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July
1, 2005
Tromsø, Norway rocks with "46664" concert
SIKU CIRCUMPOLAR NEWS SERVICE
More than 15,000 people watched stars including Annie Lennox, former Led Zeppelin
front man Robert Plant and Peter Gabriel perform in Tromsø, Norway on
June 14.
Nelson Mandela, the 86-year-old former South African president, hosted the
concert, which was sponsored by Norway's parliament, as part of his "46664"
anti-AIDS campaign. "46664" refers to Mandela's prison number during
his 27 years in jail under apartheid.
Mandela smiled and waved from a giant outdoor stage by the sea and snow-capped
mountains.
"This has indeed been a long journey from Johannesburg in South Africa
to Tromsø in Norway. But we are pleased to be here. Tonight, the people
of Tromsø can stand tall and proud. In hosting this concert, you have
signaled to the world that you care," Mandela said. "In joining you
in Tromsø, we have brought Africa to you. Even though there is a great
distance between our lands, we know that we share a common humanity. This week
the people of Tromsø have demonstrated this common humanity."
Mandela said Tromsø would become the first ambassador city for his 46664
movement.
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