Ibrahim Maiga

Ibrahim Maiga, also known as Ibi Maiga,^[1][2][3] born in Mopti, Mali in 1963 or 1964,^[4] is a 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 became 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 during 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

• O.S.T. Fontána pre Zuzanu 2
• The 100 Greatest Slovak Albums of All Time

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

• Ibrahim Maiga at the Internet Movie Database
• "Ibi Maiga chce byť ako Obama!", DNES, May 25, 2008. Interview of Ibi Maiga (in Slovak).