Birhan Woldu became one of the most recognized faces and forms of the late 20th century after her skeletal image was broadcast at the end of Live Aid to publicize famine in Africa. Although Live Aid, led by musicians such as Bob Geldof and Bono, raised millions for famine relief, most people thought Birhan was dead – until, that is, she was 'rediscovered' by Canadian journalist Brian Stewart, who helped fund her schooling and helped change her life. Twenty years later, Birhan once again became a symbol of hope for Africa when she appeared on stage at Live 8 with Madonna and Geldof in front of millions. But how did she get to that point? Journalist Oliver Harvey tells Birhan's life story – from the days of famine and war in Ethiopia when her father literally carried Birhan and her sister on his shoulders more than 900 km on an epic journey to life, to Live Aid and the years of struggle between. This is a truly inspirational story of triumph over extreme adversity. The ongoing crisis in East Africa makes this book extremely topical and important. New Holland is donating proceeds from the book to Oxfam's DEC East Africa Crisis Appeal.
Оглавление
Oliver Harvey. Feed the World: Birhan Woldu and Live Aid
Feed the World. Birhan Woldu and Live Aid. Oliver Harvey. Foreword by. Bob Geldof
CONTENTS
FOREWORD. by. BOB GELDOF
AUTHOR PREFACE
PROLOGUE
GARDEN OF EDEN
THE LAND AND THE SKY COLLIDE
THE CLOSEST THING TO HELL ON EARTH
IN THE LONG GRASS
15 MINUTES TO LIVE
DO THEY KNOW IT’S CHRISTMAS?
EXODUS
AND THE LESSON TODAY IS HOW TO DIE..
LIFE AFTER DEATH
AN INSPIRATION TO MILLIONS
OUT OF THE DARKNESS, INTO THE LIGHT
EPILOGUE
GLOSSARY
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OLIVER HARVEY is Chief Feature Writer
at the British newspaper The Sun. He was the joint winner of the Hugh Cudlipp Award in 2005 and was named Reporter of the Year in 2006 at the British Press Awards.
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There had been the emotional meeting with then British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Geldof in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa. This in turn led to the re-recording of the Band Aid single ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ The impetus from the song was a factor in pushing an initially unenthusiastic Geldof to get behind a concert on the anniversary of Live Aid. Since then Birhan, Bisrat and I had become good friends.
As they emerged from the glare of billions, the relief was huge. We hugged in disbelief, our eyes prickling as the tears welled. When Birhan had enthusiastically agreed to appear at the concert she couldn’t possibly have imagined the scale of the occasion. She said she wanted to do it because she knew what it was like to be starving hungry and didn’t want other African children to suffer like she had done. Her composure and grace had been astonishing and humbling. Despite outward appearances, she admitted her heart had been fluttering as she waited backstage with all the pop stars. The devout Ethiopian Orthodox Christian had put herself in the hands of the Lord as she had throughout her tumultuous life. With the eyes of the world on her, she had found strength.
