Orphaned Land’s Request for Nobel Peace Prize Support Is Insulting

When the press release concerning Orphaned Land‘s request for supporting their petition to the Nobel Peace Prize Committee came through, it smacked of ignorance, ego, and a disrespect for Nobel Peace Prize laureates.

A globally unknown band seeking recognition for a NOBEL PEACE PRIZE simply because their music doesn’t speak down to another culture, and is offered for free download in contentious parts of the world? Please. Jog on.

Prior winners include:

• “For their work for the banning and clearing of anti-personnel mines”
• “for their efforts to diminish the part played by nuclear arms in international politics and, in the longer run, to eliminate such arms”
• “for the Camp David Agreement, which brought about a negotiated peace between Egypt and Israel”

Not to mention the founding of the Red Cross and the recognition of Mother Theresa. It’s OK though. Let’s give an Israeli band who happens to collaborate with those in the Arab world a Nobel Peace Prize!

It’s insulting and ignorant, and the following statement sent from their label should never have seen the light of day:

ORPHANED LAND is one of the most respected and loved musicians over the entire globe, a band that dedicates their existence to the world language of metal music and cross-cultural understanding. While not overtly political, ORPHANED LAND is nevertheless proud of creating a reality of coexistence that has escaped politicians and peacemakers alike. They often speak of the power of music to turn purported enemies into friends, frequently pay homage and encourage collaborations with Arab and Muslim artists and have made their latest album free to download for anyone in a number of Middle Eastern and North African countries. Over the past years these warriors of light achieved great things for the freedom of art, cultural and religious understanding.

 Now, a petition to the Norwegian Nobel Committee has been submitted to consider ORPHANED LAND for the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize, and we think this is really something to support.”