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 Outspoken Côte d’Ivorian reggae singer Tiken Jah Fakoly has been awarded the first ever Freemuse Award. The award is given to Tiken for denouncing political corruption and oppression. He 'has become an idol for millions of Africans who feel disenfranchised and repressed' said a press release by Freemuse. Freemuse is the world's only international organisation advocating musicians and composers’ right to freedom of expression.Tiken Jah Fakoly will be officially presented with the Freemuse Award by Marie Korpe onstage after his free outdoor gig at the Festival of World Cultures on Saturday 23 August. His gig commences at 5:45 pm on the Newtownsmith Main Stage. Statements Tiken Jah Fakoly commented on the acceptance of his award: “This award touches me a lot since it’s like an international acknowledgement. It is acts such as this that encourage me and provide credibility and strength to my fight for peace, justice and equality.” Marie Korpe, Freemuse's Executive Director said: “We believe that Tiken is a brilliant representative for the fight for freedom of expression that Freemuse stands for. The popularity of his music and lyrics shows how important music is as a ‘people’s media’ in Africa and how musicians can play a transnational role as ‘truth sayer’ as well as a ‘media of conscience’.” Jody Ackland, Artistic Director of the Festival of World Cultures said: “It is a great honour to have Tiken Jah Fakoly play at the festival this year and a great pleasure to be able to host his acceptance of this prestigious Freemuse award. We would like to take this opportunity to applaud the strength and conviction of this hugely talented artist and also to acknowledge the work that Freemuse does to support and raise awareness of suppressed musicians and artists around the world.” Banned and exiled Tiken Jah Fakoly has been threatened, banned and exiled from his home country of the Cóte d’Ivoire, but has never compromised. In December 2007, he was declared 'persona non grata' in Senegal after criticising Senegal's president and calling for democracy. Foundation of Swedish rock singer The Freemuse Award is sponsored by the Björn Afzelius International Culture Foundation, which was initiated in memory of Swedish rock singer Björn Afzelius who died 1999. Afzelius was a strong spokesman for suppressed people throughout the world. Ireland’s largest global music festival The Festival of World Cultures opens this Friday, 22 August. The festival is Ireland’s largest global music festival. Entertaining audiences in excess of 250,000 this Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County council event features artists from 60 countries in 40 venues over the three-day period. Related items             |
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