Chechnya, a Russian republic with a deeply conservative Islamic society, has stirred up controversy with its recent decision to ban music that is deemed either too fast or too slow.
The new ruling, enforced by Chechnya’s culture ministry, stipulates that all music played in public must adhere to a tempo ranging from 80 to 116 beats per minute (BPM).
This standard, which is significantly slower than the tempo of much of today’s popular music, has raised concerns about artistic freedom and cultural expression.
The announcement of the music ban was made earlier this week, with Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov reportedly instructing culture minister Musa Dadayev to ensure that Chechen music “conforms to the Chechen mentality.”
Dadayev echoed this sentiment, stating, “Borrowing musical culture from other peoples is inadmissible,” indicating a desire to preserve traditional Chechen cultural values.
The ban on music that does not meet the BPM criteria has sparked debate among local and regional artists, who have been given until June 1st to revise their music or face prohibition from public performance.
This move effectively prohibits many western music genres, such as rave and techno, which tend to have a higher BPM, from being played in Chechnya.
Chechnya’s Cultural Context
This decision is seen as part of Chechnya’s broader efforts to preserve its cultural identity in the face of perceived external influences. However, it has also drawn criticism from those who view it as a restriction on artistic freedom and an attempt to control cultural expression.
Chechnya has been the subject of international scrutiny in recent years due to its controversial policies and actions. The republic’s vocal support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has drawn condemnation from many in the international community.
Additionally, Chechnya has faced criticism for its treatment of the LGBTQ+ community, with reports of anti-gay purges and violence prompting the United Nations to describe the situation as “acts of persecution and violence on an unprecedented scale.”
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