It has been announced that a gala concert to mark the 80th birthday of international elder statesman Mikhail Gorbachev and raise £5 million for children’s charities will be held at London’s Royal Albert Hall next March.
The concert and fund-raising campaign was launched by Mr Gorbachev’s grand-daughters, Ksenia Gorbacheva and Anastasia Virganskaya, at a press conference at the Royal Albert Hall.
The Nobel Peace Prize winner, one of the most transformational figures of the 20th century and regarded globally as ‘the man who changed the world’, will turn 80 in March 2011.
Taking part in the fund-raising campaign and concert celebrations will be politicians and world leaders including former British Prime Minister, Sir John Major and former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder. Also taking part will be former French Prime Minister Michel Rocard, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor of California and Friede Springer, of German publishing house Axel Springer, with more expected to add their support shortly.
The first celebrities to lend their names and support to the campaign include stars such as U2's Bono, Jose Carreras, Hugh Grant, Elizabeth Hurley, Alan Rickman, songwriter and producer Magnus Fiennes, and his film director sister Martha Fiennes with more names to be announced in the coming weeks.
Ksenia Gorbacheva, speaking at the press conference in London, said. “Mikhail Gorbachev is recognised around the world as one of the towering figures of 20th century. He truly is the man who changed the world, bringing the Cold War to an end and helping to bring democracy to Eastern Europe. I'm very proud to be able to celebrate my grandfather's 80th birthday with the world next year and honour his remarkable achievements.”
The concert, on March 30 2011, will be the culmination of a six month fund-raising drive to raise £5m for children’s cancer charities in the UK and Russia. It is being organised by Gorby 80 Ltd on behalf of the Gorbachev Foundation, the organisation established by the former Soviet leader to promote democracy and support humanitarian causes.
Tickets will be priced to suit every budget, beginning at £35 and rising to £100,000 for 33 exclusive boxes with dinner and specially commissioned Gorby 80 memorabilia. Leonid Schlachover, General Producer of Gorby 80 Ltd, said: “Mr Gorbachev is one of the most admired and respected world leaders and the biggest names in pop, classical music and art want to be part of his birthday celebrations. This will be a truly star-studded event with performers from Russia and the West making it a fantastic evening to remember – tickets are going to sell like gold dust so make sure you get yours first! The concert will feature both classical artists and modern pop bands. The evening will be split into seven phases to mark important milestones in Mr Gorbachev’s life including his childhood, route to power, perestroika, international peace efforts and charity work.
As well as the Royal Albert Hall concert in March 2011, the birthday celebrations will include a photography exhibition in Berlin of never-before-seen images of Mr Gorbachev’s life. The exhibition is supported by the Gorbachev Foundation and Bild newspaper of Germany. It will start on February 25th 2011 and run for two months.
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