Moscow takes part in Live 8 global music charity action

Russian cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev will participate in Live 8 shows from space

World's mega pop and rock stars, as well as a Russian cosmonaut, Sergei Krikalev, will participate in Live 8 grand charity concerts, which take place in many countries of the world today. The concerts have been organized by well-known British musician and public figures, Bob Geldof, to help world's poorest states, the states of the African continent, first and foremost.

The goal of the global action coincides with the agenda, which Great Britain suggested for the summit of the Group of Eight. The summit is to take place on July 6-8th in Scotland.

The charity action was originally called Live Aid, but the title of the event was slightly changed to become consonant with the G8 summit. Bob Geldof organized two previous concerts in London and Philadelphia in 1985 to help the starving children of Ethiopia.

The current action is of much larger scale. Live 8 shows will take place in London, Moscow, Edinburgh, Paris, Berlin, Tokyo, Philadelphia, Toronto and Johannesburg. Over 160 bands and musicians will perform in only one day.

About 5.5 billion people, or 85 percent of the Earth's population will be able to watch or listen to the concerts. TV and radio companies in 140 countries of the world will broadcast the event. It will be also possible to see the shows online on mobile phones and on the Internet.

The Russian part of Live 8 shows will take place on the Red Square in Moscow. The concert, in which Russia's biggest pop and rock stars are expected to perform, will be kicked off at 5:00 p.m. Moscow time. In addition to Russian musicians and singers, the viewers will be able to see the performance of Pet Shop Boys.

The central show of the grand charity action will take place in London's Hyde Park. Paul McCartney, Elton John, Madonna, U2, Sting, Annie Lennox, Pink Floyd, Mariah Carey and other global stars, including Bob Geldof himself, will appear on Live 8 stage in Hyde Park. British singer Robbie Williams is said to pay a tribute of honor to Freddy Mercury and perform three of his songs.

Russian cosmonaut, Sergei Krikalev, will join London's Live 8 show from space. The cosmonaut is currently staying on board the International Space Station. Mr. Krikalev will appear on giant screens installed in front of thousands of spectators of the show in Hyde Park, as well as in front of billions of TV viewers in the world, Itrar-Tass reports.