Tickets on Sale - Yusuf (Cat Stevens) Joins Peace One Day Concert at the O2 Arena London, 21 September 2011, Launching Countdown to Global Truce

LONDON, August 31, 2011 -

- With Photo

Tickets are now on sale for the Peace One Day O₂ Arena show [www.theo2.co.uk and www.seetickets.com] that will include artists Yusuf (Cat Stevens), Eliza Doolittle, Youssou NDour, Afroreggae, Flawless and English National Ballet. Speakers will include Denise Lewis, Jude Law, Monique Coleman and Peace One Day founder and filmmaker Jeremy Gilley.

Yusuf (Cat Stevens) is an English musician and philanthropist. He is known for writing such classics as “Father & Son”, “Wild World”, “The First Cut Is the Deepest”, “Moonshadow” and “Peace Train” as well as being awarded several accolades over the years for his work in charity and promoting global peace and unity. In 2006 he released An Other Cup, his first album of new pop songs in 28 years and his latest album Roadsinger, was released in May 2009.

The O₂ Arena concert is the biggest event yet for Gilley’s Peace One Day campaign, which in 2001 led a process that resulted in the unanimous adoption by UN member states of the first ever annual day of global ceasefire and non-violence.

This day is now fixed in the global calendar every year: 21 September is Peace Day. As well as being the biggest Peace One Day event to date, the concert on 21 September 2011 will launch the 365-day countdown to a Global Truce on Peace Day 2012. 

Jeremy Gilley said: “Peace One Day is calling for and working towards a Global Truce on Peace Day 2012. We have a clear strategy and we hope this will be the largest reduction in global violence in recorded history, both domestically and internationally. This day is as much about non-violence in our schools, our homes, workplace and local communities as it is about ceasefire on the international stage.

Everyone has a role to play. The O₂ Arena show launches a 365-day countdown to the Global Truce. Yusuf performed for POD in 2007 and I’m thrilled that he’s joining us again. I’m so grateful to all the artists for giving their time to help Peace One Day take this message to the people of the world.”

Eliza Doolittle said, “When I heard about Peace One Day, what they have achieved & what they are now going for, a Global Truce on Peace Day 2012, I had to become involved.  You can too.  Come to the O₂ Arena on 21 September this year and go to www.peaceoneday.org to find out more.  POD is a ground breaking initiative and I’m proud to be a part of it.”

The O₂ Arena show, which will be filmed in HD and broadcast internationally, is the first in a trilogy of Peace One Day concerts produced as part of the London 2012 Festival.

The second show - in Derry-Londonderry on 21 June 2012 - is the opening event of the London 2012 Festival and marks the three-month countdown to the Global Truce. The third show will take place on the day of Global Truce itself, Peace Day 21 September 2012.  Information about all consecutive shows including ticket sales and line-up will be available from the Peace One Day website www.peaceoneday.org.

Since the adoption of the Peace Day resolution in 2001, activities on 21 September have enabled families to be reunited, mosquito nets and food aid to be delivered and children to be vaccinated all over the world, as this ceasefire and non-violence day creates a window of opportunity for humanitarian efforts.

In 2007, Jeremy Gilley and Jude Law travelled to Afghanistan to spearhead an initiative that has resulted in the vaccination against polio of 4.5 million children following Peace Day agreements by all parties in the region in 2007/8/9. This work forms the culmination of Gilley’s feature documentary The Day After Peace.

“I’ve seen how Peace Day saves lives,” says Law. “Peace One Day is inviting all sectors of society to observe a Global Truce on Peace Day 21 September 2012. It’s up to all of us to get involved.”

Others who have supported Peace One Day include Annie Lennox, Kofi Annan, Ban Ki-moon, Angelina Jolie, Lenny Kravitz, Kasabian, Bryan Adams, Peter Gabriel, Yusuf (Cat Stevens), Patti Smith, Charlie Winston, Youssou NDour, Jonny Lee Miller, Joseph Fiennes, Kate Nash, Corinne Bailey Rae, Dave Stewart, Jimmy Cliff, Faithless, James Morrison, -M-, Yodelice, Vanessa Paradis, Ayo, and millions of people across the world.  

Peace One Day presents The Peace One Day Celebration 2011 “Global Truce” as part of the London 2012 Festival.

Tickets are now on sale.

To book tickets call 0844 856 0202 or 0871 231 0835

Or purchase online at www.theo2.co.uk or www.seetickets.com

Note to Editors:

A picture accompanying this release is available through the PA Photowire. It can be downloaded from www.pa-mediapoint.press.net or viewed at www.mediapoint.press.net or www.prnewswire.co.uk.

For media interviews or information please contact Felicity Hardingham at Golden Goose PR on felicity@goldengoosepr.com or +44(0)7747-445898.

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