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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