When Aung San Suu Kyi arrives in Dublin on Monday to attend the “Electric Burma” concert and to receive the Amnesty International Ambassador of Conscience Award from U2 singer Bono, she will be half way through her European tour, with Oxford, London and Paris to follow.
Before leaving for Dublin, Suu Kyi and Bono joined other speakers at the Losby Gods retreat just outside Oslo to discuss "the role of dialogue in transition," focusing on the sweeping changes in Burma. The aim of the meeting "is to share practical experience of mediating between parties in conflict," said Norway's foreign ministry.
Other guests included Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt, Burma's Minister of Industry Soe Thane, and the president of the think-tank International Crisis Group, Louise Arbour, who is also a former U.N. human rights chief.
The Dublin concert will include stars from films, dance, the theater and music, all anxious to bask in the glow of Suu Kyi’s international acceptance as a human rights and peace advocate. Her European tour as been called a “Mandela moment” by many observers.
When Suu Kyi leaves Oslo on Monday, she will fly to Dublin aboard Bono's private jet, a Norwegian foreign ministry official said. After the concert, around 5,000 people are expected at a public event to sing "happy birthday" to Suu Kyi, who turns 67 on Tuesday.
Actress Vanessa Redgrave, folk singer Damien Rice, singer-songwriter Declan O'Rourke, American rapper Lupe Fiasco and Bob Geldof are some of the entertainers scheduled to appear at the concert.
Tickets for 'Electric Burma' sold out within 20 minutes last week.
When she arrives in Dublin, Suu Kyi will be greeted by the Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Eamon Gilmore, and later be welcomed by President Michael D Higgins. Immediately after the “Electric Burma” concert, Dublin Lord Mayor Andrew Montague and Amnesty International will host a second open-air concert, according to the Independent newspaper.
She is expected to address the crowd briefly before signing Dublin's Roll of Honorary Freedom. Her Dublin visit is limited to six hours.
Executive director of Amnesty International Ireland, Colm O'Gorman, said in a statement:, “Aung San Suu Kyi's visit is a truly momentous occasion for everyone in Ireland, and throughout the world, who campaigned tirelessly for her release for more than 20 years.”
From Dublin, Suu Kyi will go to Oxford University to accept an honoury doctorate degree from her alma mater. Her deceased husband taught at the university for many years. She will then deliver a speech to a joint session of the British Parliament before traveling to Paris.
