Romanian Christians Want Lady Gaga Concert Banned
By Marian Chiriac
Orthodox and nationalist groups in Romania are calling for a ban on Lady Gaga’s concert in Bucharest, alleging that some of her songs are against “Christian morals” and encourage homosexuality.
Around 3,500 people have signed a petition urging the authorities not to allow the presence of the American pop star in Romania.
“We are a Christian people. Blasphemy and the negation of the God are sins, which cannot be forgiven. Lady Gaga is a malign person and her presence in Romania should be forbidden,” the petition says.
Gigi Becali, a far right-politician and member of the European Parliament, is backing the protest, though he does not think a ban realistic.
“We Romanians cannot forbid her concert. But we should know that she is Satan’s disciple, so we can ignore her music and her presence here,” Becali, who owns Romania’s biggest football club, Steaua Bucharest, said.
Although many have spoken out against the Lady Gaga concert, many Romanians take the other side.
“She is a great singer with an extraordinary voice. Her outfits are so extreme and recognizable… she is a real artist whom I love a good deal,” musician Anda Adam, a big fan of the star, says.
He is one of the thousands Romanians who on August 16 are expected to pack Piata Constitutiei, in downtown Bucharest, to attend the concert.
The pop star has invited her fans to wear the most extravagant costumes they have for a place in the so-called Monster Pit. Lady Gaga is well known for her own extravagant outfits.
The show will be held on a 26-metre-high, 150-metre-long stage, one of the biggest in the history of concerts in Romania.
The stage will ressemble a Gothic castle, with towers, medieval sculptures and traps, just as Lady Gaga herself designed.
Children of all ages have been offered free entry to the concert, a measure that has not been welcomed by the singer’s critics.
The Lady Gaga show in Bucharest is part of the tour “The Born This Way Ball.”
The pop singer and songwriter is recognized for her flamboyant, diverse and often controversial contributions to the music industry through her fashion, performances and music videos.
Her recent tour in some Asian countries also stirred protests and calls for bans from Christian and Muslim groups.
