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Kofia: Demonstrationssången, also more widely known as Leve Palestina, initially appears on the 1978 Mitt Hemlands Jord album.
In the late 1970s and early
1980s, Kofia, a solidarity band from Göteborg, Sweden, used music to amplify the
Palestinian struggle. Founded by Palestinian exile George Totari, who fled to
Sweden after Israel’s 1967 war, the band brought together Swedish musicians
united by a shared commitment to justice.
Named after the keffiyeh, a symbol of Palestinian
resistance, Kofia blended Middle Eastern rhythms with Western folk influences.
Their music resonated in leftist circles across Europe, transforming concerts
into acts of solidarity and resistance.
Although nearly fifty years
old, Kofia's "Demonstrationssången," also known as "Leve Palestina," has seen a
new resurgence as a unifying anthem in recent protests. Originally a song of
solidarity for Palestine, its powerful lyrics and melody now resonate with
broader human rights and anti-imperialist movements.
Protestors worldwide chant its verses, reflecting a shared commitment to justice
and solidarity. Social media has amplified its reach, turning it into a rallying
cry that transcends cultural and linguistic barriers.
Leve Palestina (Wikipedia)
Protest Videos:
Muslim Central YouTube Clip (Muslim Central YouTube)
Pro-Palestine protesters in Malmo sing Swedish band Kofia’s pro-Palestine song (Middle East Eye, 11-13-23)
Leve Palestina, Krossa Sionismen (Swedish, English and Danish lyrics) (Danmarx YouTube, 11-9-23)
Band Related:
Kofia: A Revolution Through Music (full film) (Let Palestine Sing YouTube, 3-29-22)
‘Fire, fire!’: A Guide to the Music of Palestinian-Swedish Band Kofia (The Palestine Chronicle, 3-9-20)
Kofia (Discogs)