MEDIA RELEASE PR35950
Celebrate Libya Sees Olympic-Scale Success While World Watches On
TRIPOLI, Libya, September 3 /PRNewswire-Asianet/ --
Dignitaries from around the world gathered in Tripoli's Green
Park last night to witness what has been one of Africa's largest, most
successful and most spectacular events in history. The celebration marked the
40th Anniversary of the Al Fateh Revolution on the precise date that had seen
the unpopular King Idris deposed following the country's liberation from
Italy. Guests joined Muammar Al Gaddafi, Brotherly Leader and Guide of the
Revolution, for a full schedule of activities from a military parade to an
exclusive Iftar dinner and opening ceremony designed to bring to life Libya's
rich history and culture.
Military precision
The celebrations launched with a perfectly executed military
parade involving troops from countries across the world. African nations such
as Senegal and Algeria participated alongside European countries including
Italy and Ukraine, marching to music and bearing their national flags. Troops
from Greece and the French Foreign legion also participated. The soldiers
were followed by a full artillery of military vehicles, from trucks to tanks,
some carrying and anti-aircraft weaponry while naval vessels passed by
offshore. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, King Abdullah of Jordan, Emir
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani from Qatar, Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah
al-Ahmed al-Sabah, Tunisia's President Ben Ali, Algeria's President Abdelaziz
Boutaflika, Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh, Benin's President Karekou
were amongst the VIP audience as the Frecce Tricolori, Italian acrobatic
planes, flew in formation over the parade ground and around Tripoli's
beautiful coastline.
VIP Iftar
Close by dignitaries made their way a specially designed
dining area, constructed to float atop the water of the Red Castle lake. A
lantern-lit path from the bank of the lake to the VIP iftar was created in
front of the Red Castle outer wall onto which unique projections were placed.
The projections mark the beginning of what is known as 'Libya by Light', a
week-long schedule of Libya inspired images across six of the country's key
cities. Some of the best international brands were brought in to offer a new
dimension to the proceedings; the meal itself was designed and prepared by
acclaimed Parisian restaurant Le Notre and guests were given limited edition
gold Chopard watches with outline of Africa on the face and a diamond marking
Libya within it.
Libya takes to the stage
As hundreds of performers prepared themselves for their grand
debut on what is considered by organizers to be one of the largest tent-like
stages to have ever been constructed, dignitaries arrived in golf kart
manufactured by the likes of Hummer and Cadillac. Joined by the Leader's
family, further guests attended the opening ceremony included Turkey first
lady, Prime Minister, Amina Erdogan, Ukrainian Prime Minister Ioulia
Tymochenko, French Minister for Co-operation Alain Joyandet and the President
of Chad Idriss Deby and the President of Niger Mamadou Tandja. And the show
certainly impressed; acrobats, lasers, projections and illuminated sculptures
of animals all came together to give the show a sense of style, grandeur and
magic.
The story of Libya was told using a combination of dance,
music and lights starting from the earliest days of Libyan civilization
through to modern times. Sheshonq, a pharaoh of Libyan origin emerged from
the towering sphinx to crowds of awestruck 'followers'. The full height of
the huge stage was alive with movement as aerial displays of acrobatics
depicted both the beauty of Libyan nature and the Great Man-Made River and
the architectural splendor of Libya's ancient occupiers.
During the performance mounted horsemen also galloped across
the stage, adding a very visual dimension to the story of Omar Al Mukhtar,
the revolutionary attributed with leading the Libyan people in a revolt
against the Italians. This visionary leader, played by Anthony Quinn in
celebrated filmed Lion of the Desert, opened a section of films highlighting
milestones in modern Libyan times. Never before seen photos of the Leader's
private life and family showed a lesser seen side of Gaddafi over the years,
viewed by all on full size screens on stage. Images of Libya both past and
present were projected onto screens of water before a Volkswagen Beetle was
driven on stage, representing an early trip taken across Libya by the Leader.
Audiences were also given the opportunity to relive through archive footage
the many highlights of the Leader's forty years, his challenges and
successes, the central idea of his Third Universal Theory, the Green Book,
and his first communique announcing the establishment of the republic in
1969, replacing the monarchy.
Celebrate Africa
A celebration of Africa was a core part of the performance,
with lively dancing, costume, colour and singing. Giant illuminated African
animal structures glowed in the darkness of the street representing the
diversity of African wildlife. It was also during this celebration of Africa
that a new monument to Africa and its Union was unveiled on Tripoli's
'corniche', with African national flags uncurling with dramatic precision and
timing.
The celebration closed with a spectacular firework display, launched from
ships offshore. The show's grand finale was a spectacular fireworks display
orchestrated by the French company, Group F, who are credited with some of
the most impressive light displays including the Eiffel Tower's Millennium
Celebrations. Lasting over seven minutes, the 2,500 fireworks stunned crowds
of people as well as guests closing the awe-inspiring opening celebration.
The grand celebration sets in motion a week of unprecedented events
scheduled to sweep through the country in an effort to introduce some of
Libya national treasures to the world. Surrounded by the Sahara dunes, in
Ghadames, VIPs will witness tribal touareg horse shows accompanied by
traditional music and dance. The location will also host the largest fleet of
hot air balloons launched, with each of the 40 proudly displaying an African
country flag. Concerts featuring both international and Arab music will be
set in some of the world's best preserved sites of world heritage such as
Leptis Magna and Sabratha, while images and lights will be projected on
monuments in cities across the country.
With Celebrate Libya, attention has been brought to bear on
the nation with so much to offer. International investors had already long
been eyeing Libya and its emerging industries. Ranked as the second
wealthiest country in Africa and the continent's largest oil producer, the
'Gateway to Africa' has already privatized more than 100 companies in the
last six years in industries including oil refining, tourism and real estate,
with 29 of them being 100 percent foreign owned.
The government anticipates tourist arrivals to reach ten
million within eleven years and major contracts for hotels to accommodate
them are increasingly underway. With decades of sanctions, Libya's five
UNESCO World Heritage sites have laid hidden yet magnificently preserved. The
ruins are some of the largest outside of Rome, and cities throughout the
country exhibit remnants of Phoenician, Greek, Ottoman and Byzantine
conquests. Last night's celebrations offered at least a glimpse into the
country's rich 14,000 year history.
For access to full media materials, visit
materials and images throughout the week's events
Contact:
- Bushra Hamwi
- Rebecca Farquhar
- Luiza Carter
- Jordana Tasker - +218-917171294
Or celebratelibya@greybeirut.com
SOURCE: Celebrate Libya
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