“Special train to Pankow”
Berlin Foundation removes “Oberindianer” from Lindenberg hit
Udo Lindenberg’s “Special Train to Pankow” was a hit. Choirs in Berlin find a word from the 1983 song to be discriminatory. Now that has consequences.
Several choirs in Berlin want to partially delete the word “Oberindianer” from two planned performances of Udo Lindenberg’s hit “Sonderzug nach Pankow” from 1983. From today’s perspective, the Humboldt Forum Foundation in Berlin said it could be perceived as discriminatory. The occasion is performances in November by eight choirs in the center for art, culture, science and education.
After an open discussion with the choirs and the artistic director, the foundation decided to partially delete the word. The plan is to sing “Ober” and then a long held “I”. But we are still voting here. The “Bild” newspaper and the “BZ” had previously reported.
In 1983, Lindenberg cheekily appealed to “Oberindianer” GDR head of state Erich Honecker with his “Special Train to Pankow” to let him perform in the GDR. The Hamburg rocker sings in his song, among other things: “I have to clarify something with your head Indian. I’m a talented yodeler and want to play with a band.”
Foundation: The word “violent history of colonization” also resonates
“Even if the word in the song “Sonderzug nach Pankow” had a metaphorical connotation when it was written in 1983 – and at the time it referred to Erich Honecker in a satirical and critical way – we are also aware that the word reflects the violent history of the colonization of indigenous population groups resonates,” the foundation continues. The word is perceived by many indigenous people and many visitors as discriminatory and racist.
Lindenberg could not initially be reached for comment. For the “Multi-Voiced 2024” format, the choirs were asked to engage with the Humboldt Forum. This time the focus was on the special exhibition “Out and Away. The Palace of the Republic is the Present”. The performances are scheduled for November 16th and 17th.
dpa
Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
