Austria's national anthem is the perfect celebration of the Alpine country, paying tribute to the mountains and streams Julie Andrews extolled in the Sound of Music, while touching on the "feuds" and "fights" that marred its tumultuous past.
The only problem, according to a group of female Austrian MPs, is that it is horribly sexist. Sixty-four years after its adoption, they have proposed a bill, supported by a majority of MPs, to change the lyrics of Land of Mountains to acknowledge the 51.4% of Austrians who are not men.
The song's first verse, written in 1947 by Paula von Preradovic, says Austria is home to "great sons". The MPs want to tack "and daughters" on the end, ignoring those who complain it doesn't fit the tune. The third stanza refers to a "choir of brothers" – this, say the protesters, should be changed to a "joyous choir".
The only problem, according to a group of female Austrian MPs, is that it is horribly sexist. Sixty-four years after its adoption, they have proposed a bill, supported by a majority of MPs, to change the lyrics of Land of Mountains to acknowledge the 51.4% of Austrians who are not men.
The song's first verse, written in 1947 by Paula von Preradovic, says Austria is home to "great sons". The MPs want to tack "and daughters" on the end, ignoring those who complain it doesn't fit the tune. The third stanza refers to a "choir of brothers" – this, say the protesters, should be changed to a "joyous choir".
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