奧地利國歌《山的土地，河的土地》一直被看作是對該國錦繡河山和動蕩歷史的完美寫照。但是，奧地利議會一些女性議員卻認為這首歌的歌詞有嚴重的“性別歧視”意味，并上交提案要求對國歌歌詞進行修改以體現真正的男女平等。他們指出，歌詞中所唱的奧地利是“偉大兒子們的祖國”一句應改為“偉大兒女們的祖國”；而第三節中的“兄弟無間的團體”則應改為“歡樂攜手的團體”。為了宣傳這一提案，著名歌劇演員伊爾迪克?萊蒙迪還特意為修改后的國歌錄制了一個特別的演唱版本。據悉，該提案將于11月22日在奧地利議會憲法委員會進行初步審議，之后議員們會在12月進行投票表決。如獲通過，新版奧地利國歌將從明年1月1日起正式推出。

?Salzburg Fortress by the River

To some, 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. All above a rousing melody that many believe was written by Mozart.

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".

To promote their cause, the top Austro-Hungarian opera singer Ildikó Raimondi has made a special recording of the new version.

Not everyone is happy. Carmen Gartelgruber, the opposition Freedom Party of Austria, mocked the idea. "Next thing someone will suggest that the eagle on Austria's coat of arms should be carrying a make-up bag instead of a sickle," she said during a parliamentary debate earlier this year.

The Green party's Judith Schwentner, one of the bill's initiators, said she had been surprised by the aggression towards the idea from Austria's far-right parties. In a telephone interview on Monday she reported how Stefan Petzner, an MP from the Alliance of the Future of Austria (BZ?), suggested during the bill's first reading that the lyrics might as well be changed so that the song refers not to a "land of cathedrals" but a "land of dominatrixes" – a gag that relies on the similarity for the German word for cathedral (dome) and dominatrixes (dominas). "Austrian politics is still a boys' club," sighed Schwentner. "Only 28% of MPs are women."

Petzner is no stranger to controversy – the 30-year-old ruffled feathers three years ago when he suggested that he had been the gay lover of the former BZ? leader, J?rg Haider, who died in a car crash in 2008.

Schwentner said she believed the lyric change would be "an important symbol for equality in Austria". It wouldn't solve the most pressing problems for women, she admitted – "it won't close the gender pay gap, but it sends an important message that women are also part of this society".

A preliminary decision on the lyric change is expected from the constitutional committee in the Austrian parliament on 22 November. MPs will then vote on the measure in December, said Schwenter.

If it passes, the new version will be sung at all official events from the new year and will feature in all new editions of school textbooks.

Earlier this year Peruvians launched a campaign to change their national anthem because it was too "negative".

Lyrics of Austria's national anthem--Land of Mountains

Land of mountains, land by the stream,

Land of fields, land of cathedrals,

Land of hammers, with a promising future,

You are home to great sons,

A nation highly blessed with beauty,

Much-praised Austria,

Much-praised Austria!

Strongly feuded for, fiercely hard-fought for,

You lie in the middle of the continent

Like a strong heart,

Since the early days of the ancestors you have

Borne the burden of a high mission,

Much tried Austria,

Much tried Austria.

Bravely towards the new ages

See us striding, free, and faithful,

Assiduous and full of hope,

Unified, in fraternal choirs, let us

Pledge allegiance to you, Fatherland

Much beloved Austria,

Much beloved Austria.

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(Agencies)

（中國日報網英語點津 Helen ）