 Following the untimely and sudden death of Hélène Lembanaka on 26th June 2007, Acton Community Forum, in conjunction with Acton Black History group would like to announce details of a memorial, which will be held at Priory Community Centre, Acton Lane, W3, (more details below) on Friday, 28th September 2007, between 6 - 9pm.
The aim is to provide family, friends, colleagues and other well-wishers with the opportunity to publicly mark her passing, with contributions about her life and work, as a journalist and director of the African Visual Audio Library (AFAL).
We intend to exhibit samples of Hélène’s work, including a diverse range of cultural artefacts from Gabon, still images of some of her workshops in action and her publications. There will also be a storytelling performance from Hélène’s book, Tales from Gabon (2006), live performances by West African musicians and dancers, Gabonese and other musical tributes that Hélène would have liked.
As well as having invited individual speakers and representatives from organisations who have worked with Hélène, there will be an opportunity for guests to make some spontaneous tributes.
We are honoured that the Ambassador of Gabon intends to be at the memorial and will be offering his own tribute. If you like to send any written tributes in memory of Hélène Lembanaka, please contact Rachel Pepper or me at the details indicated below. Thank you for your support. We look forward to your response.
Akuba Grace Quansah, Performance Artiste, British Museum Facilitator quansah@hotmail.com
Rachel Pepper, Coordinator of Acton Community Forum rachel_acf@yahoo.co.uk (020 8 993 6158)
Biography of Helene
Born on 6th June 1956 in Mounana, Gabon, West Africa, Hélène was one of four children of Jean Pierre Douman Goye and Melanie Pembe. A studious child, in her teens she gained a French Baccalaureate at the Lycee in Mouila, Gabon before coming to London in 1977 to undertake B.A Honours Degree, Applied Languages (English and Spanish) at Ealing College of Higher Education. She went on to acquire further qualifications, i.e. Higher Diplomas in Political Science and International Relations and Science of Information and Communication, respectively, followed by a Master’s in Information and Communication, while based in Paris.
Hélène’s academic interest in Politics and Communications was further reflected in her professional life. For example, she has worked as a Communications Officer at the Embassy of Gabon in Paris (1991/1994), as a Producer for the BBC World Service, Bush House, London (1994/1998) and as a Branch Organiser (Reporters Sans Frontières in London), supporting asylum seekers and refugee journalists, and issuing press releases on press freedom violations, amongst other duties.
From 2001 until her death, Hélène was the Founder and Co-Coordinator of the project, African Audio Visual Library, AFAL, in Acton, West London, whose objectives include collecting and collating a wide range of audio-visual material on African Arts and Cultures on an on-going basis; providing a library service during office hours and making this information accessible online at www.afal.org.uk and organising educational events to promote understanding of African Arts and Cultures and bringing such material to a wider range of people. AFAL as been supported by Action Action, Awards For All, Can Do (The Scarman Trust), The Local Network Fund, The Neighbourhood Renewal Unit and, Ealing Council, The Peabody Trust and Trust For London.
Taken from www.black-history-month.co.uk
September 25, 2007 |
