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| Angelique Kidjo |
Declaring
that “if you want peace, you have to make peace”, the renowned African singer and activist Angélique Kidjo launched an evening of solidarity with Mali on Monday night in
Paris that attracted hundreds of supporters of the West African nation.
The event was aimed at raising awareness of the need to restore and safeguard Mali’s
centuries-old culture (see article below), following the destruction of World
Heritage sites in the city of Timbuktu and elsewhere during a year of
conflict.
“I’m here
specially to support Mali’s cause and Malian culture … and also the culture and
music of the wider African continent,” said the Benin-born star.
She said she
was particularly concerned about the plight of girls and “all the women
who suffer from violence during conflicts", with their violation seen as a weapon of war.
Kidjo, who also works as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, flew to
Paris from New York to act as host for the evening of solidarity, and she
welcomed other musicians to the stage for a poignant series of performances and
speeches.
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| Rokia Traoré |
Accompanied
only by her guitar, French-based Malian singer Rokia Traoré delivered a
haunting song that evoked aspects of the Sahara, while lute-player and vocalist
Pedro Kouyaté expressed the joyous energy of African music in his performance.
A troupe of drummers and dancers also pounded out a message of hope and
resilience.
Notably absent were Malian icon Salif Keita and the husband and wife duo Amadou & Mariam, who apparently had previous, long-standing engagements. But echoes of their music drifted through
the concert hall.
The
“solidarity evening” capped a day in which government officials and
international experts at Paris-based UNESCO, the United Nations cultural
agency, adopted an Action Plan for the “Rehabilitation of Cultural Heritage and
the Safeguarding of Ancient Manuscripts” in the country.
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| Pedro Kouyaté and band |
Carrying out
the plan will cost between 10 and 11 million dollars, officials said. It will include the digitization of Mali's priceless manuscripts and the training of professionals in culture conservation.
UNESCO has set up a special fund for donations by private and public sponsors and
intends to “send a mission on the ground to make a full assessment" as soon as the situation permits.
