Report from the Tunisian Ambassador Reception (2/18/2024)
The Ambassador of the Republic of Tunisia to the United States of America, Her Excellency Hanène Tajouri Bessassi, welcomed guests on Friday evening to Her residence in Washington, D.C. The historic reception connected the ancient people of Tunisia with the ancient people of America and brought light to the greatness of the Carthaginian Empire and the Phoenicians.
Embassy Reception / Heartland Research
The Diplomatic Reception at the Ambassador’s Residence in Washington, D.C., was a great success.
About one hundred people came who represented a half dozen countries speaking at least four different languages.
They gathered at the Reception to give honor to the signifiance of what the 600 BC ship replica on the banks of the Mississippi River means for the history of ancient America.
We were all grateful for the support of the Tunisian Government, the Phoenician Ship Expeditions, and the Phoenician Ship Museum in America.
Our understanding of the ancient histories of America and Tunisia was greatly increased by this gathering.
Phoenicians and Carthaginians are the unsung heroes of the ancient world. They invented the alphabet and introduced many new things to the Western World, such as metal tools, iron nails, wine, blown glass, the color purple, and even the domestic cat. They navigated by the North Star and constellations, and with that knowledge, dominated the seas for over a thousand years.
Intrigued by those accounts and legends, British captain Philip Beale constructed, in 2008, a replica of a Phoenician ship from the year 600 BC. The replica ship was based on the Jules Verne 7 wreck from the Marseilles Museum in France. Shipwrights from Syria using ancient tools and materials constructed the ship in the small Phoenician island of Arwad.
The Greek historian Herodotus wrote that the Egyptian Pharaoh Necho II commissioned a Phoenician Fleet to circumnavigate the African Continent. To investigate if this account could be factual, from 2008 to 2010, Philip and an international crew of volunteers sailed over twenty thousand miles, crossing five oceans and seas, visiting 15 countries in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe, facing many challenges. After two years, they returned to Lebanon and Syria, and their audacious experimental archaeological project was a huge success.
In this photo Captain Philip Beale is talking with one of the social media outlets who were at the Diplomatic Event. There were five cameras at the Reception. In the coming days hundreds of thousands of people will view videos that will feature the Reception.
“I’m very excited about the prospect of having a museum to celebrate transoceanic voyages and ancient cultures. This cooperation between Heartland Research Group and Association Didon de Carthage will make possible deeper understanding and promotion of the rich history of Tunisia and America.” – Captain Philip Beale. Contact: phoenicia.org.uk or philipbeale.com (Philip Beale Voyage pictures 2009
We think that it is wonderful to be able to play a small role in bringing to light the greatness of the Carthaginian Empire and the knowledge of the country that was among the first to recognize the independence Washington won for its people.
America’s diplomatic history has had a long and friendly relationship with Tunisia. General George Washington sent a letter to the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives on March 2, 1795, requesting financial support and confirmation to send a consul to Tunis, representing American interests abroad for the first time.
The Heartland Research Group is delighted to include President Washington in our story and celebrates the work Captain Beale did for the history of ancient America as well as Tunisia’s friendship with America.
In light of this important occasion, we asked Andrew Shelmidine, an expert in the history of American military uniforms, to dress as a military officer who could have been assigned to Tunis in 1800 after Tunisia was among the first to recognize the independence of the United States.
In this photo the President and Founder of Club de Didon of Carthage, Eryij Ben Sassi, reported on the partnerhip her culutral association has made with Heartland Research to establish the ancient contactions between Jerusalem and Zarahemla.
“Heartland Research picked up the pieces of the ‘Phoenicia’ from the mud of Florida and took them to the west bank of the Mississippi River in Iowa. Over the last two years, hundreds of volunteers have dedicated thousands of hours to the restoration of Captain Philip’s ship replica. The ship is the clearest link between the people from the cradle of Western Civilization to the ancient people of America. We will go forward and build a proper museum for such a historic connection.”
– John Lefgren, President of Heartland Research Group
Food from Tunisai. The two associations will cooperate on the construction of the Phoenician Ship Museum, and using the museum as a base, they will create many projects together, such as the Native American Women and Native Tunisian Women cultural and social exchanges.
Native American, Betty Red Ant LaFontaine, reports on the importance of the connecting link betwen the Old and New Worlds that adds light to her understanding of her people.
Windows of the Tunisian Ambassador’s Residence in Washington, D.C.
The Embassy offered a full and rich menu of foods from the country of Tunisia.
Some of members from the Heartland Research gathered to celebrate the success of the Reception. The preparations for the event were extensive. The guests traveled in total traveled more than 100,000 miles. Thousands of hours went over the last 15 months went into the preparation of the Reception. We were all amazed at the energy and significance of bringing so many people from so many traditions and cultures as we considered events that occurred 2,600 years ago and came right out of the Old Testament. We pray for God’s blessing as we go forward with such a meaningful project.
Foreign Ministry in Tunis, Tunisia, where the Government gave approval for the Reception at the Ambassador’s Residence in America.
Eryi Ben Sassai, Mike and Betty Red Ant LaFontaine at the Tunisian Embassy where historic Djerba is celebrated.