She Has Been Released: Bono Serenades Aung San Suu Kyi in Dublin

This past Monday, June 18 in Dublin, Bono (with others) co-presided over the Amnesty International “Ambassador of Conscience” Award presentation to democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi. In addition to the ceremonial aspects, the “Electric Burma” event was a rousing concert that included Bono singing solo (the rest of U2 were not onstage) acoustic versions with accompaniment from Damien Rice and others.

In media reports, Bono spoke glowingly of the events. “I’m star-struck,” the singer emoted. Reflecting more on Aung San Suu Kyi, Bono expounded, “It’s really her nonviolent position that I find so impressive, because perhaps I find it hard to fathom. I think she will be remembered for that kind of spiritual insight really, as much as the sort of nitty-gritty of her politics, because she’s a tough customer, too.”

In the concert, with Rice on guitar, Bono performed touching versions of “Walk On” (link to video: http://youtu.be/Sl081Q5JfD4)  and “One.” He also joined rousing ensemble versions of such Amnesty staples as Bob Dylan’s “I Shall Be Released” and Bob Marley’s “Get Up Stand Up.” Lots of flashes from Twitter from that night can be found by searching the hashtag #electricburma.