03 March 2008
Bjork’s support for Tibetan independence
(AP;CBC; Xinhua) The singer Bjork appeared to back Tibetan independence during a concert in Shanghai. During a climatic part of her final song, 'Declare Independence’, she shouted: "Tibet! Tibet! Raise your flag!" Her protest apparently went unnoticed by the majority of an estimated 3,000 people at the Shanghai International Gymnastics Centre. Following news of the incident, China's Culture Ministry said it now plans to tighten its scrutiny of foreign artists before allowing them to perform. In a statement it also said that the show broke Chinese laws and regulations, "hurt the feelings of the Chinese public" and "went against the professional code of an artist", according to Xinhua. On her website the Icelandic singer wrote: "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. I would like to wish all individuals and nations good luck in their battle for independence".