The City of Monrovia is poised to come alive in a grand celebration of its heritage, legacy, and future as the nation’s capital with the start of Monrovia Week. This year’s festivities carry added significance: while it is the forty-ninth anniversary of Monrovia Day, it also marks 201 years since the city officially received its name in 1824 in honor of then U.S. President James Monroe, a key advocate for resettling formerly enslaved Black individuals from the Americas to the West African coast.
The week-long commemoration underscores Monrovia’s pivotal role not only in Liberia’s history but also in the broader African diaspora narrative.
The celebrations begin on Wednesday, February 12, 2024, at 7:00 A.M. with a vibrant parade themed “The Monrovia We Want.” Scores of participants—including mask dancers, cultural groups, members of the Monrovia City police, the Centre Monrovia Band, the Liberia National Police Band, and employees of the Monrovia City Corporation—will march from Broad and Randall Street to Monrovia City Hall, passing along the Capitol Bye-Pass.
Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr of Freetown will be the special guest, joining Mayor John Charuk Siafa to receive the parade. Following this procession, an indoor program at City Hall will feature the official opening ceremony for Monrovia Week, including a keynote address from President Joseph Boakai and a drama dramatizing the founding of the city.
Historians such as Dr. D. Elwood Dunn, Dr. C. Patrick Burrowes, Dr. Herbert Brewer, Dr. William Ezra Allen, Dr. Jacien G. Carr, and Dr. Elijah Zehyoue will delve deeper into Monrovia’s storied past during a special Fireside Chat, titled “Monrovia: Antiquity to 1824.”
Cultural pride runs high throughout the week as an all-day festival, spotlighting West African cuisine, takes place after the Wednesday indoor program. This event will focus on the beloved jollof rice, bringing together embassies from across the region to showcase their culinary traditions. The festival stage will also feature Liberian comedians like Future Doe, Bamboo Koto, MC Spider, and Milkman, as well as musicians including Arblakolo, Nuchee Meek, C-Jay, Spize, Wakim, L’Drez, J-Borbor, Lestico, Lil More, Jatway Easy, King Face, Mighty Blow, The Heat, Sayon Mayson, and many others.
The excitement continues on Thursday, February 13, with a roundtable discussion from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Attendees and panelists will map strategies for “the Monrovia we want,” highlighting good governance, inclusive policies, community engagement, and environmental protection.
Friday, February 14, brings a moment of reverence with an intercessory prayer service at a local mosque. Saturday’s program shifts to sports competitions at Invincible Sports Park, where various borough communities and the Paynesville City Corporation will compete in friendly matches. A symbolic tree-planting ceremony will also take place, tying the festivities to Monrovia’s ongoing environmental efforts. The week-long events conclude on Sunday, February 16, beginning with a prayer service at the Provenance Baptist Church.
The much-anticipated State of the City address by Mayor Siafa follows, setting forth his vision for Monrovia’s progress. A dinner and fundraising ceremony at City Hall will then officially launch the Monrovia City Foundation, bringing the curtain down on a week of unity, cultural expression, and proud reflection on the city’s journey from its founding centuries ago to its vibrant present.
Through these celebrations, Monrovians and visitors alike will see firsthand the richness of the city’s heritage and its enduring place in global history. From the city’s role in offering a new beginning to former slaves, to its modern identity as a bustling hub of West African culture, Monrovia continues to bridge the past and the future.
Monrovia Week is therefore more than just a yearly tradition; it is a tribute to a city that has long stood as a symbol of resilience, identity, and aspiration for Liberia and beyond.
