseph Foe-Antangana 7. Capricia Marshall and Robbie Myers

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8. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz

RYAN ZIMMERMAN’S ‘A NIGHT AT THE PARK’ NATIONALS PARK (Photos by Tony Powell)

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Washington Nationals star Ryan Zimmerman hosted an intimate event at Nats Park to benefit the zIMS Foundation, dedicated to treating and curing multiple sclerosis. The event is now in its 6th year. Many of his teammates showed up for dinner, cocktails and a special performance to close out the night from double platinum-selling recording artist Kip Moore. 1. Kip Moore and Ryan Zimmerman 2. Cheryl and Keith Zimmerman

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ARBORETUM DINNER UNDER THE STARS NATIONAL ARBORETUM (Photos by Vithaya Phongsavan)

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4 COCKTAILS FOR A CAUSE THE GEORGE TOWN CLUB (Photos by Tony Powell) Innocents at Risk, an organization founded by Deborah Sigmund that works to protect women and children from human trafficking, held a fundraiser at the George Town Club. Guests celebrated summer with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a silent auction.

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This annual dinner in the Grand Meadow of the U.S. National Arboretum saluted the state of South Carolina (a different state is honored each year) and celebrated the Arboretum’s work on 446 acres of green space in Northeast Washington. Guests, including new arboretum director Richard Olsen, took tram tours of the gardens during cocktail hour before dining on shrimp and grits, pulled barbeque chicken sandwiches and peach cobbler. 9. Richard Olsen, Erin Olsen, Melissa Pflieger, Pamela Raymont-Simpson, Liz Dugan and Ann Thompson

3. Andrea Roane and Deborah Sigmund 4. Christine Warnke

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5. Debra Decko, Richard Desonier and Monique Summers-Mally

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RECEPTION HONORING EMBASSY SOCIAL SECRETARIES MERIDIAN HOUSE (Photos by Jay Snap) Representatives from more than 25 foreign embassies gathered at Meridian House to honor the city’s embassy social secretaries and their valuable role in promoting diplomacy for their countries. Stuart Holliday, president and CEO of Meridian International, gave welcoming remarks to guests, including former White House social secretary Ann Stock (1993-1997) and current White House social secretary Deesha Dyer. Dyer spoke of her intention to keep the White House open and accessible not only to all Americans, but to the world 10. Ann Stock, Lee Sa erfield, Deesha Dyer and Stuart Holliday

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HOME LIFE Real Estate News and Open House I Inside Homes and My Washington

;MPPOSQQIR German Ambassador Peter Wittig and Huberta von Voss-Wittig invite Washington in BY VIRGINIA COYNE PHOTOGRAPHS BY TONY POWELL

HOME LIFE | INSIDE HOMES

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hen someone new moves to town, neighbors typically stop by to introduce themselves, bring a gift or host a welcome party; in the case of German Ambassador Peter Wittig, who began his tenure in Washington in April 2014 after serving as his country’s ambassador to the United Nations, it seems the neighborly tables have been turned.The charismatic Wittig and his charming journalist wife Huberta von Voss-Wittig have used their massive, architecturally striking official residence and its sprawling grounds between Foxhall and Reservoir roads to meet and greet residents of the nation’s capital. “It’s extremely important,” the ambassador says about being a part of the community. “Modern diplomacy is not only government to government. It’s people to people. So, we want to reach out to as many people as we can.” In 2015 alone, the Wittigs have hosted the Washington National Opera Ball, the Elle Women in Washington Power List reception, the Washington Ballet’s Swan Ball (which transformed their backyard into a wonderland of pink peonies and lighted trees), and the Europoean Union’s Open House which had been expected to draw 5,000 people but in fact brought close to10,000 to the residence and adjacent embassy gardens. “It was like a big sit-in. People wouldn’t leave. And there were dozens of kids in the reflecting pool,” says his wife, smiling at the thought of the event, which she called “really, really nice.”

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PREVIOUS PAGE (clockwise from top left): Huberta von Voss-Wittig plays near the reflecting pool with the family’s rescue puppy, Mikosch, adopted through K-9 Lifesavers Dog Rescue. A view of the residence, designed by architect O.M. Ungers and completed in 1994, from the gardens below. The reception hall boasts a marble fireplace and cherry wood and leather furniture. Color woodcuts on canvas from the ”Men Without Women - Parsifal” series by Markus Lüpertz encircle the room. The massive table in the formal dining room was designed to seat large groups. Paintings on the wall are by Bernard Schultze (1915-2005). THIS PAGE (clockwise from top left): A small statue of a clown by Hans Scheib graces a table in the Ladies’ Sitting Room, one of the smaller meeting rooms off the Reception Hall. Amb. Wittig says the room is his favorite in the house because he can look out onto the gardens through the windows. Bitburger and Köstritzer beer are on tap in the Berlin Bar. A neon sign welcomes visitors as they head downstairs to the Berlin Bar.

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The Wittigs also hold court over smaller gatherings of intellectuals and authors they’ve dubbed the “Berliner Salon” in the residence’s downstairs Berlin Bar, a thinkingman’s Ratskeller, where Bitburger beer is on tap. They relish hosting luminaries and regular folk alike, and though they admit their more than 19,000-squarefoot monolith of a house, designed by renowned German architect O.M. Ungers (1926-2007) and completed in 1994, is far from the coziest place they’ve ever lived, they say it affords them the opportunity to entertain on a grand scale and to rarely have to trim the guest list. “In this building anything is possible,” Mrs. Wittig says. “I like the transparency of it. I also like the light play and what it symbolizes … that Germany should be represented in America in a modern building because it shows that we are really a modern country.” Embassy literature describes the building as a synthesis of traditional and modern styles, but to the untrained eye the residence is both undeniably modern and a showcase for everything square – entrance doors, windows, the marble fireplace, the paintings by contemporary artist Markus Lüpertz, the Unger-designed furniture, even the pattern on the floors. The square orderliness of it all does not allow for personalization – the most the Wittigs were permitted to do was swap some of the black furniture for “warmer” cherry pieces already in the collection. “[Ungers] designed the furniture, so he conceived this as sort of an integrated whole so to speak,” Amb. Wittig observes, noting that they can’t add new furniture. “What we did, conceptually, is open it up and fill it with new life.” Some of that new life includes their rescue puppy, Mikosch – “the first American born member of the family” – and the Wittig’s four children, the youngest of whom is 7year-old Felice, who likes to walk across the gardens to the ambassador’s office for what he calls “surprise inspections,” and to give her father a kiss on the cheek. Her reward is a handful of gummy bears.

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HOME LIFE | REAL ESTATE NEWS

Bringing the Past to the Future Energy company executives sell a renovated modern marvel in Cleveland Park for over $5 million; a $6 million-plus penthouse changes hand at the Ritz Carlton West End BY STAC E Y G R A Z I E R P FA R R

Reuben and Robin Jefferey sold their sophisticated 1978 Ray Howar-built Federal at KALORAMA ROAD NW for $3,250,000 within a month of being listed. The couple is relocating to New York City. The former undersecretary of state for economic, business and agricultural affairs and his wife bought a Park Avenue property in 2013 for $9 million. He is currently the CEO of the asset management firm Rockefeller & Co. The purchasers are Cara and Albert Simmonds, two physicians moving to the city from the Rockville area. The stately seven-bedroom brick residence features embassy-sized entertaining rooms, a handsome library, a gourmet kitchen opening to a private patio and a master bedroom suite that includes an attached home office. Washington Fine Properties’ Bobbie Brewster was the listing agent for the Jeffereys, The Simmonds were represented by Heather Keith of Evers & Co.

THE DISTRICT Steve McBee , CEO of NRG Energy, and his wife Jennifer Knowland , sold TH STREET NW for $5,450,000 to a private LLC. Knoland is the firm’s general counsel. The classic Cleveland Park Colonial, once affectionately known around the neighborhood as “The Pink House,” was

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built in 1914 but completely renovated to become a futuristic state-of-the-art, geothermal, “smart” house. It wouldn’t be possible to replicate the character and charm of this stucco beauty that sits on a spacious double lot and now boasts a pristine gourmet kitchen with coffered ceilings, wine cellar, outdoor terraces and breathtaking

landscaping. Washington Fine Properties Margot Wilson was the listing agent while Ellen Morrell, Matt McCor mick and Ben Roth of Washington Fine Properties represented the buyer. Roberta Bantel and Stefan Jacoby bought R STREET NW from Paul Milone for $3,250,000. Jacoby is a General

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MARYLAND DORSET AVENUE in Chevy Chase sold for $3,365,000 to Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson and his wife Gina Nucci. Carlson, who grew up playing hockey in New Jersey, signed a $23.8million contract with the Caps in 2012. The six-bedroom 1940 Colonial with an all- white interior has been completely remodeled and includes a home theater, tray ceilings, an art room and heated pool. Washington Fine Properties’ Kara Sheehan was the listing agent. Summit Realtors Frank Schofield was the buyer’s agent.

Motors executive who oversees international operations. Bantel owns an executive coaching company. The four-bedroom Georgetown residence includes a first level double parlor with two ornate fireplaces, chef ’s kitchen, expansive side garden and two-car garage. Washington Fine Properties Heidi Hatfield was the listing agent; TTR Sotheby’s Michael Ranking represented the buyer. Jeff and Linda Fine’s 5,600-square-foot penthouse in the Residences at the RitzCarlton West End sold for $6,050,000, making it the highest condo sale to date in the District this year. The buyer of RD STREET NW Presidential PH2 was an LLC. The unit boasts dual entrances, a

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service entrance for catering, three balconies, an eat-in gourmet kitchen and four bedroom suites plus a wood-paneled library. Ellen Morrell, Matt McCormick and Ben Roth of Washington Fine Properties were the listing agents. WFP also represented the buyers. Rachel Flipse and Brian Healy bought E STREET SE for $1,575,000 from Rebecca and Pablo Chavez . The fourlevel Capitol Hill townhouse, built in 1962, has five bedrooms and 4.5 baths plus main level floor-to-ceiling plate glass windows and a glass door leading to a stunning private landscaped garden. Washington Fine Properties William F. X. Moody, Robert Hryniewicki Adam T. Rackliffe and Christopher R. Leary listed the house.

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Redfin’s Leslie White was the buyer’s agent

VIRGINIA NORTH GLEBE ROAD sold for $1,269,850 when Heidi Bauer bought it from Akseizer Design Group’s Jeffrey Akseizer. No expense was spared renovating this threebedroom North Arlington residence with a gourmet kitchen and luxurious bathrooms featuring full body sprayers and an Aquatic air bathtub. The professionally landscaped rear garden boasts a large bluestone terrace that is ideal for entertaining. William F. X. Moody, Robert Hryniewicki, Adam T. Rackliffe and Christopher R. Leary of Washington Fine Properties were the listing agents; Beasley’s Kevin Gray was the buyer’s agent.

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HOME LIFE | REAL ESTATE NEWS

PROPERTY LINES

OLDEST HOUSE IN DC: Nina and Ken Brody have their extraordinary historic at KALORAMA ROAD NW on the market for $10.5 million. Originally built in 1754 as a Danvers, Mass. summer residence for Robert Hooper, a wealthy merchant and English loyalist, it was dismantled nail by nail and then moved and entirely rebuilt in Washington from 1935-1937 by prominent Washington lawyer George Maurice Morris and his wife Miriam Hubbard Morris. The six-bedroom, four-level mansion known as “The Lindens” occupies a majestic half-acre lot and features embassy-sized rooms, two kitchens and a lower level tavern and spa. Washington Fine Properties’ William F. X. Moody, Robert Hryniewicki, Adam T. Rackliffe and Christopher R. Leary are the listing agents. FAMILY GEM: For the first time in over 20 years, WYOMING AVENUE NW is on the market in Kalorama. George and Patricia Lesser, who bought it from Mr. Lesser’s parents, are asking $3,295,000. The 1922 Federal townhouse has a certain quiet character for which the architect, George N. Ray, also designer of the elegant Riggs National Bank across from the U.S. Treasury, was known. Large, airy rooms with oversized windows and 10.5-foot ceilings lend brightness to the interiors, which also feature plaster moldings, wrought iron railings on the cantilevered staircase

2220 Wyoming Avenue NW

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and a gracious main level foyer doubling as a library. The seven-bedroom property, listed by Bobbie Brewster of Washington Fine Properties, also includes a renovated chef’s kitchen and glass-enclosed dining room with French doors leading to a private deck. IF WALLS COULD TALK: The Alex Venditti Group of Compass Real Estate has listed TH STREET NW at $2,349,000 for sellers Andy Cordonnier and Robert Winter. Once a brothel, this posh, architecturally stunning fivebedroom Logan Circle townhouse epitomizes Washington chic. Located on the coveted 15th Street NW Corridor, it offers stately grandeur with downtown convenience. A beautiful “hidden garden oasis” and fully finished English basement complete the package. FAMED BREWER/PHILANTHROPIST’S HOME: THOMPSON CIRCLE NW in Massachusetts Avenue Heights is for sale for $6,749,000. Germanborn brewer and philanthropist Christian Heurich originally built the mansion in 1929. The current

4 Thompson Circle NW owners undertook a meticulous renovation and restoration to restore this grand estate sited on an attractive cul-de-sac. Listed by the Greg and Carroll Team of TTR Sotheby’s, original details include fine moldings and millwork, leaded glass windows, iron balustrades, antique French doors and hardwood floors. Also included is a gourmet chef’s kitchen with butler’s pantry, breakfast room and adjacent formal dining room overlooking the rear grounds. Send real estate news to Stacey Grazier Pfarr at editorial@washingtonlife.com.

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HOME LIFE | OPEN HOUSE

Family Friendly Create a lifetime of memories in these properties, perfect for a family of any size. GEORGETOWN

SOUTH STREET< NW _ E AND _ F This listing features a rare offering of two side-by-side condominiums each with panoramic Potomac River views in The Residences of the Ritz Carlton, Georgetown. They can be purchased separately or together for a “full-floor” residence featuring private elevator vestibule, four terraces, and unsurpassed services by the Ritz Carlton. With only 28 residences, this is truly a special and rare opportunity. .

BETHESDA

ASKING PRICE: $3,600,000 (2E), $4,995,000 (2F) LISTING AGENT: Monica Boyd, 202321-5055, Coldwell Banker Real Estate

ASKING PRICE: $1,988,000

ALDERSHOT DRIVE< BETHESDA< MD This beautiful, brick Colonial, updated in 2015, is set among mature trees in a quiet, park-like setting on a dead-end street. The five-bedroom house includes a spectacular master suite with a sitting area, two walk-in closets and an oversize shower.The bathrooms and kitchen feature custom solid wood cabinetry and granite countertops. The property includes two lots, with a rear yard entertaining area. On the main level there is a library and family room overlooking the rear patio. This house is located just minutes from downtown Bethesda and major commuter routes.

LISTING AGENT: Anne Marie Drechsler, 301-980-6687, Beasley Real Estate

ASKING PRICE: $4,195,000

PHILLIPS PARK FOXHALL ROAD NW Inspired by the estates of Brittany, France, this exceptional 6,900square-foot Philips Park property was designed by Barnes Vanze Architects and newly built by Mauck Zantzinger & Associates. The residence showcases pristine grounds, luxurious finishes, a desirable open floor plan with high ceilings, and formal public rooms. This truly is one of the finest homes in Washington.

LISTING AGENT: Michael Rankin, 202-271-3344, TTR Sotheby’s International Realty

GEORGETOWN Q ST < NW Located in the desirable East Village, this completely renovated house features four bedrooms, an office and three-and-one-half bathrooms. The historic façade has been meticulously updated and includes a spacious, inviting front porch.The main level features formal living and dining spaces, a gourmet kitchen with an attached family room and a large, professionally designed rear garden. Top-of-the-line finishes and appliances, smart home features and an idyllic floor plan make this home one-of-a-kind.

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ASKING PRICE: $2,295,000 LISTING AGENT: Kimberly Casey and Daryl Judy, 202-361-3228, Washington Fine Properties

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| O C T O B E R | washingtonlife.com

HOME LIFE | REAL ESTATE NEWS

Exquisite Interiors Stona offers one-stop shopping for luxury home design and installation in the heart of Georgetown B Y E R I C A M O O DY | P H O T O S B Y J AY S N A P

Mert and Alev Bakan in Stona’s approximately 5,000-square-foot showroom.

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he first thing one notices when entering Mert Bakan’s sleek new home design showroom, Stona, is an iconic piece of Keith Haring pop art on the wall, an image of two figures raising a heart that looks remarkably chic next to a lightweight Laufen Alessi porcelain sink with a Gessi faucet. . From gold sinks and chromatherapy showers to marble countertops and track lighting fixtures, the store offers unique modern pieces for the entire home, the majority of them from Europe. “We go beyond quality, design and craftsmanship,” says Bakan.“We’re an authorized dealer for some of the top European brands like Gessi, Dornbracht, Laufen and Sicis.” The entrepreneur moved to the U.S. from Turkey 20 years ago and worked as a marketing director before opening up his first company, Global Natural Stone, in 2003, which currently boasts offices in Turkey, Panama and Arlington, Virginia. With his second venture, he wanted to go “more high-end.” Of his products, Bakan praises “German engineering, Italian design, American customer service and Turkish hardworking.” And, unlike its competitors, Stona handles all your installation

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needs as well, including design and construction. “We take responsibility for everything,” his wife Alev says.“Other companies will guide you to a third party for installation, but we eliminate that step.” With residential, architectural and commercial clients including the Washington Redskins and Holy Cross Hospital, Stona’s elegant offerings are making their way into prominent Washington businesses and homes alike. Stona, 3210 Grace St., N.W. or www.stona.com.

Marble, porcelain, granite and mosaic tiles are available in a wide variety of designs.

Dornbracht stone seats grace the well-lit entryway of the showroom.

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| O C T O B E R | washingtonlife.com

MY WASHINGTON Stuart Holliday, President and CEO, Meridian International Center BY KEVIN CHAFFEE

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WHAT ARE YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENTS AT MERIDIAN? First, it’s a team effort. We have been able to grow our major partnership with the State Department in global leadership development in critical areas – such as entrepreneurship – and do great work as a cultural diplomacy center. We are now more global and work extensively overseas in places like Johannesburg, Stockholm, New Delhi, and Beijing. Our cultural diplomacy programs are also world class with major partnerships with China, the UAE and India, among others. WHY IS THE MERIDIAN BALL SUCH A MUST ATTEND EVENT EVERY FALL? Every ball has its own character, and is a constant anchor of Washington civic life. We have tireless and amazing ball chairmen and we could not do

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If you haven’t seen the silent drill at the (1) Marine Corps Barracks (8th and I streets SE), it is very moving and a great summer tradition. I remember when a young marine dropped his rifle during the drill and President George H. W. Bush wrote him a note saying that we all make mistakes – truly a class act. I love the energy at (2) Café Milano: (3251 Prospect St. NW) and the food should get more recognition. It reminds me of the Amalfi Coast where “Pasta waits for no man!” (3) The Linden Grove Garden at Meridian International Center is a bit of a “home pick” but it’s a magical place and has the most European feel in Washington. In winter the trees turn to “sculptured fists.” (4) The Bishop’s Garden at Washington National Cathedral is also magical. I often wander among the roses and boxwood there while reflecting on the the three F’s – faith, family and friends – the most important things in life. (5) Camillo’s Barbershop in Tenleytown (3921 Windom Pl. NW) has been around forever and has a classic neighborhood feel. (6) The French Ambassador’s Residence (2221 Kalorama Rd. NW) has been spectacularly renovated and I love the oversize blue abstract hanging in the foyer – at night you can see it from outside. Every morning I drive around beautiful (7) Sheridan Circle, named for Union Gen. Philip Sheridan (don’t tell my Texas relatives). Its diminutive scale amid the Beaux arts embassy buildings makes it a quintessentially Washington place.

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| O C T O B E R | washingtonlife.com

H O L L I DAY P H OTO CO U RT E SY M E R I D I A N I N T E R N AT I O N A L C E N T E R ; M A R I N E B A R R AC K S P H OTO CO U RT E SY D I A/ MCC S S P I K E CAL L ; L I N D E N G R OV E GAR D E N P H OTO CO U RT E SY M E R ID I A N I N T E R N AT I O N A L CEN TER ; ’S GARDEN PHOTO COURTE SY WIKIMEDIA/VOXINFERIOR; FRENCH AMBASSADOR’S RE SIDENCE PHOTO BY OW E L L .

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TELL US ABOUT YOUR GOVERNMENT SERVICE. As a special assistant to President George W. Bush, I was responsible for building the administration’s leadership team in foreign policy, defense, homeland security and intelligence during his first term. My job as ambassador for special political affairs at the U.N. Security Council from 2003-2005 was a unique experience at a challenging time. There is no feeling like representing your country and the American people. Peacekeeping was a big part of that and I am proud of the work we did to stabilize Sudan, Haiti and Cote d’Ivoire.

MY TOP SPOTS

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it without the support and involvement of over 25 embassies that host pre-ball dinners. We have also developed a Global Leadership Summit on the morning of the ball to add a substantive discourse to the day. This year’s Meridian Ball and Summit on Oct. 16 will be a magical evening.

ST UA R W I KI M BISHO TO N Y

HOW WAS YOUR INTEREST IN DIPLOMACY SPARKED? It started as a family affair and an expression of my own interest in how the world works. My father was a diplomat and I was born at a U.S. embassy overseas – in Malawi, Africa. We then moved to Paris, Geneva, Morocco and the Middle East. After St. Albans and Avon Old Farms, I attended the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, was in Naval Officer Candidate School and received a Master’s degree from the London School of Economics.

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