FLAGS

i've wanted to start a FLAGS thread for a while, and have just been given a very great reason to do it now:

2/1/10 10:48 AM

Angola
African Union's new flag hoisted

Luanda – The New African Union (AU)’s flag was hoisted Sunday at the UN Economic Commission headquarters for Africa, in the presence of African Heads of State and Government, who are participating in the 14th summit of the continental organisation summit that kicked off on the same day.

The new green coloured flag is decorated with 53 golden stars that symbolise the African states, making a circle.

At the middle of the cycle there is a green map of Africa and an effigy with solar rays coloured white. The new African Union symbol was hoisted by members of Africa Union security body.

The 14th summit was opened by the Libyan leader Muammar Kadhafi, acting chairman of the African Union.

African Union Commission chairman, Gabonese Jean Ping, José Luis Zapatero representing the European Union, and the UN Secretary General, Ban-Kimoon, also intervened at the event.

the flag described, the new flag for the african union, was designed by my co-worker, yadesa (yaddi) bojia. a man i know designed the flag for an entire continent. it is fucking awesome. it's also fucking beautiful.

(can't find a picture to post.)

a little more about the selection process, from wikipedia:

The African Union adopted its new flag at its 14th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government taking place in Addis Ababa 2010. During the 8th African Union Summit which took place in Addis Ababa on 29 and 30 January 2007, the Heads of State and Government decided to launch a competition for the selection of a new flag for the Union. They prescribed a green background for the flag symbolising hope of Africa and stars to represent Member States.

Pursuant to this decision, the African Union Commission (AUC) organized a competition for the selection of a new flag for the African Union. The AUC received a total of 106 entries proposed by citizens of 19 African countries and 2 from the Diaspora. The proposals were then examined by a panel of experts put in place by the African Union Commission and selected from the five African regions for short listing according to the main directions given by the Heads of State and Government.

At the 13th Ordinary Session of the Assembly, the Heads of State and Government examined the report of the Panel and selected one among all the proposals. The flag is now part of the paraphernalia of the African Union and replaces the old one.

here's an article about yaddi from a local magazine. yes, ethopian.

http://www.tadias.com/04/18/2007/from-addis-to-seattle-paintings-of-yadessa-boja/

and look, he's also in a reggae band!

http://www.tadias.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/folk6_big.jpg

finally, a picture of a flag! of the flag!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2749/4325267331_dc6e9648d0_o.jpg

all of this is awesome

http://www.alltheflags.us/101-flags-of-the-micronations