NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) –
Dozens of Orthodox Christians have raised wooden crosses and sung church songs outside the state broadcaster in Cyprus to withdraw the country’s controversial entry for the Eurovision Song Contest – titled “El Diablo”, which they say promotes satanic worship.
Some of the protesters, including families, held placards in Greek: “We protest peacefully, no to El Diablo,” “Repent and return to Christ,” and “Christ saves, kills Diablo.”
The announcer and singer of the song maintain that it was misinterpreted and that the song is actually about an abusive relationship between two lovers.
The protest took place a few days after the powerful Orthodox Church withdrew the song which he said mocked the moral foundation of the country by ‘advocating our surrender to the devil and promoting his worship’.
The Holy Synod, the supreme decision-making body of the Church, said in a statement that the song “essentially praises the fatalistic submission of people to the authority of the devil” and encouraged the state broadcaster to replace it with one that “we history, culture, traditions and our claims. ”
Last week, police charged a man with threats and disruption as he stormed the grounds of the public broadcaster to protest what he condemned as a ‘blasphemous’ song insulting Christianity.
The state broadcaster insisted that the entry not be withdrawn, but board chairman Andreas Frangos conceded that the organizers should have done a better job of explaining the core message of the song, the lyrics of which include: ‘I have my heart given to El Diablo … because he tells me I’m his angel. ‘
Even the government of Cyprus has questioned the controversy, with the spokesperson of the president, Viktoras Papadopoulos, that although the opinions of dissidents are respected, the government can not destroy the freedom of expression.
“The government fully respects creative intellectual and artistic freedom, which due to the title of a song cannot be misinterpreted or restricted, and unnecessary dimensions should not be ascribed,” Papadopoulos said in a written statement.
The song’s executive artist, Greek artist Elena Tsagrinou, said the song was about a woman calling for help after falling for a ‘bad boy’ known as ‘El Diablo’ and identifying with her abuser. . Tsagrinou insisted that any other interpretation was ‘unfounded’.
“The song sends a strong message, one against any form of abuse, such as that conveyed in ‘El Diablo,'” Tsagrinou told The Associated Press in a written statement. “In these ‘Me Too Movement’ times, the message is extremely relevant and can be felt not only in Cyprus, but also in and outside Europe.
She added that she is a Christian and that her faith was very important to her.
Tsagrinou said of the breakers of the song: “we must all accept the true and intended message of the song” and that people are now stepping forward with their own stories of abuse.
‘Music unites and empowers. Let’s focus on that and on the important issues around us and leave behind misinterpretations and dark thoughts, ”said Tsagrinou.