The "Stop Early Marriage" project by UNFPA Addis Ababa, Ethiopia As part of UNFPA's national campaign to "Stop Early Marriage", 30 top Ethiopian Artists painted over 2 days from 10am Friday 7 March 2008 until midday on Saturday, coinciding with International Women's Day. The unique styles of each of the artists drew interested crowds who watched on in amazement as the length of canvas was transformed into a piece of art blending their styles and feelings. The unveiling ceremony on Saturday afternoon was dramatic as the curtain dropped revealing a canvas stretched 100 metres long by 1 metre wide. The longest, largest ever painting to have been painted in Ethiopia. A large crowd of invited guests and general public listened to speeches including the Patriach, UNFPA and 2 young girls who survived early marriage. Artists were on hand to discuss their creation with interested onlookers. It was a unique, participatory and big-impact event which affected a large cross-section of society. The event was intended to enhance the understanding of the public, policy makers and development stakeholders on early marriage. Everyone who visited the site had the opportunity to sign the canvas and pledge their support.       First meeting held for the artists, UNFPA staff and Cactus crew at Cactus       The anticipation meetings at Cactus                        Construction of the tents                           Construction of the tents and canvas                           An artist at work                Children pledging with chalk on the ground    One of the artists interpretation utilizing the "Stop Early Marriage" t-shirt                     Eye painting incorporating children's writing                              The crowd at the unveiling ceremony   Opening speech by Dr Monique Rakotomalala with Patriach looking on Testimony by one of the early marriage survivors from Gojam  Speech by the Patriach of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church                             Speech by Dr Bogalech, UNFPA