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.