Christian Aid is encouraging hundreds of thousands of people all over Britain to break the world record for drumming in venues from London to Glasgow, Manchester to Cornwall, as a protest against the support the UK government gives to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.
According to the charity, the IMF and World Bank force poor countries to open up their markets, making it hard for them to compete against countries with more money.‘The Beat Goes On’ campaign will be supported by actor Billy Boyd and Dawn Zhu, the drummer from El Presidente at T in the Park this year. Billy Boyd will be joined on the main stage by drumming troupes from Africa and Scotland.
T in the Park will call 75,000 festival goers, as one of the biggest campaigns since MAKE POVERTY HISTORY(MPH).
If more than 10,102 people drum simultaneously at midday on Saturday July 8 in the various events around the UK, a new World Record will be set. By the afternoon, T in the Park festival goers will be able to join in.
The campaign, fronted by actor Rhys Ifans (Notting Hill, The Shipping News, Enduring Love), is a continuation of last year’s MPH campaign and is intended to keep the pressure on politicians to deliver fairer trade laws for the world’s poorest countries.
Billy Boyd, star of Lord of the Rings, Master and Commander and On A Clear Day, said: "I was proud to attend last year’s MAKE POVERTY HISTORY rally in Edinburgh and it’s great to be able to support The Beat Goes On campaign."It is essential that people keep the pressure up. If we all keep drumming home the message that the world’s poorest people deserve fairer treatment than they’re getting, our leaders will be forced to listen. This is a great way, and a great time, to make some noise about the inequality in the world."
Geoff Ellis, CEO of festival organisers Big Day Out Ltd said: "T in the Park is, and will continue to be a great supporter of local charities, but this is a great chance to show that the festival is also internationally aware. We were right behind MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY last year, and this association with Christian Aid seemed like a natural extension of that. We look forward to helping the charity with their good work for many years to come."
El Presidente’s Dawn Zhu added: “As a drummer, the whole idea of The Beat Goes On really appealed to me. It’s up to all of us to keep the pressure on and make sure the momentum gathered during the year of MAKE POVERTY HISTORY keeps going. And T in the Park seems like a good place to do that.”
There is also a ‘Beat Goes On’ film which will be shown on the main screens throughout the weekend and Billy Boyd will also be giving a talk at the Christian Aid tent at around 6pm on the same day.
