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Jackson honoured at awards held in Austrian nuclear plant
2009-07-24
VIENNA (AFP) - Stars gathered at a mothballed nuclear plant in northern Austria Friday evening for the "Save the World Awards," paying a special tribute to the late Michael Jackson. The open-air event, honouring organisations and people "working toward a sustainable and liveable future for our planet and its people," was hosted by actress Andie MacDowell. Awards were to be given out in such categories as climate, tolerance, education, and hunger and poverty. Entertainers and athletes including former US sprinter Carl Lewis and Nobel peace laureate Betty Williams mubbed shoulders with charity workers. The event was held under the slogan "Heal the World," after the title of one of Jackson's hit songs. Jackson's brother Jermaine was also present at the ceremony, where he was to perform Michael's favourite song "Smile" and receive a posthumous award honouring the self-proclaimed King of Pop for his "many social and humanitarian engagements, but also... his incredible musical legacy." Presenting itself as a "green event," the award show emphasised its use of renewable energy, organic catering and environmentally-friendly decor. Founded by former Austrian journalist Georg Kindel, the first-time event was held at the Zwentendorf nuclear plant in Upper Austria, which was completed but never made operational, and which is now being turned into a solar power station. Kindel was also behind the World Awards and Women's World Awards, which have honoured such personalities as Richard Branson, Queen Noor of Jordan, Steven Spielberg, Jose Carreras and Ingrid Betancourt.
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