Bob Marley on Jamaica Street

In the United Kingdom, Liverpool has become known for its many iconic statues in the city centre. The statues honour musicians, football players, community heroes, and even politicians, and each statue has its own unique story. Now, a statue of Jamaican reggae legend Bob Marley will join the Liverpool artworks. The statue, which is located on Jamaica Street, is a seven-foot-tall, bronzed memorial of Marley commissioned by the Positive Vibration Festival and created by sculptor Andy Edwards. Marley is being honoured for his messages of unity, love, and compassion. It was presented by urban griot, Levi Tafari, who read his poem 'Spirit Dancer' at the unveiling.

"It is an honour and pleasure to be a part of an event that celebrates the greatness of Bob Marley," Tafari told the Liverpool Echo. "Something I never thought I would have the pleasure of doing."

Sculptor Andy Edwards added: "Peace is not having a lie-down, it’s a fight. It’s not something static like a word on a T-Shirt, it’s an action, an ongoing struggle. Every kind of peace throughout the world is under threat right now and we need our champions. We need Bob Marley and the power he summons at the centre of the ring again. We’re about to touch gloves with the toughest challenges humanity has ever faced and there’s only one way to meet that, with love and in unity."