Erin Brady|
Ukraine has submitted an anti-Stalin song for the upcoming Eurovision song contest, which is very controversial. Jamala who was selected for Eurovision contest, is going to be singing 1944 which will be sung in English and Tatar (Russian).
The song will tell the story of how Stalin ordered the Red Army to forcibly remove Crimean Tatars from Crimea as a cruel punishment for alleged co-operations with the Nazis. At least 230,000 people were forcibly removed. Others such as Bulgarians and Greeks were also removed but the entire group of Crimean Tatars were fully taken from Crimea.
Almost 100,000 died from starvation and disease during deportation. People that did survive the journey were not allowed to return to Crimea until the 1980s. The song is very personal for Jamala because she believes that the song reminds her of her grandmother who suffered this terrible punishment.
The song, however, does not mention that recently that Russia has claimed Crimea as their own but hopefully with such a popular contest the singer can raise awareness of the situation.
On November 12th 2015, the Ukrainian Government has recognised 18th of May as Remembrance Day to remember and pray for those who survived the deportation and those who didn’t,
We could build a future,where people
are free
To live and love the happiest time
Our time
I feel everyone could take something from these lyrics and help one another build a future where we can live and love in peace.
