CHICAGO — Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama welcomed a high-profile gathering of political leaders, entertainers and public figures on Thursday for the dedication of the Obama Presidential Center on Chicago’s South Side, marking the opening of a major cultural and civic campus honoring the nation’s 44th president.
The ceremony at Jackson Park drew former U.S. Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Joe Biden, along with international dignitaries including former German Chancellor Angela Merkel and former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, according to organizers and media reports.
The event also featured performances by a lineup of prominent musicians and entertainers announced by the Obama Foundation earlier this week. Artists appearing during the celebration included Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Common, Christina Aguilera, Marc Anthony, The Roots, Eddie Vedder, Tems, Bono and The Edge of U2, among others.
“This is not a monument to the past; it is a living destination for people who refuse to accept the status quo,” Obama said in remarks released by the Obama Foundation ahead of the opening celebrations.
According to the Obama Foundation, the dedication ceremony launched a four-day opening program culminating in the center’s public opening on Juneteenth, June 19. The foundation said the campus was designed as a hub for civic engagement, education and community activities.
The Obama Presidential Center spans approximately 19 acres and includes a museum, public gathering spaces, gardens, athletic facilities and a branch of the Chicago Public Library. The project was funded privately through the Obama Foundation and has been under development for several years.
Michelle Obama delivered remarks during the ceremony, while members of the Obama family, including daughters Malia and Sasha Obama, also attended, according to published reports.
Security was heightened around the site due to the presence of current and former world leaders and other prominent guests, local media reported.
The center is scheduled to open to the public on Friday, with additional community events, performances and family activities planned through the weekend, the Obama Foundation said.
