On 28 August 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. made his famous “I Have a Dream” speech at a huge demonstration for human rights and jobs in Washington DC. It was a watershed moment and a step another step towards global reform. Stockholm Gospel Festival will swing into Kungsträdgården this Saturday, August 24 to mark the 50th anniversary of this important event.
Over five hours of music will be performed by a variety of singers, dancers and musicians. To help commemorate the anniversary of Martin Luther King the theme of the event is Human Rights.
On Saturday participants from Sweden, Finland, Latvia, India and Zambia will take part in the festival. Together they will form a huge mass choir consisting of about 400 singers. Info about the festival’s artists can be found here. In addition to the music a number of speeches will be given by respected humanitarians.
Journalist Ragni Lantz, who wrote extensively about King during the 60’s, and Bo Forsberg, Secretary General of the development agency Diakonia, will speak about the importance of equal rights in society at the event.
On Sunday, August 25th the celebrations will continue with another gospel performance at 16:00 in the Filadelfia Church. A small admission fee will be donated to children and young people living in homelessness.
About 800 singers consisting of the Festival Mass Choir, St. Ignatius 11:30 Choir from Zambia, the Tensta Gospel Choir and hip-hop crew Panetoz amongst many others will attempt, and likely succeed, in raising the roof.
“The concert is a tribute to the speech that Martin Luther King gave 50 years ago,” says Cedwin Sandanam, Project Manager & Producer, Stockholm Gospel. “The speech was crucial for gospel music, and for the equal worth of all over the world… This makes it particularly good that the proceeds from the concert will go to Stockholm City and their work for children and young people in homelessness here in Stockholm.”
For more information about the event can be found here:
www.stockholmgospel.se
www.stadsmissionen.se/ihaveadream
