Ibrahim Maiga

Ibrahim Maiga, also known as Ibi Maiga,[1][2][3] born in Mali in 1963 or 1964,[4] is a non-ethnic Slovak singer, actor, comedian and politician.[5][6] The BBC describes him as "celebrity in Slovakia".[7]

He moved to what was then Czechoslovakia in the late 1980s, as a student, and subsequently obtained Slovak citizenship. He "quickly bec[ame] famous as a singer and actor".[8] The BBC describes him as "a well-known figure" through his "infectious humour and songs about his homeland Mali".[9]

He stood as a candidate for the European Parliament at the 2009 elections, representing the Party of the Democratic Left (SDL).[10][11] As a pro-European, he has stated: "Particularly now, in a time of crisis, we see how important the European Union is. Without its existence, several States might have suffered collapse".[12] Explaining his choice to run for the European Parliament, he also stated: "I really want to fight this election just to show Europe that Slovakia has a great future in Europe. If I'm elected and for the first time in history a black man represents Slovakia that's going to be obvious to all of Europe."[13]

Maiga speaks six languages.[14]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Slovakia struggles to avoid lowest EU vote turn-out again", EU Observer, May 15, 2009
  2. ^ "Sänger aus Mali drängt ins EU-Parlament" Der Standard, May 27, 2009
  3. ^ "Berie politickú kariéru vážne? Odpovedal Ibi Maiga", Aktuelne, May 22, 2009
  4. ^ "Sänger aus Mali drängt ins EU-Parlament" Der Standard, May 27, 2009
  5. ^ "Stars try to energise Slovak voters", BBC, June 4, 2009
  6. ^ "Slovakia struggles to avoid lowest EU vote turn-out again", EU Observer, May 15, 2009
  7. ^ "Slovakia struggles to avoid lowest EU vote turn-out again", EU Observer, May 15, 2009
  8. ^ "Slovakia struggles to avoid lowest EU vote turn-out again", EU Observer, May 15, 2009
  9. ^ "Stars try to energise Slovak voters", BBC, June 4, 2009
  10. ^ "Stars try to energise Slovak voters", BBC, June 4, 2009
  11. ^ "Sänger aus Mali drängt ins EU-Parlament" Der Standard, May 27, 2009
  12. ^ "Sänger aus Mali drängt ins EU-Parlament" Der Standard, May 27, 2009
  13. ^ "Stars try to energise Slovak voters", BBC, June 4, 2009
  14. ^ "Slovakia struggles to avoid lowest EU vote turn-out again", EU Observer, May 15, 2009

External links