Udo Lindenberg‘s hit “Sonderzug nach Pankow” from 1983 has come under criticism in Berlin. The song contains the word “Upper Indian,” which is now perceived as discriminatory.
“Special train to Pankow” is censored after allegations of discrimination
The Humboldt Forum Foundation confirms to “bild.de“that after an open discussion with the choirs and the artistic direction, it was decided to sing the song without the word in question. “The word is perceived by many indigenous people and visitors as discriminatory and racist. We take this point of view seriously and respect it,” it continued. The foundation wanted to “handle language and images very sensitively and respectfully.”
“Long history of violence in colonization”: Word from Udo Lindenberg’s song is censored
In its justification, the foundation explained that the word had a metaphorical connotation in the historical context, referred satirically to Erich Honecker, but resonated with the violent history of the colonization of indigenous population groups. It continues: “The use of the word resonates with the long history of violence of colonization and stereotyping that was inflicted on indigenous population groups and continues to have an impact today.”
This isn’t the first time Udo Lindenberg’s song has been censored
The decision will be made before the “Very Voices 2024” concerts on November 16th and 17th, at which Berlin choirs will sing songs from Hanns Eisler to Udo Lindenberg. The hit “Sonderzug nach Pankow”, which is based on the melody of the 1941 US classic Chattanooga Choo Choo, was released in 1983. In the same year, the song was censored at a concert in the GDR – but at that time Lindenberg was not even allowed to play his work sing!
