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Orange Order chiefs are delighted with the response to their
attendance at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington.
The annual event attracts more than one million visitors
and the diverse culture of Northern Ireland has been one of
the major showpieces this year.
Two of the most popular attractions have been the marquees,
housing lambeg drum makers and banner painting. Orange Order
historian David Hume was the official guest of the Smithsonian
for the first week and Jonathan Mattison is taking part in
panels and other discussions on behalf of the Order.
The Orange Order Grand Master Robert Saulters and Grand Treasurer
Mervyn Bishop attended the first week of the festival and
held meetings with Congressmen and other senior American opinion
formers. They also hosted a reception for political figures
and academics.
The Grand Secretary Drew Nelson and Belfast councillor William
Humphrey continued the meetings on behalf of the Order.
"It has been a wonderful opportunity for the Orange
Order to explain our role and objectives," explained
Mr Saulters.
"The Irish-American lobby is quite vociferous and it
was time that we got across the message of the wider Ulster
Scots and Orange community. It is amazing how many Americans
came up to us to explain that they had family roots in our
culture and supported everything we were doing. It was extremely
encouraging.
"We were very well received and I believe that we made
many friends who will be supportive in our outreach strategy.
We would hope to develop those contacts in the weeks and months
ahead.
"We also received important help from officials at the
Department of Culture Arts and Leisure and the Northern Ireland
Bureau in Washington and I would like to place on record my
thanks to them.
While in Washington, the Orange Order delegation and other
guests attended two ceremonies to mark the commitment of American
servicemen in the First World War.
Crosses were laid at the First World War monument close to
the White House and a wreath was laid at the National Soldiers
and Airmen's Cemetery in the city.
The delegation also met Orange Order members from the Washington
Lodge.
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