Video: Bjork References Tibet During “Declare Independence” Performance in Shanghai – China Cracks Down
by John Little on 7/03/2008I love Bjork:
“Did she really just say that?”
That was the question on the lips of my fellow concertgoers at the rousing March 2 Björk show in Shanghai, after the Icelandic singer’s finale performance of the track “Declare Independence.” An impassioned, angry anthem from the recent Volta, the lyrics—“Don’t let them do that to you,” “Protect your language,” and “Raise your flag”—were given an extra charge when, while the backing brass band lulled, Björk whispered close to the microphone, “Tibet, Tibet.”
Such a direct call for Tibetan independence is a shocking gesture by a visiting artist to China, which has ruled its westernmost region since 1951. Although activists argue that Tibet’s spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, is the rightful ruler, such discussion is taboo. Indeed, state-run media did not report on Björk’s verboten murmurings, though Chinese language message boards lit up. One typical fan, as translated by the media source, Danwei, asked, “Wow, the nerve! Where’d she get the courage to do this?”
China, as you can imagine, is not happy:
A statement by China’s Culture Ministry said Bjork’s outburst “broke Chinese law and hurt Chinese people’s feelings.”
Bjork shouted “Tibet!” after a passionate performance of her song “Declare Independence” on Sunday. The outburst drew rare public attention inside China to Beijing’s often harsh rule over the Himalayan region.
The statement, posted on the Culture Ministry’s Web site, also said “there is no country that admits that Tibet is an ‘independent country.’”
Shanghaiist has a roundup of reactions.
Related posts:
Video: Stand with John Cornyn for Energy Independence
The senator is kicking off a long discussion on Energy Independence on JohnCornyn.com. You’ll see additional videos here on Blogs of War as they become available but keep an eye...
Video: The History of Independence Day
Have a safe and happy fourth! Recommend on Facebook Share on Linkedin share via Reddit Share with Stumblers Tumblr it Tweet about it Bookmark in Browser Tell a friend...
Take Senator John Cornyn’s Energy Independence Survey
Do You Believe We Can Develop America’s Natural Resources and still protect our environment? Do you think it’s right that America is the only country in the world that refuses...
Video: China Runs the J-20 Black Eagle Through High Speed Taxi Tests
The quality is quite bad. Really, you’d think someone bothering with all this could manage to hold a camera steady for 30 seconds but… I expect more video (of higher...
Video: China Airlines Jet Catches Fire at Japan’s Naha Airport
All 165 passengers and crew miraculously escaped this fire: A Taiwanese jetliner burst into flames Monday morning shortly after landing at the Naha airport on the Japanese island of Okinawa,...
There are 2 comments in this article: