Sunday, December 09, 2007

Bob Marley Documentary Film Features 60th Anniversary Celebration in Ethiopia

Marley Documentary Film Premiered at National Palace

The Daily Monitor (Addis Ababa)

The World Premiere of 'Africa Unite', the feature length documentary chronicling the historic 60th birthday celebrations of the legendary reggae singer held in Addis Ababa in February 2005, was premiered on Saturday at the National Palace in the presence of President Girma W. Giorgis.

The great deeds of the singer presented at the National palace indicated that Bob was a crusader for ending the cruel system of apartheid in South Africa and he became the crowning glory during the independence celebrations in Zimbabwe.

He encouraged 'revolution by any means necessary', but was more interested in the process of re-education and re-orientation of values and belief systems which would lead to social transformation over time.

The presentation of the film by Tuff Gong Pictures and Louverture Films in association with UNICEF is part of a series of special activities intended to increase the awareness of youth about the significance of the Ethiopian Millennium,the statement said.

UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors Danny Glover and Joslyn Barnes, praised the late artist saying Bob Marley's vision of a united African continent and tells the story that brought multitudes from across the world to Ethiopia to join the celebrations.

"Africa Unite was much more than a magnificent concert," said Bjorn Ljungqvist, UNICEF Representative in Ethiopia.

"Most significant for the work of UNICEF was the involvement of youth from across Africa who, inspired by the vision of Bob Marley, developed a set of ten 'demandments' on issues of livelihoods, governance, education, health.

These issues, the statement indicated have been captured in the African Youth Charter and were signed by African Heads of State, and now represent the heart of the youth agenda for the development The Africa Unite documentary will be used to share information on Speak Africa, a communication strategy born out of the Africa Unite celebrations, designed to empower youth and promote their participation in the development of their communities by harnessing the power of popular culture and media.

These, the statement indicated, included a symposium on the achievements, legacy and enduring relevance of Bob Marley, his music and message to the people of Africa, both on the continent and the Diaspora; exhibitions on the life and legacy of Bob Marley, and three concerts including the epic Meskel Square finale with an historic attendance of close to half a million persons.

The 2005 Africa Unite celebrations were organized by the Bob and Rita Marley Foundations in collaboration with the African Union, the government of Ethiopia, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the World Bank and UNICEF.

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