THE FESTIVAL OF POLITICAL SONG 2.0
From 1970 to 1990, the Festival of Political Song in the GDR celebrated the international art of singing. Under the name ESC it celebrated a furious comeback in Malmö, Sweden.
by Alexander Kira
by Alexander Kira
In the '68 era, a musician once announced that he would play a few songs - and that the audience could then discuss the songs directly. In doing so, he wanted to forestall the chaotic cancellations of concerts that were common at the time due to the politically active audience's spontaneous need for discussion. From today's perspective, there was a lot of laughter about that. At this year's ESC in Malmö, the suspicion arises that the laughter came too early. The ESC management must have been reminded of exactly this episode in music history when everyone tried to turn the competition into a kind of UN meeting with music. The artists also had to bravely assert themselves at the new festival of political song, in which they unexpectedly found themselves.
We all got through it with champagne and chips, but there has to be a solution for the future. Many commentators were at a loss here - but the solution is obvious: Doesn't the ESC sound almost like the EP, i.e. the European Parliament? Why don't we relieve the pressure on the music industry and leave politics to those who do it for a living? So why don't the European Parliamentarians sing next time in Switzerland? Maybe Switzerland will then also think about joining and the British will come back. Opponents of such a proposal should be aware that this results in a number of other advantages: No more silly changes of clothes. No people inexplicably climbing rocks or groups of people or things to sing to the smoke machine. No more laborious thinking about songs that are not always easy to distinguish: the title selection would also be adjusted. Well-known and tried-and-tested songs like "Tell me where you stand?" or "Bella Ciao" immediately create a mood - and don't these songs answer the questions of the time much better than mere onomatopoeic octave jumps?
This would also solve the problem of the traditionally controversial jury decisions: the winning song would, of course, be determined at the ballot box, as in the European elections, and that would finally be a truly official final result. Now some will ask what happens to the friendly group of musicians who now have to vacate the Green Room. Meanwhile, off to the European Parliament! It would be an end to the tiredness of politics among young and old if politics were as emotional again as only the ESC can be. Spontaneous flag waving in parliament, hugs with a warmth that only Jean-Claude Juncker had ever managed. A Europe united in front of the television with cold drinks and snacks, waiting in anticipation for the next speech. Charming and with slight irony commented by Thorsten Schorn. If that doesn't bring Europe and the world together, then we can no longer be helped. But don't worry: of course there will be singing in the EP. Before each session is broadcast, the Eurovision and revived Intervision logo will be displayed. And everyone sings the new Eurovision anthem under the guidance of Wolf Biermann: Peoples listen to the signals - on to the last stand!
05/22/2024
Alexander Kira has written about international human rights protection and is a lawyer, presenter and cabaret artist. He lives and writes in the heart of Berlin.
We all got through it with champagne and chips, but there has to be a solution for the future. Many commentators were at a loss here - but the solution is obvious: Doesn't the ESC sound almost like the EP, i.e. the European Parliament? Why don't we relieve the pressure on the music industry and leave politics to those who do it for a living? So why don't the European Parliamentarians sing next time in Switzerland? Maybe Switzerland will then also think about joining and the British will come back. Opponents of such a proposal should be aware that this results in a number of other advantages: No more silly changes of clothes. No people inexplicably climbing rocks or groups of people or things to sing to the smoke machine. No more laborious thinking about songs that are not always easy to distinguish: the title selection would also be adjusted. Well-known and tried-and-tested songs like "Tell me where you stand?" or "Bella Ciao" immediately create a mood - and don't these songs answer the questions of the time much better than mere onomatopoeic octave jumps?
This would also solve the problem of the traditionally controversial jury decisions: the winning song would, of course, be determined at the ballot box, as in the European elections, and that would finally be a truly official final result. Now some will ask what happens to the friendly group of musicians who now have to vacate the Green Room. Meanwhile, off to the European Parliament! It would be an end to the tiredness of politics among young and old if politics were as emotional again as only the ESC can be. Spontaneous flag waving in parliament, hugs with a warmth that only Jean-Claude Juncker had ever managed. A Europe united in front of the television with cold drinks and snacks, waiting in anticipation for the next speech. Charming and with slight irony commented by Thorsten Schorn. If that doesn't bring Europe and the world together, then we can no longer be helped. But don't worry: of course there will be singing in the EP. Before each session is broadcast, the Eurovision and revived Intervision logo will be displayed. And everyone sings the new Eurovision anthem under the guidance of Wolf Biermann: Peoples listen to the signals - on to the last stand!
05/22/2024
Alexander Kira has written about international human rights protection and is a lawyer, presenter and cabaret artist. He lives and writes in the heart of Berlin.
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