ROME (voa) – The walls of Rome’s ancient Colosseum have never heard anything like this.
The hallowed structure is scheduled to host a concert for the the first time in its 2000-year history.
The “Time for Life” concert on May 11 will promote world peace, and some of the artists who perform will be from countries that have been at war with each other. Artists due to appear include U.S. singer Ray Charles, Algerian pop star Khaled, Israel’s Noa and Argentina’s Mercedes Sosa.
Rome’s mayor, Walter Vetroni, says the primary message from the concert is that people must seek peace, even when it seems impossible to achieve.
Mayors from cities around the world have been invited to attend.
The Colloseum of Rome stands 50 meters (165 feet) high and measures 185 meters (600 feet) in its longest dimension. The Colloseum was large enough to hold 50,000 roaring spectators when it was inaugurated in 80 AD.
