Asantehene to visit Boston Museum of Fine Arts

BOSTON, Mass. (October, 2005)-In a rare visit to the U.S., on Wednesday, November 2, the King of the Asante people of Ghana, His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II-officially known as the Asantehene-will be at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA). His Majesty will be the guest of honor during a reception at the MFA, accompanied by a delegation of his palace officials. He will enter the Museum in a ceremonial procession, wearing full regalia, and permit members of the community to pay their respect, while sitting in state.

This event, which is free and open to the public, begins at 6:00 p.m. and will last until approximately 7:30 p.m. The King's visit to Boston, organized in collaboration with Harvard University, marks the MFA's opening of the exhibition West African Gold: Akan Regalia from the Glassell Collection the same day. The royal dress and gold adornment on display in the exhibition are among the most spectacular in Africa.

After entering the Huntington Avenue doors into the Museum, the Asantehene will proceed with his palace officials along a red carpet up the grand staircase to the majestic Koch Gallery. The procession will be accompanied by traditional Asante drumming, horn blowing, and dancing provided by the Ghanaian community in the U.S. His Majesty will sit in state for approximately one hour and the public will be invited to enter the gallery to greet him.