Pitchfork

Photo by Ashley Williamson

Björk's "Declare Independence" is a powerful, abrasive anthem about freedom; as Björk told us in an interview earlier this year, the song was written about the situation in Greenland and the Faroe Islands, both of which are politically bound to Denmark.

According to an Iceland Review Online story, the Icelandic superstar brought the song's message to an extremely hot-button issue last week, when she dedicated "Declare Independence" to Kosovo at two concerts in Tokyo. Kosovo declared its own independence from Serbia last week, sparking both celebrations and protests.

Iceland Review reports that the dedications led to the cancellation of Björk's planned performance in Novi Sad, Serbia this summer. According to various internet sources, that performance was to be at the EXIT Festival, which takes place this year from July 10-13.

Organizers explained their cancellation of Björk's appearance as the result of an inability to guarantee security for concertgoers, according to Iceland Review Online source Morgunbladid.

Morgunbladid reports that in response to the cancellation, Björk said, "Maybe a Serb attended my concert [in Tokyo] and called home, and therefore the concert in Novi Sad was cancelled."

Thanks to Daniel La France for the tip.

Björk has plenty of tour dates left across the world, continuing February 28 in Hong Kong.

Björk:

02-28 Hong Kong, China - Asiaworld Arena
03-02 Shanghai, China - Changning Arena
04-01 Adelaide, Australia - Adelaide Showground (Big Day Out Festival)
04-11 Manchester, England - Apollo
04-14 London, England - Hammersmith Apollo
04-17 London, England - Hammersmith Apollo
04-20 London, England - Hammersmith Apollo
04-22 Plymouth, England - Plymouth Pavilions
04-25 Wolverhampton, England - Civic Hall
04-28 Belfast, Northern Ireland - Waterfront
05-01 Blackpool, England - Empress Ballroom
05-04 Sheffield, England - City Hall
07-20 Ferropolis, Germany - Melt! Festival
08-07 Zambujeira do Mar, Portugal - Festival Sudoeste TMN