Wednesday February 9, 2005

Bob Celebrated

Bruck Shewareged

The long awaited 60th birthday celebration of the reggae legend Robert (Bob) Nesta Marley officially kick started here in Addis Ababa last Tuesday with a string of events.
The month long celebration runs with the main theme of “Africa Unite” around which different events such as a music concert at Meskel square, a three day symposium at the UN conference center, a fund raising banquet at Sheraton Addis and an art and cultural exhibition are taking place..

At the opening ceremony of the birthday celebrations at the city hall on 1, January the Mayor of Addis Ababa, Arkebe Oqubay, marked the occasion by bestowing Rita Marley an honourary citizenship of the city. Upon handing over the award, Mayor Arkebe expressed his gratitude to Rita Marley for her effort in organizing and realizing the event. Cedella Marley Booker, the mother of Bob Marley who attended the event along other dignitaries performed on stage, much to the delight of an appreciative audience.

Following the ceremony, a three-day symposium entitled “Africa Unite” was held at the UN conference center deliberating on the theme of Bob Marley’s three songs - Africa Unite, No woman No Cry, and Redemption Song.

A fund raising banquet was also held at Sheraton Addis Friday night with the proceeds going to constructing youth centers in different parts of the country of which the first one will be in Addis. During the banquet, two books on Marley were auctioned and Makush Gallery displayed paintings by several artists.

A photographic exhibition depicting the life of Bob Marley was also opened on Februaryt ,3 which will be cl;osed on February 10 at the Addis Ababa Exhibition Center.
The limelight of the celebratory events is expected to take place today at Meskel square where musicians from Ethiopia and abroad will stage a performance.