Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: December 19, 1996

Release #662-96

Contact:Jack Deacy (212) 788-2958; Martin Barreto (212) 788-3256


MAYOR GIULIANI CELEBRATES KWANZAA WITH
CANDLELIGHTING CEREMONY AT TWEED COURTHOUSE

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani hosted a candlelighting ceremony this evening to celebrate the start of the Kwanzaa holiday. The Mayor was joined by Deputy Mayor Rudy Washington, City Commissioners, City Council Members and guests in the rotunda of the Tweed Courthouse at 52 Chambers Street in Lower Manhattan.

"I am very pleased to celebrate the wonderful tradition of Kwanzaa. This is a time to pay tribute to the rich cultural traditions, heritage and contributions of African-Americans to New York City," said Mayor Giuliani. "Kwanzaa represents the true spirit of the holidays -- the spirit of peace, tolerance, enlightment, and, most of all, unity."

The word Kwanzaa comes from the Swahili word "Kwanza," which means "first" or "first fruit." The holiday is based on ancient African harvest festivals which emphasized teamwork and accomplishment.

Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor of African-American History at California State University. The holiday, which begins on December 26th and lasts for seven days, is a uniquely American holiday that pays tribute to the rich cultural roots of Americans of African ancestry. It is not a religious, political or heroic holiday, but rather a cultural one.

The celebration this evening was made possible by the sponsorship of Brooklyn Union Gas, Aramis, Arista Records, Biocosmetic Research Labs, Bloomingdale's, Caribe Restaurant, Carolina Pad & Paper, Coca-Cola Bottling Company of New York, Coty, EMI Records, General Mills, GRP Records, J&P Caterers, Kiehl's Since 1851, MCA Records, Motown Records, Savory/Malaco Records, Schieffelin Somerset Company, Sheraton Hotel & Towers, Sony Records, Sugar Hill Disco & Restaurant, Sylvia's Restaurant, and the Table Top Restaurant.



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