YASUS AFARI
Yasus Afari literally means 'The Creator's Gift of Vision'. Through his Dub Poetry, Reggae Music, Story Telling, Comedy and other creative talents YASUS has been inspiring, touching lives, edutaining and uplifting people through the Caribbean, Africa, USA, Brazil, Columbia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and Japan.
Jamaica Making History in Australia
Jamaican Rastafarian Dub Poet Ambassador Yasus Afari stunned and inspired international delegates at the Parliament of the World's Religions held at the newly constructed Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre in South Australia with his much anticipated presentation, inspired by his book 'Overstanding Rastafari: Jamaica's Gift to the World'. Yasus Afari gave gutsy multi media presentations which challenged the Parliament relating to it's responsibilities to the World Communities.
Yasus Afari became the first Rastafarian to be included at the Parliament of World Religions since it started in 1893. Participants from 80 countries representing over 200 Religious and Faith based perspectives focused on the twin themes 'Hearing One Another' and 'Healing the Earth' see www.parliamentofreligions.org
As one of the Parliaments 100 Ambassadors Yasus Afari was given the honour and responsibility to lead in preparations and ongoing discussions about the work of the Parliament. Yasus Afari was also one of a small group of authors invited to take part in the Parliament's Book Launch sessions and was delighted to find that he was supported by a group of Californian Jamaicans amongst the diverse range in the audience at the well attended session, which saw the Parliament's launch of 'Overstanding Rastafari: Jamaica's Gift to the World', along with author Anand Krishna, who complemented Yasus on his presentation, saying that he was a very hard act to follow, while supporting and endorsing 110% the message that Yasus brought, before adding some details about his personal life and struggles.
On the only day of the Parliament to bring much needed rain to the parched Melbourne area, Yasus Afari's 'Rastafari: the Livity of Spirituality' also brought a breath of fresh air to the deliberations and presentations. There was a hush pregnant with anticipation as Yasus Afari stepped up to the podium, elegantly dressed in white, red, green and gold. 'Jah RASTAFARI. How Excellent is Thy Name' resounded from the speakers as Yasus eased into his hour and a half presentation with Jews, Muslims, Christians and Indigenous peoples all in attendance. Yasus presentation was punctuated by carefully selected Reggae tracks including 'Truth and Rights', 'Exodus' and 'One Love'.
The Q&A segment brought forward intriguing and interesting points and this was followed by Book and CD signings. Yasus Afari then prepared for an 'Open Space' session to present 'Revolution Chapter1' with poetry, reasoning and music. All the religions represented tuned into the revolutionary and uplifting Rastafari performance presentation. Buddhists, Christians, Jews and many others joined together to dance to Yasus Afari's well loved signature 'Essence' - the power of the music drawing peoples together with music so irresistible that conventions were swept aside and faiths were bridged together.
Word circulated in the Parliament and the energy in the air attracted a good gathering for the final evening event showcasing Yasus Afari 'Up Close and Personal', featuring fellow poet Carla from US, a gesture much appreciated by the audience and Aboriginal Didgeridoo player Russell from 'Building Bridges' thrilled the audience with a good set.
Yasus Afari presented the full range of his work and even included his favourite 'Patwah Taakin' which Yasus explained no one would understand! Vocal signatures as pledges were added to the poem 'The Earth is our Friend' by all delegates after a moving rendition by Yasus. Again 'Essence' climaxed the show bringing the Youths and elders together to dance in a circle, repeating by request after a statement of solidarity by Palestinian and Israeli delegates, as well as a Muslim from Sri Lanka and representatives of other faiths. This circle was dubbed the 'Circle of Renewal' by Yasus and the Youths left chanting 'Jah is the Essence of my life' fuelling the claim that the Rastafarian presentations had realised the aim of 'Hearing one another'.
On the Parliament's final day Yasus made a presentation of his best selling book 'Overstanding Rastafari: Jamaica's Gift to the World' to the incoming Chairman of the Council of the World's Parliament with a pledge to continue explorations into the potential of hosting the 2014 Parliament in Kingston, Jamaica, as part of the Parliament’s Partner Cities Network.
On his stop over in UK Yasus Afari led a post Parliament event at the University of Birmingham and with film footage in the can for a documentary about this latest World Tour organised by 'Learning Links International', Yasus returned to Jamaica on 17th December to focus on 'Poetry in Motion' his Annual Showcase in February 2010 featuring the best in Spoken Word Poetry.
Kindly visit www.yasusafari.biz.
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