Montenegro’s 2012 Eurovision performance analysis Euro Neuro by Rambo Amadeus

 

Montenegro’s 2012 Eurovision Performance Analysis

Euro Neuro by Rambo Amadeus

Before we get started as mentioned from blog post one, Montenegro’s national identity is mainly focused on their Montenegrin Language, the Orthodox religion, and along with the shared Serbian Orthodox church since Serbia serves as the “Other” for Montenegro. Continuing, Montenegro participated in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2012 when Rambo Amadeus performed his song Euro Neuro. The song was a “nonsensical rhyming and rap spoken song” which he performed in the hosted country Azerbaijan in Baku (Adams, 2012).

 Initially Amadeus was asked to perform and participate in the Eurovision Song Contest by the Montenegrin broadcast unit, “RTCG” since he is an important figure in “alternative music in Montenegro from the 90’s” (Adams, 2012). Additionally, Rambo Amadeus is just a stage name, his actual real name is Antonije Pušić, and he is from Herceg Novi in Montenegro. Also, he is not only an artist of music but a sail champion, and eco-activist. His stage name Rambo Amadeus is connected to the unique music genre, “Turbo folk” which is “aggressive folk music” that is well known in the Balkan states (Eurovision TV, 2012). He’s popular for his outrageous character and humorous, satirical-political songs, as well as his musical combination of jazz, rock, hip hop, and turbo folk. His music contains a combination of “satirical lyrics” used in different genres like “rock and jazz with adding some spicy ironic wit” while poking fun at the “foolishness of some politics” (Eurovision TV, 2012). Above all according to the Eurovision tv website he’s been “declared for being the first ambassador of UNICEF in Montenegro 6 years ago” helping out “against violence in schools” (Eurovision TV, 2012).

 Since Amadeus likes to include satire and politics in his songs, he uses some gimmicks to really express the overall performance in the Eurovision Song Contest. For instance, at the beginning of the performance Amadeus is not seen as he is covered in a black robe making his first appearance on stage. He then takes the robe off after 25 seconds and starts laughing and begins to perform his song. This seems to be already showing augured “ill for Europe if its leaders remain rigid in their approach” towards the European debt crisis at the time happening (Adams, 2012). As he starts to sing on the stage there is a big Trojan donkey which is an intentional reference of being a downgrade of the trojan horse from Greek myth while also being a symbolism of “rural poor” (Adams, 2012). The style of the music seems to be a “nonsensical rhyming rap spoken song” along with the guitar bass and drums being used in the background (Adams, 2012). In addition, for the staging there are photos of money using the euro currency that Montenegro uses played in the background screen. Furthermore, on the screen there is also scenery of the Coast in Montenegro with a big yacht. These images are meant to show the wealth difference between Montenegro being a poorer country compared to a financially rich country like Germany with the imagery of rich scenery and a donkey from Montenegro. This then also relates to the three other backing dancers on stage. Two of them are dressed in black suits and the other dressed like a citizen with hints of red, which the red is symbolism of the Montenegro flag that is all red. These backing dancers in suits likely represent rich German representatives of the EU or bankers that put pressure on small poor countries like Montenegro itself. Especially since Germany is part of the EU and a very rich country with more power. During the performance, there also appears to be three red signs that the backing dancers unravel as Amadeus performs. The first one translated seems to say, “we’re having octopus” said in a mix of German and Serbian (Adams, 2012). Which references back to the promotion video and since octopus-Hobotnica is also a popular dish in the Balkan states. Then the second sign says, Euro Neuro give me a chance to finance, which references the struggling countries in need for help “facing debt problems” (Adams, 2012). Then finally the last sign states, euro neuro monetary break dance which is meant to be a reaction from after the finance Ministers announced “they would contribute an additional $670 billion to the financial firewall” in late March (Adams, 2012). Additionally, the two backing dancers wearing the black suits seem to represent the working government in the EU and the other backing dancer in red representing a citizen of Montenegro. This is shown to be when during the performance, the two backing dancers in suits start to tie up and wrap the other citizen backing dancer with the three signs. Furthermore, expressing that the government of the EU causes conflict trying to control small poor countries like Montenegro causing citizens to be disconnected financially. Following this at the very end of the performance Rambo Amadeus ends the performance with him taking his pockets and emptying them out, showing to be a hint towards poor countries like Montenegro being affected by the European debt crisis poorly, and having trouble financially.

The reason for Amadeus to perform his song euro Neuro and have all this symbolism in his performance was to bring light on the debt crisis happening at that time and especially Montenegro since they are a small poorer country being affected. In fact, that same year of Amadeus’s performance at Eurovision, “Montenegro began negotiations to join the EU in 2012” (Forbes, 2018). Although till this day though Montenegro is still not part of the Eurozone, the country continues to use euros as the currency. Another issue was polluted air quality in Montenegro, for example air pollutant concentrations were “much higher than what the EU and the World Health Organization have set to protect health” (Puljić, 2014). Above all Rambo Amadeus includes many references from the European debt crisis affecting poorer countries and overall, how the EU is governing since some countries withdraw from participating at the Eurovision Song Contest due to “economic reasons” (Kukolja, 2013).

The song Euro Neuro is written by Amadeus himself and is performed in mostly English and a mix of German, Serbian and Montenegrin. The lyrics contain multiple philosophy terms, for instance, hermetic, eclectic, dialectic, dogmatic, and pragmatic. Although one of the terms that stuck out to me was Eurosceptic which means, “a person, esp. a politician, having doubts or reservations regarding the supposed benefits of increasing cooperation between the member states of the European Union” (Oxford, 2008). The word Eurosceptic is the first lyric for the song and sets the song to be a whole criticism towards the EU since especially Montenegro is largely impacted by the European debt crisis since they are not a western country and is instead a “small country on the sidelines” being ignored (Adams, 2012). The song also seems to mention Zanjice which is a popular place part of the Montenegrin coast. Moreover, Amadeus sings and says, “need contribution from the institution/ to find solution for pollution” which connects the European debt crisis and “suggest poorer countries need help from the wealthier ones” (Adams, 2012). Along with “European bailout funds and toxic debts from pollution,” since the air quality in 2012 in Montenegro was not safe at the time and needed attention from the EU (Adams, 2012). Overall, Amadeus’s performance presents the message that countries like Montenegro are struggling to repay or refinance their movement debt during the European debt crisis because of the way the EU is governing and lack of mechanisms.

Initially when people first saw the performance, they were very puzzled and confused since not only was it random with the chosen random philosophy words but also was the first beginning performance to start off the Eurovision Song contest. However, Amadeus explains that “the song is directed to everyone feeling a bit nervous about not being able to understand things like the financial roots of the euro-zone crisis,” he says, “I am looking forward to their vote” (Adams, 2012). Different from the EU, people who are struggling and fear the European debt crisis are the target audience of Amadeus performance since the song appeals to them the most, explaining that it is the EU’S fault.

Lastly through the performance Rambo Amadeus includes hints and expresses the national identity of Montenegro. For instance, there are multiple hints of red during the performance which is a symbol for the Montenegro flag. Then in the lyrics there is a mention of Zanjice which is a small popular place by the coast of Montenegro. Adding on there is a mix of Serbian spoken lyrics during the performance, although Serbian isn’t the official language of Montenegro it is the most spoken and is very alike to the Montenegrin language. Lastly since the overall performance is about the European debt crisis and the EU, this connects to Montenegro since they use euros even if they are not part of the eurozone. However, starting that year Montenegro initiated the process of trying to be included in part of the eurozone, and till this day still trying. In conclusion Rambo Amadeus’s Euro Neuro performance at Eurovision 2012 is a great performance that includes satirical lyrics explaining the dilemma of the European debt crisis, interpreting the EU in the process, and expressing the national identity of Montenegro itself.

Word count: [1564]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

Adams, W. L. (2012, March 16). "Euro-neuro" Lyrics - Rambo Amadeus (Montenegro, ESC 2012). wiwibloggs.

https://wiwibloggs.com/2012/03/16/euro-neuro-lyrics-rambo-amadeus-montenegro-esc-2012/15407/

Adams, W. L. (2012, April 6). Rambo Amadeus' 'Euro neuro': Eurovision takes on the Euro Zone. Time.

https://world.time.com/2012/04/06/rambo-amadeuss-euro-neuro-eurovision-takes-on-the-eurozone/

Adams, W. L. (2012, April 3). Rambo Amadeus interview: Montenegro's ESC Star Talks "Euro Neuro". wiwibloggs.

https://wiwibloggs.com/2012/04/03/rambo-amadeus-interview-montenegros-esc-star-talks-       euro-neuro/16028/

EuroVisionary. (2012, March 4). 2012: Rambo Amadeus - Euro Neuro. EuroVisionary.

https://eurovisionary.com/participant-profile/2012/euro-neuro/rambo-amadeus

Kukolja, K. (2013, May 15). Euro debt crisis hits Eurovision. SBS News.              https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/euro-debt-crisis-hits-eurovision/291z956il

Montenegro. (2018). Forbes Magazine.

https://www.forbes.com/places/montenegro/?sh=58e8aac16dd4

 

Oxford English Dictionary.(n.d). Eurosceptic. In OED Online.

https://www.oed.com/view/Entry/269632?redirectedFrom=eurosceptic#eid

 

Puljić, V. M. (2014). Air pollution and health in Montenegro. HEAL Briefing - Health and Environment Alliance.

http://env-health.org/IMG/pdf/heal_briefing_air_mng_eng.pdf

Rambo Amadeus. (2012). Eurovision.tv.

 https://eurovision.tv/participant/rambo-amadeus

 

Montenegro's Divided National Identity

 

Vivian Perez

22WQ UCOR 1400 Eurovision

February 8th, 2022

 

Montenegro’s divided national Identity

 What is national Identity?

What does national identity mean? Some might say that someone’s national identity means a person’s individuality in which they are from and feel most at home. Although to go more depth, national identity is much more than that and is “a sense of a nation as a cohesive whole, as represented by (the maintenance of) distinctive traditions, culture, linguistic or political features” (Oxford 2000). Furthermore, Montenegro’s national identify is based on history, personal bonds and culture with mainly religion. Before the 19^th century, Montenegro was an area inhabited by contending tribes loosely governed by “bishops”. From this, they acquired features that set them apart from the Serbs and as a result, they began to think of themselves as Montenegrins. The start of the Montenegrin state was symbolized by this. (Pavlović 2003 p 133) Although as Montenegro grew part of Yugoslavia with Serbia, they gained similar culture aspects which now affects the national identity on a different level today.  

To start off in the year 2006 in May, Montenegro used its right to assemble a referendum on independence from the two-state union under the Constitutional Charter of Serbia and Montenegro. Then in June, “the vote for severing ties with Serbia barely exceeded 55%” meaning Montenegro had officially now reclaimed its independence and country’s union with Serbia was dissolved (World Factbook, 2011). Therefore, Montenegro became a new state as part of the Balkans.  

Since Montenegro and Serbia share roots in history, speak the same language, and practice the same Orthodox faith, the connection between Serbs and Montenegrins is strong since Montenegro was part of Yugoslavia with Serbia from 1992 till 2006 when Montenegro won independence (World Factbook, 2011).For this reason, Vladmir Dulović states from his article, Socialist Intercessions: The Earliest Demands for a Separate Montenegrin Language, (2013) that, “the strive towards a separate Montenegrin language was used to bind the inhabitants of the recently shaped republic into one whole while at the same time separating them from the imaginary “other” (Dulović 2013 p 168). Therefore, in 2007, when Montenegro had won their independence, they established their first separated official language, Montenegrin, to “attempt to consolidate their vision of independent statehood with that of a separate Montenegrin identity” (Jovanović 2018 p 70). To be different from Serbia, which uses the “Cyrillic alphabet”, the Montenegrin language chose to utilize the “Latin script” more than the “Cyrillic alphabet”, along with even adding a “few of additional letters” to better distinguish itself from Serbia (Marković ​2017). However, according to The World Factbook (2011), even though Montenegrin is the official language of Montenegro, only 37% of the population speak it and around 42% of people speak Serbian still. Demonstrating that the distinct language of Montenegrin has its own set of regulations and is not spoken as much as the Serbian language Montenegro. The people of Montenegro speak Serbian more because pushing a different language on a person and not letting them recognize it by its proper name is a violation of a nation's democratic rights.  

Additionally, Srdja Pavlović (2003) explains how Serbian people view Montenegrin people. He specifically claims that “From the Serbian perspective, Montenegrins were and still are ethnic Serbs living in Montenegro, and their state is regarded as proof of the continuity of Serb presence in the region from medieval times to present” (Pavlović 2003 p 132). This then leads into how the national identity of Montenegro is not as strong since they share not only the same language as Serbia but are also linked with Serbia as they share the one of the most important factors, religion. According to the World Factbook (2011) about 72% of people practice the Orthodox religion in Montenegro which is also the same religion as Serbia. The national church in Montenegro is the “Serbian Orthodox church” which for Montenegrins, is perceived as a “threat” to their cultural and political freedom and their national identify overall (Puppinck 2020). Even so reported from an article Religion and Politics: Demonstrations in Montenegro by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project stated that, 

“The Serbian Orthodox Church is continually listed as one of the most respected institutions in the country. The rival Montenegrin Orthodox Church, which is not canonically recognized, is considered one of the least respected institutions in the country. Many view it as a state building institution rather than a purely religious institution” (ACLED 2020 p 1). 

Following this Montenegrins claim that the relationship between the Serbian government and the Serbian orthodox church demonstrates that the church is a significant tool for Serbia to maintain influence over Montenegro directly and indirectly, particularly among the huge number of people who still identify as Serbian. They argue that Montenegro should have its own independent church as it is its own independent state, although those who identify as Serbian say that the issue is being utilized by Montenegrin hardliners to push a varied agenda for their own nationalist political purpose. In addition, there have been many protests against the Serbian orthodox church in Montenegro that even as recently as September 2021, “police in Montenegro have fired teargas at protesters as the new head of the Serbian Orthodox church in the country arrived by helicopter for his inauguration” (The Guardian 2021). Montenegrins are protesting against the Serbian Orthodox church because instead of having their own Montenegrin Orthodox church they are stuck still with the Serbian authority of the Orthodox church that also has a grand influence over the country even though Montenegro is independent.  

Furthermore, the relationship between Montenegro and Serbia can be defined and is connected to “othering.” According to the Oxford English Dictionary, othering is defined as, “The perception of an entity as distinct in relation to other entities; (in later use) spec. the perception or representation of a person or group of people as fundamentally alien from another, frequently more powerful, group” (Oxford 2019). Accordingly, Serbia has built a Serbian value system and has deconstructed the Montenegrin national consciousness, meaning that the “Other” for Montenegro is Serbia and is also, “true enemy of the Montenegrin nation’ in the Montenegrin nationalists’ language ideology” (Jovanović 2018 p 70). So, connecting back to the definition of national identity and nationalism, “the significant other in these cases serves in overcoming the crisis because it unites the people in front of a common enemy, it reminds them “who we are” and emphasizes that “we are different and unique” (Jovanović 2018 p 73). Furthermore, Serbia is in fact known the “other” in this situation since they still big influence over Montenegro with language and religion and especially how they are interlinked with Montenegro because of the Serbian Orthodox Church. Again, goes back to how there was a major pressure put on the Montenegrin language because it was specifically made for the distinguish from Serbia, the “other.” 

In conclusion, Montenegro’s national identity is weak and struggles as their culture, mainly religion, is similar to their “other”, Serbia as they share the Serbian Orthodox church. Which emphasizes the great importance behind when Montenegro was not part of Yugoslavia and the Montenegrin language as they are great highlights of the true Montenegrin national identity.  

 

Word count: [1192]

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project. (2020). Religion and Politics: Demonstrations in Montenegro. ACLED. Retrieved January 24, 2022, from https://www-jstor-org.proxy.seattleu.edu/stable/resrep27438?Search=yes&resultItemClick=true&searchText=montenegro%2Borthodox%2Bserbian%2Bchurch&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dmontenegro%2Borthodox%2Bserbian%2Bchurch%26so%3Drel&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&refreqid=fastly-default%3Ae74bab098336f6385eddc02008ca099e&seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents

Central Intelligence Agency. (2021). Montenegro. In CIA World Factbook. Retrieved January 14, 2022, from https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/montenegro/#government

Dulović, V. (2013). Socialist Intercessions: The Earliest Demands for a Separate Montenegrin Language. Socialist Intercessions. Retrieved January 24, 2022, from https://web-p-ebscohost-com.proxy.seattleu.edu/ehost/detail/detail?vid=0&sid=bd772d6f-6ffa-419f-b6e6-146a81b34f81%40redis&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#AN=85587958&db=a9h

France-Presse, A. (2021, September 5). Montenegro police teargas protesters against Serbian Orthodox Church. The Guardian. Retrieved January 23, 2022, from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/05/montenegro-police-teargas-protesters-against-serbian-orthodox-church

 

Jovanović, S. M. (2018, December 1). The discursive creation of the 'montenegrin language' and Montenegrin linguistic nationalism in the 21 Century. Acta Universitatis Sapientiae, European and Regional Studies. Retrieved January 24, 2022, from https://www.sciendo.com/article/10.2478/auseur-2018-0005

Marković, D. (2017, October 17). Bosnian, Croatian, Montenegrin, Serbian... what is the difference? littera. Retrieved February 7, 2022, from https://www.littera-sr.com/single-post/2017/10/05/Bosnian-Croatian-Montenegrin-Serbian-What-is-the-Difference

Morrison, K. (2009). Montenegro: A modern history. I.B. Tauris & Co Ltd.

Oxford English Dictionary. (n.d.). Othering. In OED Online. Retrieved January 24, 2022, from https://www.oed.com/view/Entry/263203?rskey=dpD28D&result=2&isAdvanced=false#eid

Oxford English Dictionary. (n.d.). National Identity. In OED Online. Retrieved February 7, 2022, from https://www.oed.com/view/Entry/125287?redirectedFrom=national+identity#eid35384452

Pavlović, S. (2003). Literature, Social Poetics, and Identity Construction in Montenegro. Jstor. Retrieved January 24, 2022, from https://www-jstor-org.proxy.seattleu.edu/stable/20020201?Search=yes&resultItemClick=true&searchText=montenegro%2Bnational%2Bidentity&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dmontenegro%2Bnational%2Bidentity%26so%3Drel&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&refreqid=fastly-default%3A719ac7fbbe3fd7605f85f9ca2bbbac36&seq=10#metadata_info_tab_contents

 

Puppinck, G. (2020, January 28). Overview on the law against the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro. European Centre for Law and Justice. Retrieved February 8, 2022, from https://eclj.org/religious-autonomy/coe/overview-on-the-law-against-the-serbian-orthodox-church-in-montenegro

Triandafyllidou, A. (1998). National identity and the 'other'. Ethnic and racial studies. Retrieved January 23, 2022, from https://primo.seattleu.edu/primo-explore/fulldisplay?docid=TN_cdi_proquest_journals_1518342630&vid=SUP5&search_scope=seau_rec_1&tab=default_tab&lang=en_US&context=PC

Welcome to my blog!

 Hi my name is Vivian and this will be my blog about Montenegro participating in Eurovision the song contest through the years. They have been included in the contest over eleven times since 2007 so I will be going into detail and describing each of the different performances. 

Photo creds:https://eurovoix.com/2020/10/12/montenegro-no-eurovision-2021/