During her recent visit to Brussels, Ukrainian star and Eurovision Song Contest 2008 representative, Ani Lorak signed a protocol of cooperation with the non-profit organisation Designers Against AIDS. Both parties have formed a plan to use Ani's participation in the largest music contest worldwide to raise awareness against the disease and discrimination against HIV positive people.
This won't be the first time Ani Lorak has used her popularity in the fight against the disease and discrimination against infected people. The Ukrainian star has already served as the UN Goodwill Ambassador for HIV/AIDS and has participated in social campaigns fighting discrimination, has donated money to hospitals and offered personal support to people suffering from AIDS.
Both Ani and the DAA believe that an event of the magnitude of the Eurovision Song Contest could very well serve asthe ideal platform for cultivating tolerance and fighting the stigma and discrimination towards HIV positive people. "Designers against AIDS are very happy and proud to have found such a strong and convincing partner in Ani Lorak", stated DAA's founder and director Ninette Murk. "The world needs to know more about this problem and we will gladly help Ani spread her message".
The creative director of DAA, Javier Barcala, will be present at Ani Lorak's press conferences in Belgrade to address the global problem of AIDS. Another part of the joint project will be the presentation in Belgrade of Ani's documentary "AIDS is not transmitted through friendship", which is currently being created specifically for Eurovision 2008
"I know, from my numerous conversations with HIV-positive people, that they need our friendship and love as much as they need our financial support", said the singer. "By raising this issue at such a popular and widely-watched event as Eurovision we will strongly promote the idea of non-discrimination on the basis of HIV-positive status".
Designers against AIDS (DAA) is a project of the non-profit organization Beauty Without Irony. Founded in 2004, DAA invites celebrities as well as fashion professionals to create designs to be used on clothing items. Ani Lorak is the first Ukrainian star to join her international peers in this cause, her name can now be found in the DAA Hall of fame alongside other well-known stars such as The Cure, Timbaland, The Scissor Sisters, Rihanna, Ziggy Marley, Hadise et al.
You can view the DAA hall of fame here.
