New Delhi: On 17 June, the German Embassy in India expressed on X (formerly Twitter) its excitement over people opting for Indian dance moves to show their enthusiasm for the 2024 UEFA European Football Championship, simply known as Euro 2024.
“We love the Indian dance moves & passion for the #EURO2024, spotted in Germany a few days ago! Let’s celebrate football & friendship together,” the German Embassy said in a post on X, with a video showing people grooving to Punjabi beats.
The 17th edition of UEFA EURO started on 14 June, and will continue till 14 July. Every four years, the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) organises this international football championship for the men’s national teams of its member associations.
A total of 24 teams are participating, including Georgia, which is making its debut in this championship.
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‘Unofficial anthem’ of Euro 2024
In the video shared by the German Embassy, two men, with the German flag wrapped around their waists, can be seen singing a Punjabi song, with several others behind them.
We love the Indian dance moves & passion for the #EURo2024, spotted in Germany a few days ago! Let’s celebrate football ⚽️ & friendship 🤝together 🇩🇪🇮🇳. pic.twitter.com/LRPYkjqUWl
— German Embassy India (@GermanyinIndia) June 17, 2024
The song roughly translates to: “This EuroCup in Germany will be very colourful. There are 24 countries playing this time. It will be a lot of fun. We are cheering for our boys. They will win. We were three-time champions. Now, it is only a matter of a repeat. We should use Home Advantage and win everything. It has been 36 years since the honour came to us in Germany. Our boys will make things right again. Lovely and Monty trust the boys, who are a mix of new and old players, and are capable of everything. This EuroCup in Germany!”
Lovely and Monty are the two Punjabis seen dancing in the video with the German flag around their waists. They have been living in Hamburg for 40 years.
Praising the infectious energy of the song, Dr Philipp Ackermann, the German Ambassador to India and Bhutan, told reporters, “I love the song. It has such an irresistible and happy spirit. And it is incredibly heartening to see how many people in Germany love this song as well! The Bhangu brothers performed ‘diese EM 2024’”.
Dr Ackermann praised Monty and Lovely for creating what he called the “unofficial anthem” of the football championship taking place in Germany.
“Monty and Lovely have created a new genre — Dollywood, which is Bollywood made in Deutschland. They have been composing music for many years now, German lyrics on Punjabi beats, and it is incredible to see this success at the special occasion of the Euros in Germany! For me, the song also symbolises the great contribution of Indian music and culture as a whole in Germany,” he said.
He also said that the song has created a wonderful connection between India and Germany, celebrating a natural and joyful blend of their cultures as they cheer for football and friendship together.
A record number of Indians are living, studying, and working in Germany. Highlighting this, Dr Ackermann expressed delight at how Indian culture is increasingly influencing the country.
(Edited by Radifah Kabir)
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