NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS GLOBAL TELEVISION COVERAGE PLANNED FOR UNITED NATIONS DAY CONCERT BY FAMOUS PORTUGUESE-SPEAKING PERFORMERS IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY HALL

Press Release

NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS GLOBAL TELEVISION COVERAGE PLANNED FOR UNITED NATIONS DAY CONCERT BY FAMOUS PORTUGUESE-SPEAKING PERFORMERS IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY HALL

Satellite, Cable Broadcast of 24 October Event to Angola,Brazil,Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal, Azores, Madeira, Sao Tome, United States

In observance of United Nations Day, a concert of Portuguese-language music will be held on Friday, 24 October, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. in the General Assembly Hall. Organized by the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI) and co-sponsored by the Permanent Mission of Portugal to the United Nations and Portuguese Public Television International (RTPi), the concert will be broadcast live to the Portuguese-speaking world. Featured artists are Dulce Pontes of Portugal, Tito Paris of Cape Verde and Carlinhos Brown of Brazil. Lisbon television personality Isabel Angelino will act as emcee.

The President of the General Assembly, Hennadiy Udovenko (Ukraine), and United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan will be present to deliver their messages for United Nations Day. Also speaking will be Marcolino Moco, Executive Secretary of the Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries.

Portuguese singer Dulce Pontes became an international star almost overnight with the release of her 1993 album, "Lágrimas". Her individualistic style, which blends passionate Portuguese ballads, known as "fado", with the tempo of contemporary rock, was introduced to United States audiences when it was featured in the movie "Primal Fear".

Bass player, guitarist and composer Tito Paris has been playing music since he was nine years old. Best known for his unique interpretations of mornas and coladeiras, the traditional sounds of his native Cape Verde, he is counted among the best-known artists in his country. His most recent album, "Graça de Tchega", received critical acclaim.

Musician/composer Carlinhos Brown traces his musical roots to the African-Brazilian rhythms of Bahia. He has performed with such Brazilian legends as Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil and Joáo Gilberto. He has also been featured on albums by United States artists Bill Laswell, Lee Ritenour and Wayne Shorter, and appeared in a scene of the movie "Speed 2", performing his hit song, "A Namorada". His most recent album is "Alfagamabetizado".

- 2 - Note No. 5478 23 October 1997

Live coverage of the event will be carried by RTPi's world satellite network, which reaches five continents. Angola's TPA, Brazil's TV Cultura and TV Educativa, Cape Verde's RTP, Guinea-Bissau's RTGB, Mozambique's TVM, Portugal's RTP2, RTP Azores and RTP Madeira, and Sao Tome's TVS will all carry the event live. In the United States, RTPi can be seen on cable television in California, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. An estimated 200 million people share Portuguese as their mother tongue.

Admission to the concert is open to anyone with a valid United Nations grounds pass.

For further information, please call (212) 963-6923. For media accreditation, call (212) 963-6934. For United Nations television coverage, call (212) 963-7650.

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