When Liberian folklorist Bai T. Moore, deputy minister of Culture, at the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, died 8 January 1988, hopes for the promotion of Liberian culture still remained alive because he had already institutionalized cultural awakening among Liberians, especially with the erection of the cultural village Kendeja at a secluded corner on the Atlantic shores, and historic Besao in Bomi County.

With adequate support from government, Bai T. and his able lieutenants developed Kendeja into a cultural resort that found a prominent permanent place on the itinerary of any official visitor, including heads of state, like Mobutu Sese Seku and Sekou Toure, who once ignored protocol and danced on stage with 'Nimba Bird' to the delight and company of their Liberian counterpart, William Tolbert.

While en route to Sanniquellie in 1972 for '26' celebrations, Tolbert spotted little Burr Suma (that later trained to be 'Nimba Bird') smeared in white chalk, dancing with the welcome crowd, and directed Bai T. Moore to recruit the potential talent for training at Kendeja. Aside from troupes representing many ethnic groups that lived at Kendeja, the village was also home to historian, Dr. Jangaba Jangaba and Ma Gbessie (all deceased), the no-nonsense matron who taught artists songs and dance during cool afternoon hours following their academic classes.

But Dr. Jangaba passed and Ma Gbessie was not much honored in death, while Jallah K.K. Kamara, former director general of culture, died brokenhearted over the dismal plight of arts and culture in contemporary Liberia.

Jallah K.K., who tirelessly trained cultural artists, remained a faithful contributor to the Arts & Literature Column in the New Democrat, promoting intrinsic knowledge and wisdom from traditional life that depicted moral lessons of society that deserve being imparted Jallah Kamara, months before his death, was among other concerned citizens that left an indelible mark advocating for government support to resuscitate arts and culture during their appearance on Miatta Fahnbulleh's show--Between You and Me.

On that memorable program were also Mr. Kona Khasu and Rev. Emmanuel Bowier urging government to support ageing folk singer Yatta Zoe and revive the cultural shrines of Providence Island and Besao, designated cultural village hosting the grave of King Sao Boso.

The demise of Peter Ballah, founder of Flomo Theater, certainly subtracted another staunch campaigner in the promotion of arts and culture, now without a befitting home following the dislocation of Kendeja in the name of national investment.

For two decades before the rebel war, all roads led to Kendeja where people of all walks of life enjoyed cultural extravaganzas, jamborees, year-end parties and sightseeing. Weekends and holidays to watch artists in amateur rehearsals were no exception.

Unfortunately, this is no more, thus exposing our children and youths to the dangers of insecure beaches on weekends and holidays where they risk being exposed and introduced to abnormal habits of practicing illicit drugs and indecent dressing.

It is noteworthy to mention how the mistaken identify killing of Liberia's foremost sculptor, Mr. R. Vanjah Richards, at the onset of the rebel war in the country, equally robbed Liberia of creative concrete arts. We are these days unsure whether Liberians below 25 years who wend the E.J. Roye Building daily bother to stop and take a glimpse at the handiworks of Sculptor R. Vanjah, who headed the Arts and Craft Department at the University of Liberia up to his violent death. [Perhaps, they are ignorant; but images on the wall should definitely attract them to become knowledgeable].

He made immense contributions to arts and culture in the country and lifted high the name of our nation at international conferences attended by sculptors worldwide.

It is a pity that Liberia's lack of any type of museum can seem like the people of this nation have no past or have been unmindful about preserving their past to benefit posterity.

Though this debate is well cast in the vision 2030 document, we cannot overemphasize our solidarity with stakeholders in arts and culture urging government to adequately support the revival of arts and culture--the tangible and intangible souls of society--so that generations of posterity will have an idea about some cardinal values on the entertainment side their forebears upheld.

It is also heartwarming that the National Cultural Union was convinced authorities at the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism to designate July 27 as cultural day on Providence Island where culture performances will go on all day.