Bjork backs Tibetan independence
during Shanghai concert like she did for the Faroes
WTN -jb-
Monday, March 03, 2008
Shanghai - Icelandic pop singer Bjork backed independence for
Tibet during her concert on Sunday in Shanghai. She called out
"Tibet! Tibet!" followed by the songs line 'Raise your flag!' to
end a passionate performance of her song "Declare Independence"
Her protest at the Shanghai International Gymnastics Centre is
likely to anger China's communist government, which has previously
expelled foreigners for making public protests in favour of
Tibetan independence.
The words 'Raise your flag' are part of the standard lyrics of the
song (see below).
At a similar concert in Tokyo, Japan, last week, Bjork dedicated
her performance of 'Declare independence' to supporting Kosovo's
declaration of independence. This statement concerning Kosovo led
organizers of a Serbian music festival planned for July to drop
her from the lineup, citing security fears.
The Icelandic singer initially dedicated "Declare independence" to
Greenland and the Faroe Islands, which still have formal links to
Denmark. The video for the song shows her in clothing bearing
their flags. Its lyrics include: "Don't let them do that to you.
Raise your flag! and her video for the song shows her in a
jumpsuit bearing the flags of Greenland and the Faroe Islands,
far-flung territories controlled by Denmark.
Her Shanghai protest came as several Tibetan independence groups
are running high-profile campaigns to promote their cause ahead of
the Olympic Games in Beijing in August.
The Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959 after an abortive uprising
against the occupation of Tibet by Chinese troops since 1951. He
remains as popular as ever among ordinary Tibetans. China's
58-year rule over the formerly independent mountain nation of
Tibet has drawn frequent condemnation from foreign governments and
activists, often inciting a prickly nationalism among the Chinese
government and ordinary people. Many Tibetans consider the exiled
Buddhist spiritual leader the Dalai Lama as their rightful leader.
Most Tibetans support calls by the exiled Dalai Lama, Tibetan
Buddhism's highest leader, for greater autonomy for Tibet within
China, although many still favour independence.
Matt Whitticase, spokesman for the London-based Free Tibet
Movement, said the group was delighted by her remarks, contrasting
them with Gordon Brown and David Miliband's "shameful" decision
not to raise the issue publicly on their recent visits to Beijing.
"Speaking out while in China has shown it is perfectly possible to
make a high-profile visit and raise the ongoing plight of the
Tibetan people," he said.
First, Stephen Spielberg upset Chinese internet users after
resigning as artistic adviser to the Olympics over Darfur. Now,
Bjork is under attack after her outcry "Tibet! Tibet!" at the end
of her song, made the Chinese rightfully uneasy. Her remark and
the incident are oppressed in the official Chinese media.
Watch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGC0VVobi6E
declare independence
Lyrics by Bjork
'Declare independence!
Don't let them do that to you!
Declare independence!
Don't let them do that to you!
(Justice)
Declare independence!
Don't let them do that to you!
Declare independence!
Don't let them do that to you!
(Justice)
Start your own currency!
Make your own stamp
Protect your language
Declare independence
Don't let them do that to you
Declare independence
Don't let them do that to you
[x4] Make your own flag!
[x6] Raise your flag! (Higher, higher!)
Declare independence!
Don't let them do that to you!
Declare independence!
Don't let them do that to you!
Damn colonists
Ignore their patronizing
Tear off their blindfolds
Open their eyes
Declare independence!
Don't let them do that to you!
Declare independence!
Don't let them do that to you!
With a flag and a trumpet
Go to the top of your highest mountain!
And raise your flag! (Higher, higher!)
[x5] Raise your flag! (Higher, higher!)
Declare independence!
Don't let them do that to you!
Declare independence!
Don't let them do that to you!
Raise the flag!'