Women's groups in Sweden have reacted with outrage at the plans by pop group Nordman to “burn” a witch as part of their act in the Karlskrona heats on March 1st.
Elisabeth Åström, chairperson of Kvinnojouren (a women's shelter organisation) in Blekinge, blasted the idea, saying that not only would the act be an insult to women, but also that younger viewers could find the act too frightening and upsetting.
However, Mats Wester, band member of Nordman, defended the band's decision to show the "witch-burning", explaining that their song I lågornas sken (In the Firelight) was inspired by a Swedish television series about witch-hunts in 17th century Sweden. Rather than condemn the song before even seeing it, he asked that viewers to watch the act and make their mind up for themselves, saying that it would be "beautiful and dramatic". Weber also said it was somewhat ironic that a song about prejudiced persecution should end up being persecuted for the same reasons.
"It was an interesting thing that happened (17th Century witch-hunts) – that it was able to happen. It was caused by fear and there still exist fears that make us do stupid things. I think that this is worth thinking about," said Wester. Nordman had a 10th place finish in the 2005 Melodifestivalen with Ödet var min väg.
The winner ot this year's Melodifestivalen will represent Sweden in the second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest on Thursday 22nd May 2008
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