Since 1995, acclaimed tenor Luciano Pavarotti has been raising funds through his Pavarotti & Friends concerts for child victims of war and civil conflict. These annual musical performances have raised millions of dollars for children's medical and educational initiatives in the Balkans (Bosnia and Kosovo), West Africa (Liberia) Central America (Guatemala), and Asia (Cambodia and Tibet).

On December 24 at 19h00, M-Net will screen the eighth concert in this enormously successful series titled Pavarotti & Friends for Afghanistan. Held in Pavarotti's home town of Modena, at the Parco Novi Sad, this concert was aimed at raising funds for women and children's medical and educational projects in the poverty-ridden Afghan refugee camps on the borders of Pakistan.

Making a special presentation on stage will be Catherine Zeta Jones and Michael Douglas. Artists included in the star-studded line-up are George Benson; Tom Jones; Barry White; Anastacia; Bond; Morcheeba; Patty Pravo; Fiorella Mannoia; Cecilia Cruz; Jarabe de Palo and Orchestra Sinfonica Italiana, conducted by Jose Molina. All musicians perform solos as well as a duet with Pavarotti.

The project is supported by Kofi Annan (UN Secretary General), Ruud Lubbers (UN High Commission for Refugees).