Reggae Star Alpha Blondy in Israel

The cultural scene in Israel is exciting. Not just with our local artists, but also due to the many foreign artists visiting The Holy Land.

This week it is the turn of Reggae star Alpha Blondy from Cote D’Ivoire (Ivory Coast). Alpha Blondy is not just a internationally renown reggae singer, but also a social activist in his home country and around the world. He used his music in activism against apartheid, social injustice and warcrimes, especially during the civil war in Ivory Coast.

Blondy has been her before, but this time he came with his wife, Ran Young Hong Kone, who has never visited Israel. One of the first places that Blondy wants to take her is to Jerusalem, and in particular to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. This is where Blondy met Jesus, or as he calls him ‘my big brother Jesus’.

Blondy is here not just as a tourist but to perform at the inauguration of the African Center in the University of Ben Gurion, in Beersheva. The inauguration is a two-day event, and one of the songs that Blondy is planning to sing is his tribute to Yitzhak Rabin z”l, assassinated in 1995. He also intends to perform “Jerusalem”, a song he wrote in 1985 after his first visit.

“Jerusalem” at live concert July 2008

Article Source:  Ha’aretz Israeli Daily Newspaper in English