Bono – who probably won't be at next year's Festival – had an article in yesterdays NY Times listing 10 ideas for the future.
Our favourite idea is the Festival of Abraham:
Here’s something that could never have happened in the Naughts but will maybe be possible in the Tweens or Teens — if there’s a breakthrough in the Mideast peace process. The idea is an arts festival that celebrates the origin of the three Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Every year it could be held in a different location; Jerusalem would obviously be the best place to start.
In Ireland, at the height of the “Troubles,” it was said that the only solution for rabid sectarianism was to let 1,000 punk-rock bands bloom: music helped create a free space for dialogue (of a high-volume variety). So no politicians allowed. Artists only.
Read more over here.
January 5th, 2010 at 2:36 am
A great idea. :-) There's just a few things that need to happen before it can happen…… ;-)
January 7th, 2010 at 3:01 am
All things are possible. There is hope, and a desire I hear for this to happen. Where do I sign up? :-)
January 13th, 2010 at 1:27 pm
The people in those faiths who would be open to the idea don't need it. Those belivers who would be utterly closed to the idea because they see the others as heretics, pagans, unbelievers or 'kufr', and the event as unholy compromise, are the very ones who could benefit from it. This is an unfortunate contradiction. I think the same thing happens on a smaller scale within Christendom with regards to Greenbelt.
January 27th, 2010 at 8:55 pm
This idea has been around since at least 2000 so it's definitely one for the long now. I hope and pray that it does happen in our lifetime and that Bono is able to keep a commitment that I believe he made that he would bring the band along. Art can transform.