Sunday, October 9, 2011

The Arch gets his groove on


The launch of Tutu: The Authorised Portrait took place on Thursday at St George's Cathedral in Cape Town. Upon arrival the Arch was presented with a Tibetan scarf by a representative of the Dalai Lama which he wore throughout the event.

Mpho Tutu, daughter and co-author, commenced proceedings with a prayer (I mean how else do you start a book launch for an archbishop?!). 

Followed by Bono, who officially launched the book.

And then sang "I still haven't found what I'm looking for" to the Arch, backed by the Soweto Gospel Choir. Allister Sparks, co-author also spoke and took the opportunity to once again castigate the government for not granting the Dalai Lama a visa to attend Tutu's birthday celebrations, calling it "a disgraceful insult". 

Artists from the Philani Clinic, of whom Tutu is patron, then presented the fresco we commissioned based on the cover image of the book to Tutu, followed by more performances from the Soweto Gospel Choir. 

There were some hilarious moments – Tutu didn't think the artists had painted his nose big enough and his Elvis-like dance moves had everyone up and dancing in the aisles. The event concluded with personal thanks from Tutu to everyone involved in making the book, including a lovely tribute to PQB.

The event was covered by all major media outlets and coverage in Friday's newspapers was blanket in South Africa as well as making most international media.

All in all it was the most joyous book launch Geoff or I have ever attended, truly a special experience and I couldn't think of a better way to dive back into work. A pretty awesome start to re-immersing myself in work.

If anyone's interested in the media links I have listed them here. Mr K (seen here with Arch and a visitor from the Hawke's Bay) and I even made the BBC!

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