Song contest

Song Contest:

Since 1999 in Jerusalem the Swede Charlotte Nilsson was placed first with her title "Tusen Och En Natt" (the original title has been translated in to English with "Take Me To Your Heaven" ), in the year 2000 the Song Contest Eurovision (swed.: "Melodifestivalen") has been arranged by Sweden. The event took place on the 13th of may in the Globe Arena in Stockholm. Sweden´s contribution to the Song Contest Eurovision was called "När vindarna viskar mitt namn" ("When the winds whisper my name") and had been performed by Roger Pontare. If you are curious about it, you may have a look at the original text as well as at the english translation below.

After I had translated the text, I was shocked. "Never I do betray my country" - What should that mean? Does this encourage nationalism and rascial discrimination? And although the Indian singing at the beginning and in the middle of the song as well as the corresponding dress of the singer suggest to interpret the song quite historically, I do not feel well with it.

As I investigated I finally found an article in the swedish "Aftonbladet"from the 12th of March 2000, in which it is confirmed, that even in Sweden the text was not undisputed.

Accordingly the "xenophobe" party Swedish Democrats ("Sverigedemokraternas") had published the following comment to Pontare´s song: "We congradulate Roger Pontare on his victory at the Song Contest, which was a victory for nationalism in the world as well as for all people, who know the pride in their culture. Thanks Roger Pontare and the swedish people!"

In contrast to this stood the statements of the interpreter Pontare and of the song-writers Peter Dahl and Thomas Holmstrand. They unanimously affirmed, that quite on the contrary the song should have a "strengthening" effect upon "the minorities in society." It was a "homage to all people, who are exposed to pursuit."

Good intentions should be honoured. But shouldn´t one be more careful with the choice of one´s means? I personally take the view that it is no accident that reactionary forces rush at the song, that is on the top of the Swedish music charts and therefore everybody in Sweden knows it, to propagate their thoughts. But you may look personally:

När vindarna viskar mitt namn

Jag blev fångad i ett mörker, jag såg inget ljus

Fast allt runt omkring stod i brann

I lågornas sken fanns mitt hopp och min tro

Som virvlade bort och försvann

Så ge mig min styrka

Ge mig kraft att försvara mitt land

Ge mig en väg att gå

Jag ser yxan i krigarens hand

Vill ni att jag vänder om

Och slåss för den jag är

Aldrig sviker jag mitt land

När vindarna viskar mitt namn

Regnet som föll, det fick dölja min sorg

Och släcker min brinnande törst

Jag flydde till bergen när gryningen kom

Och plötseligt jag hörde en röst

Vindarna viskar

Jag hör dem kallar mitt namn

Jag har en väg att gå

Jag ser yxan in krigarens hand

Vill ni att jag vänder om

Och slåss för den jag är

Aldrig sviker jag mitt land

När vindarna viskar mitt namn

Så ge mig min styrka

Ge mig kraft att försvara mitt land

Ge mig en väg att gå

Jag ser yxan i krigarens hand

Vill ni att jag vänder om

Och slåss för den jag är

Aldrig sviker jag mitt land

När vindarna viskar mitt namn

When the winds whisper my name

I was drapped in darkness, I saw no light

Although everything around me was on fire

In the brightness of the flames was my hope and my belief

which spun away and disappeared

So give me my strengh

Give me power to defend my country

Give me a way to go

I see the axe in the warrior´s hand

Do you want me to turn around

And fight for who I am?

Never I do betray my country

When the winds whisper my name

The rain which followed could hide my sorrow

And quench my burning thirst

I fled to the mountains when dawn came

And suddenly I heared a voice

The winds whisper

I hear them calling my name

I have a way to go

I see the axe in the warrior´s hand

Do you want me to turn around

And fight for who I am?

Never I do betray my country

When the winds whisper my name

So give me my strengh

Give me power to defend my country

Give me a way to go

I see the axe in the warrior´s hand

Do you want me to turn around

And fight for who I am?

Never I do betray my country

When the winds whisper my name

To that case for my personally it is interesting, that Pontare at the Song Contest finaly sang his song in English, and here changed the line "Never do I betray my country" into "Life will never be the same." It is to ask, if this has something to do with the trouble in the forefield...

At the end the places were distributed as follows:

1. Place:

2. Place:

3. Place:

5. Place:

8. Place:

Denmark (Olsen Brothers with "Wings of Love")

Russia

Latvia

Germany (Stefan Raab with "Wadde hadde duda"

Sweden

My personal favourite would have been Latvia (for this song I telephoned very busily), but I can also live with the danish song, which won finally. It is beautiful, that a song, which does´nt correspond to the shortliving glammer of our days has been placed first this time.

Congratulations to the Olsen Brothers!

That finally the German Stefan Raab got the fifth place with his silly title is totally inconceivable to me. But this is a matter of taste...

And again a Song Contest has gone to en end. I say good-bye until next year. I again had a good time and will surely be present in 2001.

Angelika

According to my abough statement reached me the following email, which I do not want to hold back. At 31st of May 2000 Michael from Sweden wrote:

"(...) Good to see that people outside Sweden react to the Eurovision song... Pontare is hardly a rascist, he is, just with so many with him, extremely naive, and really doesn´t see who´s massage he he´s pushing forward, Swedes in common are "easy flirts" to the "dark forces" without knowing what they really talking about. People here are searching for the "good and healthy nationalism", but where is it, how many errors will be made before and if they find it and what damage would be made on the way? To the sont text´s excuse has been said, that it is about the samic fight for rights and life of own choice. Oh well... It is not political correct to critizise samic culture, so they found themselves a way to slip off the hook there... Interesting subject anyway! (...)"

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