• Press Release

Unprecedented Dublin Concert Celebrates Life and Work of Aung San Suu Kyi; Features All-Star Line-Up of Artists, Musicians and Actors

June 8, 2012

Bono to Present Nobel Laureate with Amnesty International's Prestigious 'Ambassador of Conscience Award' at 'Electric Burma'

Diverse Roster to Include Bob Geldof, Damien Rice, Lupe Fiasco, Angelique Kidjo and Many Others

Contact: Sharon Singh, [email protected], 202-675-8579, @spksingh

(Washington, D.C.) — Artists from all corners of the globe will be on hand for Electric Burma: A Concert for Aung San Suu Kyi, slated for Monday, June 18 at Dublin’s Bord Gáis Energy Theatre. Organized and promoted by Bill Shipsey, the extraordinary event is a celebration of Nobel Peace Prize recipient and leader of the National League for Democracy in Burma, Aung San Suu Kyi.

While box office tickets sold out within 20 minutes of the concert’s announcement, a limited number of Premium Packages are still available. For details, please visit www.electricburma.com. All profits from Electric Burma will go to Amnesty International and the Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Trust for Health and Education.

"The unprecedented interest in Electric Burma and the demand for tickets is a testimony to the affection of the Irish people for Aung San Suu Kyi," says Shipsey, founder of Amnesty International's global artist engagement program, Art For Amnesty. "Her courage and leadership have been a source of inspiration not only to people in Ireland, but to all those who value democracy, freedom of speech and an end to military rule."

During the concert, Aung San Suu Kyi's acceptance of Amnesty International’s prestigious Ambassador of Conscience Award, conferred on individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership in the fight to protect and promote human rights. Longtime Amnesty International campaigner Bono, who initially announced Aung San Suu Kyi as an Ambassador of Conscience during U2’s 2009 concert at Dublin’s Croke Park, will make the presentation. Previous recipients of the Ambassador of Conscience Award have included Václav Havel, Mary Robinson, Nelson Mandela, Peter Gabriel and U2.

A stunning array of artists from the worlds of music, cinema, art and dance will also take the stage. Iconic performers and activists include Bob Geldof, Damien Rice, Angelique Kidjo, Lupe Fiasco, Vanessa Redgrave, Jack Gleeson (of HBO’s Game of Thrones), legendary Irish musician Donal Lunny, who will perform with singer/songwriter Yungchen Lhamo, violinist Sarah Nemtanu, cellist Vyvienne Long, pianist Romain Descharmes and Ireland's own Riverdance. Additional artists will be announced in the coming week.

Global artist Lupe Fiasco commented, "I feel honored to be a part of history in celebrating Aung San Suu Kyi's long and graceful road to freedom. Ms. Suu Kyi is a living testament that justice and democracy can actually prevail and I look forward to celebrating this monumental occasion with Amnesty International and the world."

Electric Burma will further include a very special live performance of "Toast To Freedom," the new and exclusive commemorative song celebrating the 50th anniversary of Amnesty International. The unique multi-artist rendition will feature an all-star band led by the song's writer, veteran guitarist/producers Carl Carlton (Robert Palmer, Eric Burdon, Keb Mo).

As if all that weren’t enough, a noteworthy roster of talent is also involved behind the scenes. Electric Burma is co-produced by Grammy Award-winner Jerry “Wonda” Duplessis (U2, The Black Eyed Peas, T.I.), while the event will be filmed by Dig For Fire founder Natalie Johns, an acclaimed broadcaster, director and creative executive known for her work with such superstars as Jay-Z, Peter Gabriel and The Rolling Stones. In addition, renowned Catalan artist and filmmaker Lluís Danés has especially created the concert’s artistic direction and set design.

Electric Burma is being held to mark Aung San Suu Kyi’s first trip to Europe in more than two deades. The European visit will see the Burmese opposition politician and general secretary of the National League for Democracy (NLD) accept at long last the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize she received while imprisoned or under house arrest for almost 15 of the last 21 years. Suu Kyi was only recently granted a passport by the Burmese government, allowing her to travel abroad for the first time since 1988.

More than just a celebration of Aung San Suu Kyi’s remarkable life's work, Electric Burma also stands as an important opportunity to echo the powerful message that she and Amnesty International have long supported: that human rights matter.

For complete information, please see www.electricburma.com.

Amnesty International is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning grassroots activist organization with more than 3 million supporters, activists and volunteers in more than 150 countries campaigning for human rights worldwide. The organization investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes the public, and works to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied.