Sticky Bulgaria Controversy Sweet for Madonna's PR Machine

Editorial |Author: Henry Rowlands | August 28, 2009, Friday // 16:57|  views

Almost every day of the European stage of Madonna's Sticky & Sweet World tour has so far been marked by controversy in what has become one of the most publicized pop tours in living memory.

The Bulgarian leg of Sticky & Sweet is no different. The concert, at Sofia's Vasil Levski Stadium on Saturday, is expected to be attended by about 50 000 people but not everyone in the country is happy about her arrival.

There was a sarcastic tone in the Bulgarian media when Madonna when Catholic protesters in Poland carried flags and religious painting as they displayed their anger outside the venue of Madonna's 51st birthday concert in Poland.

What has happened since however has been a surprise to many here and abroad. Firstly Bulgaria's Council for Electronic Media (CEM) decided to fine Darik Radio for airing a live message from Madonna in English advertising her upcoming concert in Sofia.

According to the Radio and Television Act, all advertisements in foreign languages are forbidden, and so the commission ordered Darik Radio to pay a penalty, the amount of which is expected to be in the range of BGN 2000 to 15 000.

It didn't stop there however; Orthodox priests last week criticized Madonna for performing on Saturday, which is also a day of lent for Orthodox Christians marking the beheading of John the Baptist, calling it disrespectful.

The Bulgarian Orthodox church then came out in support of the priests and added there own angle; "We express our Christian support and approval for the art of singing, which influences the moral development of people and promotes universal moral values," the powerful church said in a statement issued on Tuesday.

"In some of her choreography and stage scenarios, this singer sends impressive messages which, however, run contrary to Christian morality," the statement said.

The Bulgarian men's party leader in reply suggested that "We say no to Madonna tour and suggest that Patriarch Maxim sings at the Vassil Levksi stadium instead."

The fact that Madonna was booed during her concert in Romania's capital Bucharest after she spoke out on the topic of discrimination against Roma in Eastern Europe has added yet another bag of snakes to the Bulgarian concert mix.

As we can see most of the latest Madonna controversy has been based around religion. Despite being brought up Catholic, Madonna has been a follower of the Kabbalah, a mystical offshoot of Judaism, since 1994.

She has regularly upset members of the Catholic church in her videos and concerts, most famously kissing a black Jesus in her Like A Prayer video. In her last Confessions tour, Madonna also caused further controversy by appearing to be 'crucified' on a bejewelled cross.

What the Churches of the world seem not to have realized is that by criticizing the pop icon they are actually making her wealthier and even more popular in some circles. The truth is that all publicity is good publicity!

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Tags: Madonna, Sticky and Sweet Tour, Bulgaria, Vasil Levski Stadium, controversy, orthodox church, CEM

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