UL Prexy Maparyan Calls for Course on Civil War Literature -Wants Radio Shows Promote Local Authors

By George C Flomo 

MONROVIA – At the launch of Foley Freeman’s new novel, Echoes of War, on the Capitol Hill campus, the President of the University of Liberia, Dr. Layli Maparyan, delivered a powerful message about the role of books in national healing, education, and cultural revival. She announced plans for a university course on Liberia’s civil conflict, highlighting literature and a radio program to showcase Liberian authors. She also spoke of international partnerships to strengthen the country’s libraries.

Speaking “as a president, an author, and a book lover,” Dr. Maparyan said the University of Liberia is committed to reviving a culture of reading, writing, and book discussion in Liberia.

“I am very dedicated to resurrecting the culture of book reading, book writing, and book selling at the University of Liberia,” she said. “Our younger generation, many of whom were either born during the war or after it, need to learn this history. Literature gives us that opportunity.”

Course on Liberian Civil Conflict Literature

Dr. Maparyan urged UL faculty, particularly in the English Department, to introduce a course dedicated to literature about Liberia’s civil wars.

“Countries all over the world that have had wars have a genre called war literature. There is no reason we couldn’t have an entire course here on literature of the Liberian civil conflict,” she explained. “We already have this book, and I have received at least five other books on the conflict since assuming office. If we make them required texts, it will not only increase book sales but also rebuild a culture of critical reading and reflection.”

She noted that as a professor at Georgia State University before coming to Liberia, she taught courses on Liberian history and literature using memoirs and fiction about the war.

New Radio Program: Liberian Book Club

To further stimulate national conversation, the UL President disclosed that Lux FM 106.5, the university’s radio station, will soon launch a new show titled Liberian Book Club.

“We are going to start a radio show where Liberian authors can be interviewed, and books can be discussed on air,” she announced. “I am recommending that Foley Freeman be one of the first interviewees for this program.”

Appeal for International Support

Dr. Maparyan also drew attention to the state of Liberia’s libraries, many of which were destroyed or abandoned during the conflict. She appealed directly to international partners, particularly the Carnegie Corporation of New York, to help rehabilitate the University of Liberia’s libraries.

“If you put Carnegie’s focus on libraries and African universities together, you have the University of Liberia,” she said, looking into the cameras. “I invite you to come and help us rehabilitate our library so we can make shelf space for books like Echoes of War and others being written by Liberians.”

Concrete Commitments

In a show of support, Dr. Maparyan pledged both personal and institutional purchases of Freeman’s novel.

“I am going to personally commit to 12 books,” she said. “And on behalf of the University, I am committing to 25 copies so that our students can begin a seminar on Liberian conflict literature using this text.”

She encouraged others to follow suit, urging the audience to adopt a culture of philanthropy in supporting authors.

“If you bought a book tonight, that’s wonderful,” she told the gathering. “But if you didn’t, then you know someone who can. Go tell your friend to buy a book. That way we double the sales. This is not just sales talk—it comes from the heart of a book lover who leads an institution where everyone needs to read, write, and discuss books.”

Reviving a National Culture

Dr. Maparyan’s remarks positioned the University of Liberia not just as a center for higher education but as a hub for reviving Liberia’s intellectual and cultural identity through books.

“Liberia has grown up without books and libraries for too long,” she concluded. “As the Flagship University of the Republic, we have a duty to change that — to support our authors, our readers, and the future of Liberian scholarship.”