Mary Fitzgerald Square
Encyclopedia
The Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown, Johannesburg in South Africa
is a public space named after Mary "Pickhandle" Fitzgerald
, who is considered to have been the first female trade unionist in the country.
Previously known as Aaron's Ground, the square was named for Fitzgerald in 1939 as it was an often-used location for strikers' meetings in the early part of the 20th century.
The square features lighting designed by French lighting engineer Patrick Rimoux
and an installation of carved wooden heads.
The square is the centerpiece of the Newtown urban renewal project and is surrounded by structures significant to the city, including the Market Theatre
— which played host to much of the 1980s 'struggle theatre' opposing the apartheid regime's discriminatory policies; Museum Africa; the old Turbine Hall, and the Worker's Library.
On 2 July 2005, Mary Fitzgerald Square hosted the Johannesburg leg of the Live 8
series of concerts organised by Bob Geldof
.
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
is a public space named after Mary "Pickhandle" Fitzgerald
Mary Fitzgerald
Mary Fitzgerald is a television writer for The Singles Table, American Body Shop and most notably the HBO sitcom, Lucky Louie.-External links:...
, who is considered to have been the first female trade unionist in the country.
Previously known as Aaron's Ground, the square was named for Fitzgerald in 1939 as it was an often-used location for strikers' meetings in the early part of the 20th century.
The square features lighting designed by French lighting engineer Patrick Rimoux
Patrick Rimoux
Patrick Rimoux is a French light sculptor. He lives and works in Paris.His works include temporary illumination for special events, urban lighting design, as well as more personal artworks....
and an installation of carved wooden heads.
The square is the centerpiece of the Newtown urban renewal project and is surrounded by structures significant to the city, including the Market Theatre
Market Theatre
The Market Theatre, based in the vibrant inner-city suburb of Newtown in Johannesburg, South Africa, was opened in 1976, operating as an independent, non-racial theatre during the country’s apartheid regime...
— which played host to much of the 1980s 'struggle theatre' opposing the apartheid regime's discriminatory policies; Museum Africa; the old Turbine Hall, and the Worker's Library.
On 2 July 2005, Mary Fitzgerald Square hosted the Johannesburg leg of the Live 8
Live 8
Live 8 was a string of benefit concerts that took place on 2 July 2005, in the G8 states and in South Africa. They were timed to precede the G8 Conference and summit held at the Gleneagles Hotel in Auchterarder, Scotland from 6–8 July 2005; they also coincided with the 20th anniversary of Live Aid...
series of concerts organised by Bob Geldof
Bob Geldof
Robert Frederick Zenon "Bob" Geldof, KBE is an Irish singer, songwriter, author, occasional actor and political activist. He rose to prominence as the lead singer of the Irish rock band The Boomtown Rats in the late 1970s and early 1980s alongside the punk rock movement. The band had hits with his...
.