|
|
** News Release
**
AFRICA UNITE
 (view
the PDF)
DEC-29-2004
A quarter of
a million people expected for Bob Marley commemorative
concert
Addis
Ababa, 29 December – More
than a quarter of a million people are expected to fill historic
Meskel Square in Addis Ababa on 6 February 2005 for a 10 hour concert
celebrating the 60 th birthday of legendary reggae singer, Bob
Marley.
The concert, with performances by the Marley family, I-Three
and African superstars like Angelique Kidjo, a UNICEF goodwill
ambassador, among others, will be part of Africa Unite, an
unprecedented month-long celebration in the Ethiopian capital commemorating
the late beloved reggae superstar. The Bob Marley and Rita Marley
Foundations are partnering with the Government of Ethiopia, the City
Government of Addis Ababa, the African Union, the World Bank, the
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and United
Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to make the month one to remember
with a symposium, art and photo exhibitions, a film festival and
other live music events.
This is the first time that the birthday
celebrations, organized annually by the Marley family since his passing
in 1981, are being held outside of Jamaica .
“We
decided to host the Africa Unite Celebration
in Ethiopia because this was Bob Marley’s vision. He claimed
Ethiopia as his home and the time is fitting for his return. I am
proud that the Ethiopian Government and partners have responded so
positively,” said Nana Rita Marley, the late singer’s
widow.
Bob Marley first
visited Ethiopia , the spiritual home of the Rastafari faith, in
1979. “What he told me when he came back was, ‘wow – I
can’t wait to go back to Ethiopia !’” recalls Nana
Rita Marley. “He wasn’t the Bob Marley then that he is
today. So he came in a humble, low profile way. Twenty-three years
after his passing this is the best thing we could do for him, for
us to say, ‘rise up, Bob, in Ethiopia .’ That is major.
Bob says, ‘Africa Unite, Unite for the benefit of our people.
Unite for the benefit of our children. Unite because it is later
that you think. It is time for the unification of all Africans.’”
Africa
Unite will
showcase Addis Ababa as the capital of Africa and seat of the African
Union. “The
essence of Ethiopia being the capital of Africa should be underlined
very strongly – and we see this as one event that will really
put accent on that fact that this is the home of the African Union
and what we do here reverberates across the rest of Africa,” said
Professor Margaret Vogt, Director of Cabinet of the African Union
Commission.
Ethiopian partner organizations are upgrading infrastructure
and services to ensure that the series of events run smoothly. Teams
of workers are currently resurfacing historic Meskel Square , the
venue for the birthday celebration, located in the heart of Addis
Ababa .
“This is a special event
for our city and its residents,” said
Arkebe Oqubay, Mayor of the City of Addis Ababa . “Everyone
is welcome to the Meskel Square to enjoy this historic concert. The
City Government will cordon off specific areas of Meskel Square to
accommodate families with children, the elderly and those who need
special care. The City will also make special arrangement with the
city bus service to ensure concert attendants have means of transportation
late in to the evening.”
“Bob
Marley put Ethiopia on a pedestal and it is an honour that the festival
will take place in Ethiopia ,” said Netsanet
Asfaw, State Minister of Information. “Ethiopians have long
been waiting for Bob Marley’s family to perform in Ethiopia
and I would like to thank them.”
ENDS
Media Contacts
Dianne Regisford cell: +27 83 449 0256 email: dianne@talawa.co.za
Indrias Getachew tel: +251 1 44 43 64 cell: +251
9 25 40 18 email:igetachew@unicef.org
www.bobmarleyfoundation.org/africaunite
hotographs are available upon request.
|
|
