Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere and U2 frontman Bono meet at the Oslo Forum in Norway. (LISE ASERUDLISE ASERUD/AFP/Getty Images)
DUBLIN — Aung San Suu Kyi received a rock star welcome in Ireland Monday, with U2 singer Bono among those performing at a concert to honor the Burmese democracy icon after flying in with her on his private jet.
Nobel Peace laureate Suu Kyi took to the stage with Bono to receive a prize from Amnesty International at the rights group’s “Electric Burma” concert in a packed Dublin theater.
She was met with cheers and a standing ovation.
Bono thanked her for being there, saying, “We know there are many, many other places you could be and we understand the signal your presence here sends out and we are humbled, we are grateful.”
Suu Kyi sat alongside Bono — who has long supported Suu Kyi’s freedom struggle and dedicated the song “Walk On” to her — after the pair traveled from Oslo, Norway, where they had co-hosted a peace forum.
“To receive this award is to remind me that 24 years ago I took on duties from which I shall never be relieved but you have given me the strength to carry out,” Suu Kyi said in reply.
“I have discovered how much more people care. I had not expected this. I had not known how much they cared. This has come as a surprise to me and a very moving one.”
The concert opened with Ireland’s Riverdance troupe performing against an atmospheric set designed to look like a nocturnal beach scene.
Bono’s fellow rock star-activist Bob Geldof then took to the stage, saying, “You actually honor us by being finally here with us.”
Suu Kyi received Amnesty International’s Ambassador of Conscience Award, the rights group’s most prestigious prize, after performances from world artists including Benin singer Angelique Kidjo and US rapper Lupe Fiasco.
She won the award in 2009 but was under house arrest in Burma, also known as Myanmar.
The concert also featured a recorded message from Dave Lee Travis, the British DJ nicknamed the “Hairy Cornflake,” whom Suu Kyi has said kept her spirits up during her time under house arrest.
Burmese comedian-activist Zarganar, another of the performers, said he spent almost 11 years in prison in his country “because of making jokes.”
Bono, wearing his trademark black glasses, wrapped up the event with a performance of “Walk On,” followed by U2’s “One.”
In Dublin, Suu Kyi also met with Irish President Michael D. Higgins.