Iceland’s leading garden gnome, all five foot of her, has taken on the issue of Tibet… in Shanghai. The Chinese aren’t pleased. Her song “Declare Independence” at one of her concerts instantly produced a strong, very negative, reaction.
Bjork would have made a good Viking, but an artistic one. The diminutive DIY Ragnarok has a tendency to situations. Attacking irritating photographers (with reason, I’d mention) is one of her more adorable characteristics, but taking on China is a first, even for her.
The BBC:
“
Talk of Tibetan independence is considered taboo in China, which has ruled the territory since 1951.
China's culture ministry said the outburst "broke Chinese law and hurt Chinese people's feelings" and pledged to "further tighten controls".
"We will further tighten controls on foreign artists performing in China in order to prevent similar cases from happening in the future," the ministry said in a statement on its website.”
Bjork’s comment:
“
Bjork said she "would like to put importance on that I am not a politician, I am first and last a musician and as such I feel my duty to try to express the whole range of human emotions".
On her website, she said: "This song was written more with the personal in mind.
"But the fact that it has translated to its broadest meaning, the struggle of a suppressed nation, gives me much pleasure."”
Vague, eh?
I've since discovered that the BBC left out a bit of Bjork's comments:
"
i would like to wish all individuals and nations good luck in their battle for independence.
justice!"
Tibet is as sore a point with China as Taiwan. She’s been threatened with a ban on performing in China if there’s a repeat performance.
China is one of the great nations of history, as well as the present. Chinese culture at its highest is above this pedantry. Chinese and Tibetan cultures are not at all dissimilar. Even the land itself was part of Chinese folklore. Buddhism was one of the founding religions of China’s great Three Religions period.
Oppressing Tibetan culture is oppressing part of China’s heritage.
People must ultimately be free to live. No culture can really live a lie.
----
Also read:
Op-Ed: Bjork Gutsy Garden Gnome Gottmansdotir
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