Even after death, Maestro Luciano Pavarotti continues his mission of a devoted humanitarian.
With the help of Pavarotti’s widow, Nicoletta Mantovani, and under the patronage of Princess Haya Bint al Hussein of Jordan and U.N. Messenger of Peace, a grand tribute concert will be held in the picturesque archaeological site of Petra, Jordan, on Oct.11 and 12.
Some of the world’s most famous classical and pop stars will appear at the charity event, among them Sting, Andrea Bocelli, Jovanotti, Zucchero, Laura Pausini, Cynthia Lawrence, and Roberto Alagna; the concert will be conducted by Maestro Eugene Kohn.
All proceeds from the charity concert will be donated to projects in Afghanistan, run by the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the U.N. World Food Programme (WFP). The government of Italy will also support the event by extending a donation of euro 2.1 million through the Italian Cooperation for Development.
Starting Jan. 2009, the one-year, more than $5.5 million project will focus on helping Afghans who return from abroad rebuild their ruined lives. After more than 20 years of war, the country is one of the poorest in the world and urgently needs recovery funds. More than 5 million Afghans now have difficulty making ends meet and lack even basic services like hospitals and schools.
The two U.N. agencies will provide a way for the returnees to improve their living standard by constructing shelters, kindergartens, and schools. They will also give technical assistance by holding educational sessions on literacy, human rights, agriculture, etc. In particular, WFP will help the Afghans secure food and jobs.
Pavarotti’s Humanitarian Mission
Pavarotti never gave up his passion to help people in trouble. He hosted the “Pavarotti and Friends” charity concerts annually in his home town of Modena, Italy. Singers like Eric Clapton, Elton John, Sting, Bono, Sheryl Crow, and Jon Bon Jovi supported these concerts to raise money for several U.N. causes.
During the war in Bosnia, Pavarotti initiated the project Pavarotti Music Center in Mostar with the aim of helping local artists improve their skills. For this contribution, he was made honorary citizen of Sarajevo in 2006.
For over a decade until his last breath in September last year, the renowned “Three Tenors” star actively supported UNHCR projects in Kosovo, Pakistan, Zambia, and Iraq. He received UNHCR’s Nansen Refugee Award and was named a U.N. Messenger of Peace for his diligent endeavors in refugee causes.
