AFRICA UNITE - ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA (FEBRUARY 2005) | FLY | AFRICA/MIDDLE EAST: CITY GUIDES/EVENTS

The Bob Marley Foundation, the Rita Marley Foundation and the Mayor of Addis Ababa invite you to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the birth of Robert Nesta Marley. "Africa Unite" is a unique series of events taking place between 1/2/05 - 13/2/05 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

As part of "Africa Unite" a huge concert will be held on Bob's birthday, 6/2/05, in Meskel Square, Addis Ababa featuring:
The Marley Brothers:
Ziggy Marley, Stephen Marley, Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley, Julian Marley, Kymani Marley
I-Threes
Rita Marley
Youssou N'Dour
Angelique Kidjo
Baaba Maal
Luciano
Dean Frazier
Stone Love
Teddy Afro

'Africa Unite' is much more that just another great Marley song as it outlines his abiding desire to see a united continent of Africa.

More than a quarter of a million people are expected to fill Meskel Square for the concert which is a way of giving praise and thanks for Bob's time on this earth and honouring his ambition to bring together Africans from the entire diaspora. The various events are also planned to raise money and awareness for HIV/AIDS educational projects, youth and women initiatives such as the Shashamane School, The Project Humanity Medical Center, the Bob Marley Youth Center and Schools in Ethiopia and for tsunami survivors in Somalia.

Bob Marley was the world's best-known Rastafarian and the first superstar of the developing world. As a global icon he's on a par with Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Muhammad Ali and Nelson Mandela. His image is as instantly recognisable as that of Che Guevara.

"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 singer's widow.

The Rastafarians looked to Ethiopia from its inception and Ethiopia has been central to the beliefs since as the spiritual home of Rasta.

The Rastafarian movement began in 1930 when Marcus Garvey's prophecy: "look to Africa for the crowning of a king to know that your redemption is near" was apparently fulfilled when Ras Tafari Makonnen was crowned Emperor of Ethiopia and took the title of Emperor Haile Selassie (Power of the Trinity) I.

"Africa Unite" is supported by Unicef, the African Union, the Government of Ethiopia, the Office of the Mayor of Addis Ababa, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, the World Bank and Ethiopian Airlines.

Honor Rebel Robert "Bob" Nesta Marley 60th Birthday Celebration
Africa Unite Symposium 2005

February 1st Opening Ceremony City Hall 6-9
Youth Procession for Peace, Priests and Nyahbinghi and Bobo Shanti drummers, traditional performances and a special reading of "The House that Bob Built" by Cedella Marley Booker. Mother Booker will also sing "Selassie is the Chapel" backed by choir, special speakers, guests and dignitaries. "Africa Unite" Photographic Exhibition.

February 2nd, 3rd and 4th United Nations Conference Center
Panel discussions. Each day a different title: "Africa Unite" , "No Woman No cry" and "Redemption Song".
Tree Planting.

February 4th Sheraton Benefit Banquet sponsored by Unicef 8pm - 12pm with special guest artists

February 5th Football match

February 2nd - 10th Exhibition Centre, All Africa exhibition, Songs of Freedom Exhibition, music, food, cultural events

February 6th Concert at Meskel Square

February 11th,12th,13th Shashamane concert, special events

Links:
www.bobmarley.com/africaunite/
In Pictures, BBC News

Having lived in Ethiopia for one year and seeing Haile Selassie, I admire the Ethiopian people and Rastafarians. I wish I was able to attend the festivities this year in Ethiopia so that I could learn even more and enjoy life as many Rastafarians do.

There has been discussion about whether Bob’s remains were to be taken to Ethiopia but, according to BBC News, this has now ben denied. “The widow of reggae legend Bob Marley has distanced herself from reports that she plans to exhume his remains in Jamaica and re-bury them in Ethiopia”

RIP Bob, the world is your ‘adopted’ homeland.

Whilst on the subject of Ethiopia, watch out for national hero Haile ‘the greatest distance runner of all time’ Gebresselassie’s involvement in the Addis Ababa Great Ethiopian Run 10k which will take place this year on Sunday, 27th November 2005.

This is a truely inspirational mass sporting event. See http://www.ethiopiarun.org/introadrace/

[Respect to Jim, Tilaye, Amanda and Frank Bailey, Christchurch, Dorset, UK].

Danny Glover, India Arie, Angelique Kidjo, Shaggy, Luciano, and others will join Ziggy Marley, Stephen Marley, Damian Marley, Julian Marley, Rita Marley, Marcia Griffiths and Judy Mowatt on the stage, at a symposium and on the streets of Addis Ababa and Shashemane from 1-13 February for the Honor Rebel Robert Nesta Marley’s 60th birthday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The Bob and Rita Marley Foundations, partners, fans, friends and family plan to participate at various venues in the capital of Africa and home to the African Union, one of the sponsors of this event, for a month of festivities that will address issues such as HIV/AIDS, war, poverty while raising funds for Tsunami Relief in Somalia, Shashemane Medical Center and a Bob Marley Youth Development Center in downtown Addis Ababa.

Speaking in Addis Ababa today, Dr Desta Meghoo-Peddie, Managing Director of the Bob Marley Foundation said: ìThe Marley family is committed to progressing Bob’s legacy as a champion for human rights. The AFRICA UNITE event will honour the patriarch and strengthen all those who work so hard to fulfil the same vision. We invite the world to celebrate with us in refuelling the spirit that will unify Africa, her sons and daughters in the Diaspora and work towards ending violence, poverty, injustice and discrimination.î

I appreciate Bob Marley in understanding what an ETHIOPIAN is.Very Powerful inside & burning enstutiasim for unite.

Even Mandela was Happy to visit Ethiopia the motherland which trained him in Freedom & War School.

There is a need for African Unite for development.Centering Ethiopia as a unity island.

A welcoming approach & culture is an Ethiopian identity.

I wish that I was in Addis for the celebration. I’m sure it was great. The fact that this celebration took place in Ethiopia makes us Ethiopian happy and proud. hey, LET’S DO IT AGAIN!!! 02/06/06 LET’S TAKE IT BACK TO ADDIS OR SHASHEMENE:)

I am very happy that Bob Marley’s 60th birthday celebration took place in Addis, my home town. I missed outof the concert ‘cause I am thousands of miles away from home. But it was nice seeing the pictures and hearing from friends that it was great. Any video clips soon? we would love that….

to demian marley ..i am so glad that ur single become the top single ever..
i am from ethiopia and my biggest dream is to visit jamica one day plus meet bob marley’s family..that would be a dream come true..i have so much respect for u guys…just to let u know we ethiopians luv the people of jamica
from us mahlet

hello! no music without the family of Bob Marley..! to Rita Marley, its now your turn to make Africa to unite. when will Africa really unite..? ONE LOVE! PEACE! UNITY! ”all man is equal…says me [Ras Walalo]. l am out…

My siter Rahwa and i were going to write to Rita Marley in regards to celebrating Bob Marley’s 60th B’day in Ethiopia and to my surprise it all happend, we sooo wanted to be there, missed out big time….hopefully in the future….we love the Marley’s family….. God Bless….

hi hi hi recent tour by ritchie spice and burning spear ment much for me.i remembered our long gone brothers and sisters in jamaica.i wish that somebody woulld hook me up with rastafarian attire.kenya is our homeland and repatriation is a must.FREE JAH C

URE!