This is a repost from over a year ago, but more appropriate today.
Christmas Day, 1989, the tyrant Ceausescu was finally overthrown. Congratulations, Romania. Chris doesn't remember any of the revolution. J-A was four, and remembers the crowds in the street shouting "Iliescu Sus! Ceausescu Jos!" Which turned out to be Romanian for "Out of the frying pan, into the fire," but it was a start. They have a great national anthem. If you listen to all three one after the other, you will be a little bit Romanian at the end.
We got the only two Romanians who can't sing, by the way.
These three (now four!) performances of the Romanian national anthem ("Romanians, Awake!") will tell you everything you need to know about the culture since the revolution of December 1989. If you are pressed for time, the first one - the pop version - will tell you enough.
You have to admit, these folks put a lot into the anthem, though not with expressions we usually associate with patriotism in America. Defiance, joy, smoldering sexual display - yeah, that's them.
The Rock Version
And the national rugby team.
20 years, Romania.
Five! Okay, I'm getting carried away here. But somehow you just can't stop.
You're right--no American sings the Star Spangled Banner with that kind of sexual energy. If course, it helps that Romania's anthem is a much better melody.
ReplyDeleteIt's generally thought that France, Germany and South Africa have--and the old Soviet Union had--the best national anthems, but I'd put Romania's on the list as well.