John Akar: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Sierra Leonean entertainer, writer and diplomat (1927–1975)}} |
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'''John Joseph Akar''' ([[1927]] - [[1975]]) was a [[Sierra Leone]]an [[entertainer]], [[writer]], and [[diplomat]]. He served as Sierra Leonean [[Ambassador]] to the United States. Today, he is probably best known for composing the music of the [[High We Exalt Thee, Realm of the Free|Sierra Leone's National Anthem]]. He was born to an ethnic [[Sherbro people|Sherbro]] mother and a [[Sierra Leonean-Lebanese]] father. |
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'''John Joseph Akar''' (1927–1975) was a [[Sierra Leone]]an [[entertainer]], [[writer]], and [[diplomat]].<ref name="TheNewYorkTimes">{{cite news|title=John Akar, Actor, Writer And Sierra Leone Envoy|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1975/07/01/archives/john-akar-actor-writer-and-sierra-leone-envoy.html|accessdate=24 October 2017|work=The New York Times|date=1 July 1975}}</ref> He served as Sierra Leonean [[ambassador]] to the United States.<ref name="TheNewYorkTimes" /> Today, he is probably best known for composing the music of [[High We Exalt Thee, Realm of the Free|Sierra Leone's National Anthem]]. |
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==Early life== |
== Early life == |
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Akar was born in the small town of [[Rotifunk]], [[Moyamba District]] in the [[Southern Province, Sierra Leone|Southern Province]] of [[Sierra Leone Colony and Protectorate|British Sierra Leone]], to an ethnic [[Sherbro people|Sherbro]] mother and to a [[Lebanese people|Lebanese]] father. Akar attended the E.U.B. primary school in Rotifunk, and proceeded to [[Albert Academy]] secondary school in [[Freetown]]. After he completed his secondary education, he moved to the [[United States]]. |
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==Career== |
== Career == |
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In |
In 1960, Akar became the first non-[[Sierra Leone Creole people|Creole]] and the first Sherbro to be appointed Director of Broadcasting of the [[Sierra Leone Broadcasting Services]] (SLBS). |
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In 1963, Akar founded the National |
In 1963, Akar founded the National Dance Troupe to encourage Sierra Leoneans to have pride in their cultural heritage. In 1964, he and the National Dance Troupe were invited to the United States to perform at [[1964 New York World's Fair|New York World's Fair]]. They were presented with a [[Commemorative plaque|plaque]] won for giving the best performance of the fair. In late 1964, they performed at the art festival in [[London]]. In 1965 they performed at the [[World Festival of Black Arts|Negro Arts Festival]] in [[Dakar]], [[Senegal]]. In 1966, they went on a four-month [[Concert tour|tour]] of Europe, including performances in [[Germany]], [[Sweden]] and [[France]]. |
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Akar was a repeat guest on the ''[[Merv Griffin Show]]'' on television. |
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==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
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*{{IMDb name|0015090}} |
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{{Authority control}} |
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[[Category:1927 births]] |
[[Category:1927 births]] |
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[[Category:1975 deaths]] |
[[Category:1975 deaths]] |
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[[Category:Sierra Leonean journalists]] |
[[Category:Sierra Leonean journalists]] |
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[[Category:Sherbro people]] |
[[Category:Sherbro people]] |
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[[Category:National anthem writers]] |
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[[Category:Sierra Leonean people of Lebanese descent]] |
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[[Category:Ambassadors of Sierra Leone to the United States]] |
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[[Category:Sierra Leonean composers]] |
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[[Category:People from Moyamba District]] |
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[[Category:20th-century journalists]] |
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[[hu:John Joseph Akar]] |
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Latest revision as of 21:54, 20 December 2022
John Joseph Akar (1927–1975) was a Sierra Leonean entertainer, writer, and diplomat.[1] He served as Sierra Leonean ambassador to the United States.[1] Today, he is probably best known for composing the music of Sierra Leone's National Anthem.
Early life[edit]
Akar was born in the small town of Rotifunk, Moyamba District in the Southern Province of British Sierra Leone, to an ethnic Sherbro mother and to a Lebanese father. Akar attended the E.U.B. primary school in Rotifunk, and proceeded to Albert Academy secondary school in Freetown. After he completed his secondary education, he moved to the United States.
Career[edit]
In 1960, Akar became the first non-Creole and the first Sherbro to be appointed Director of Broadcasting of the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Services (SLBS).
In 1963, Akar founded the National Dance Troupe to encourage Sierra Leoneans to have pride in their cultural heritage. In 1964, he and the National Dance Troupe were invited to the United States to perform at New York World's Fair. They were presented with a plaque won for giving the best performance of the fair. In late 1964, they performed at the art festival in London. In 1965 they performed at the Negro Arts Festival in Dakar, Senegal. In 1966, they went on a four-month tour of Europe, including performances in Germany, Sweden and France.
Akar was a repeat guest on the Merv Griffin Show on television.
References[edit]
- ^ a b "John Akar, Actor, Writer And Sierra Leone Envoy". The New York Times. 1 July 1975. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
External links[edit]
- https://web.archive.org/web/20070701223936/http://www.sierra-leone.org/heroes10.html
- John Akar at IMDb
- 1927 births
- 1975 deaths
- Sierra Leonean journalists
- Sherbro people
- National anthem writers
- Sierra Leonean people of Lebanese descent
- Ambassadors of Sierra Leone to the United States
- Sierra Leonean composers
- People from Moyamba District
- 20th-century journalists
- Sierra Leonean people stubs
- African journalist stubs