An upcoming Bryan Adams concert in Zimbabwe is generating a sizable helping of controversy.
Adams has received criticism for his upcoming concert in Zimbabwe’s capital Harare. The issue is that Friday’s sold out concert may be seen as an endorsement of the regime of the country’s president Robert Mugabe.
“It’s inappropriate at this moment in time for international musical icons to perform in Zimbabwe,”; noted Human Rights Watch senior researcher Dewa Mavhinga. “It might send the wrong message that Zimbabwe has come right and there is a basis for international co-operation to resume when there is not. Zimbabwe is going backwards and I hope there is still time for Bryan Adams to cancel.”;
Bryan Adams is the highest profile Western musical act to play Zimbabwe in years. The decision to play the concert has been defended by Adams’ manager Bruce Allen.
“Bryan is an international artist with a worldwide audience, whether it is Pakistan or Vietnam or Zimbabwe,”; said Allen in a email to The Globe & Mail. “To paraphrase what he has said over the course of his 30-plus year career, ‘Everywhere he goes, kids wanna rock.’ Music will, I hope, always remain a universal language.”;
The concert is set to take place on January 24.
via The Guardian
