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Ortel

Ortel is a Czech rock band from Plzeň, led by its namesake, Tomáš Ortel. Founded in 2002, the band has been prone to controversy, and they have been variously described in the media as xenophobic, racist, even Neo-Nazi, based on their image and message.[1][2] In 2015 and 2016, they won second place in the Best Group category of the Český slavík awards. As of 2024, they have released ten studio albums.

Ortel
Ortel performing in 2015
Ortel performing in 2015
Background information
OriginPlzeň, Czech Republic
GenresRock
Years active2002–present
Members
  • Tomáš Ortel
  • Ota
  • Jaroslav
  • Míra
Past members
  • Lucie Běhounková
  • Adam
  • Balů
  • Karlos
Websiteortel.cz

History

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Tomáš Ortel (born Tomáš Hnídek) founded the group in 2002 after leaving the neo-Nazi band Conflict 88.[3] According to his own statements, his motivation for launching the project was dissatisfaction with events following the 1989 Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia.[4] He has stated that the band, while non-political,[5] expresses patriotic sentiments,[6] and he has denied any connection with neo-Nazism.[7]

After its founding, Ortel remained an obscure group[8][9] until their song "Hadr" was selected as the anthem for the Czech Workers' Party.[3] The group rose to prominence due to their reaction to the 2015 European migrant crisis,[8] in the form of anti-refugee rhetoric,[10] as well as their success at the 2015 Český slavík awards, where they won second place.[11] They repeated this feat the following year.[12]

Philanthropy

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Ortel have promoted cancer-related initiatives in the past. In 2014, they supported the foundation Dobrý anděl, helping it gain donors from their fanbase. The charity later severed ties with the band due to the controversial nature of their messaging and image.[13] In 2015 and 2016, they performed at the festival Rockové léto, which is held every year near the town of Litovel in support of cancer patient education.[14][15]

Controversy

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The band has been called right-wing,[11][16] extremist,[17] xenophobic,[18] racist,[19] populist,[20] and Neo-Nazi[21] by various pundits, journalists, and media personalities. These accusations have been countered by others, however, who have defended the group, such as Jan Charvát from the Faculty of Social Sciences at Charles University, a specialist in the extremist music scene.[22]

Ortel's concerts have previously been scrutinized by the Ministry of the Interior in a regular report on extremism. It concluded that the band exemplifies a trend where song lyrics tend towards right-wing extremism but are worded in such a way that the performers are not at risk of criminal prosecution.[23]

Český slavík

Ortel placed second in the Český slavík awards both in 2015 and 2016, and in 2017, allegations of vote brigading in their favour emerged. As a consequence, the event was cancelled in 2018.[24][25]

Reactions

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Over the years, numerous celebrities and public personalities have criticized Ortel for its image and message. Many have refused to perform at or attend events with the group. These include Radek Banga,[26][27] vocalist of the hip hop band Gipsy.cz; singer-songwriter Tomáš Klus;[28] singer Benny Cristo;[29] František Táborský,[30] guitarist and vocalist of the band Chinaski; musician David Koller;[31] the punk band Pipes and Pints;[32] and ČSSD politician Jan Chvojka.[33]

Civil members of the Government Council for Roma Affairs have called on public figures to publicly express their opposition to the group, which they believe is connected to the far right, a movement with a history of anti-Romani sentiment in Czechia and other parts of Europe.[34]

Protests against the band's performances have taken place on a number of occasions, including in Počátky in 2015. Then-President of the Senate Milan Štěch urged the city not to organize such events, and his concern was echoed by senator Václav Láska.[2][35] In February 2016, it was announced that Ortel would perform at the April Říp Pilgrimage, held under Říp hill, near Krabčice. A petition appeared, opposing this on the basis that the event was for families, not supporters of xenophobia and hatred.[36] The petition ultimately failed, and the band proceeded to play their set. Other instances of protests in 2016 include Mladá Boleslav,[37] Olomouc,[38] Mostek,[39] Nový Bor,[40] and Heřmanův Městec.[41]

Band members

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Current

  • Tomáš Ortel – vocals, guitar
  • Ota – guitar
  • Jaroslav – bass
  • Míra – drums

Past

  • Lucie Běhounková – keyboards, vocals[22]
  • Adam – keyboards
  • Balů – guitar
  • Karlos – guitar[42]

Discography

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  • Nevinnej (2007)
  • Co se to stalo (2009)
  • Ideje (2010)
  • Problém (2012)
  • Mešita (2013)
  • Defenestrace (2014)
  • Zůstaň mým domovem (2015)
  • Pochodeň (2017)
  • Diktátor (2019)
  • Zteč (2022)

References

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  1. ^ "Kontroverzní Ortel burcoval v Počátkách proti islámu a multi-kulti světu" [The controversial Ortel raged at the beginning against Islam and a multicultural world]. idnes.cz (in Czech). 5 September 2015. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Město pozvalo xenofobní kapelu Ortel. Chtěli jsme jen kulturu pro lidi, hájí se" [The city invited the xenophobic band Ortel. We just wanted culture for the people, it stated in its defense]. lidovky.cz (in Czech). 3 September 2015. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Slavíkem oceněný Ortel stál u zrodu kapely vzývající Hitlera" [The slavík-awarded Ortel was at the birth of the band invoking Hitler]. echo24.cz (in Czech). 30 November 2015. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  4. ^ Tomáš Ortel – První rozhovor do regionální televize ZAK – 16. 9. 2012 [Tomáš Ortel – First interview on ZAK regional television – 16 September 2012]. youtube.com (in Czech). 16 September 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  5. ^ "Ve Slavících boduje kapela Ortel. Zpívá o Romech a pobouřila muslimy" [Ortel scores points at slavík. They sing about Roma and have outraged Muslims]. idnes.cz (in Czech). 7 November 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  6. ^ "Ortel tvrdí: Nejsme pravicová kapela, jsme vlastenečtí" [Ortel claims: We are not a right-wing band, we are patriotic]. spulak.cz (in Czech). 1 December 2015. Archived from the original on 1 December 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  7. ^ "Skyline ruší koncert v pardubickém klubu. Nechtějí hrát tam, co Ortel" [Skyline cancels concert at Pardubice club. They don't want to play where Ortel does]. idnes.cz (in Czech). 21 September 2015. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  8. ^ a b "Kauza Ortel: Postaví se Kocáb s Čokem na jedno pódium?" [The Ortel case: Will Kocáb and Čok stand on the same stage?]. reflex.cz (in Czech). 18 January 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  9. ^ "Proč jsme tleskali xenofobům? Popoví zpěváci mlčí" [Why did we applaud xenophobes? Pop singers are silent]. echo24.cz (in Czech). 3 December 2015. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  10. ^ "'Uříznou ti hlavu pro Alláha'. Kapela Ortel Českému slavíku nevadí" ['They will cut off your head for Allah'. Český slavík does not mind the band Ortel]. echo24.cz (in Czech). 6 November 2015. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  11. ^ a b "Loni bronz, letos stříbro. Ortel si na Slavících polepšil, někteří na protest odešli ze sálu" [Bronze last year, silver this year. Ortel gained at slavík, some left the hall in protest]. magazin.aktualne.cz (in Czech). 27 November 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  12. ^ "Kontroverzní Ortel na Slavících? Nechci, aby nás vinili z cenzury, říká pořadatel" [Controversial Ortel at slavík? I don't want them to blame us for censorship, says organizer]. lidovky.cz (in Czech). 29 November 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  13. ^ "Ortel pomáhal dětem s rakovinou. Nadace se nyní odvrací" [Ortel helped children with cancer. The foundation is now turning away]. echo24.cz (in Czech). 17 March 2016. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  14. ^ "Charitativní Rockové léto podpoří onkologický program" [The charitable Rockové léto will support oncology program]. itydenik.cz (in Czech). 16 July 2015. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  15. ^ "Rockové léto Červenka aneb festival pro dobrou věc!" [Rockové léto Červenka or a festival for a good cause!]. hudebniknihovna.cz (in Czech). 17 April 2016. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  16. ^ "Ortel tvrdí: Nejsme pravicová kapela, jsme vlastenečtí" [Ortel claims: We are not a right-wing band, we are patriotic]. spulak.cz (in Czech). 1 December 2015. Archived from the original on 1 December 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  17. ^ "Zlatý slavík ve stínu xenofobního Ortelu. Šiky extremistů atakují soutěž o kapelu roku" [Zlatý slavík in the shadow of xenophobic Ortel. The tricks of extremists attack the band of the year competition]. lidovky.cz (in Czech). 13 November 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  18. ^ "Vulgární texty na slavících vadily, xenofobní Ortel ne. Pravidla neporušil, hájí se Mattoni" [Vulgar lyrics at the celebration were a problem, xenophobic Ortel was not. They did not break the rules, Mattoni defends itself.]. lidovky.cz (in Czech). 29 November 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  19. ^ "Smích moderátorů to stvrdil: z ceny Magnesia Litera je sitcom" [The laughter of the moderators confirmed it: the Magnesia Litera award has become a sitcom]. echo24.cz (in Czech). 6 April 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  20. ^ "Hudební glosář: Banga se zachoval správně. Ale muselo k tomu dojít?" [Music glossary: Banga behaved properly. But did it have to happen?]. idovky.cz (in Czech). 29 November 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  21. ^ "Anarchisti a neonacisté plánují o víkendu koncerty v Plzni" [Anarchists and neo-Nazis are planning concerts in Pilsen this weekend]. tiscali.cz (in Czech). 19 November 2010. Archived from the original on 29 November 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  22. ^ a b "Ortel nad Českem" [Ortel over Czechia]. respekt.cz (in Czech). 5 December 2015. Retrieved 27 June 2024. Jan Charvát z Fakulty sociálních věd Univerzity Karlovy, který se specializuje mimo jiné na extremistickou hudební scénu, je k Ortelovi smířlivější. "Má neonacistickou minulost, ale dnes v jeho textech nic takového není" říká.
  23. ^ "Mezi nominovanými na Slavíka je skupina Ortel i její frontman" [Among the nominees for Slavík is the group Ortel and its frontman]. ceskenoviny.cz (in Czech). 27 November 2015. Archived from the original on 2 February 2016. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  24. ^ "Český slavík letos nebude. Kvůli hlasování" [There will be no Český slavík this year. Because of the vote]. novinky.cz (in Czech). 20 September 2018. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  25. ^ "Český slavík letos nebude. Hudební anketa si dá rok pauzu, chce změnit pravidla hlasování" [There will be no Český slavík this year. The music poll will take a year off, it wants to change voting rules]. irozhlas.cz (in Czech). 20 September 2018. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  26. ^ "Propagování nacismu tleskal celý sál, říká Banga, který vypískal Ortela" [The whole hall applauded the promotion of Nazism, says Banga, who booed Ortel]. idnes.cz (in Czech). 27 November 2016. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  27. ^ "'Tleskali jste nacistům.' Gipsy.cz na Slavících vypískal Ortela a odešel ze sálu" ['You applauded Nazis'. Gipsy.cz booed Ortel at Slavík and left the hall]. lidovky.cz (in Czech). 27 November 2016. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  28. ^ "Xenofobie v přímém přenosu? Texty Ortelu se líbí i Haně Zagorové" [Live xenophobia? Hana Zagorová also likes Ortel's lyrics]. echo24.cz (in Czech). 30 November 2015. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  29. ^ "Ben Cristovao nepřišel na slavíky kvůli xenofobům z Ortelu. Kritika ankety sílí, přidávají se další umělci" [Ben Cristovao didn't attend Slavík because of the xenophobes from Ortel. Criticism of the poll is getting stronger, more artists are joining]. romea.cz (in Czech). 28 November 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  30. ^ "Ortel má na Slavících velkou šanci uspět. Nenávistných reakcí se nebojím, říká Tomáš Ortel" [Ortel has a great chance to succeed at Slavík. I am not afraid of hateful reactions, says Tomáš Ortel]. magazin.aktualne.cz (in Czech). 23 November 2016. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  31. ^ "Gesto proti fašismu: Kde hraje Ortel, tam už David Koller nepřijede" [A gesture against fascism: Where Ortel plays, David Koller will no longer perform]. ireport.cz (in Czech). 2 February 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  32. ^ "Je tu Ortel? Tak my nehrajeme" [Is Ortel here? Then we won't play.]. hradecky.denik.cz (in Czech). 10 March 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  33. ^ "Poslanec Chvojka si stěžuje na Českého slavíka. Nelíbí se mu ocenění kapely Ortel" [Deputy Chvojka complains about Český slavík; he doesn't like Ortel's award]. novinky.cz (in Czech). 30 November 2015. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  34. ^ "Nemlčte a nepodporujte xenofobii, apelují kvůli Ortelu členové vládní rady" [Do not be silent and do not support xenophobia, members of the government council make appeal related to Ortel]. lidovky.cz (in Czech). 2 December 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  35. ^ "Počátky chtěly ušetřit. Na slavnost pozvaly kapelu s xenofobními texty" [In the beginning, they wanted to save money. They invited a band with xenophobic lyrics to the party]. idnes.cz (in Czech). 28 July 2015. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  36. ^ "Na Řípské pouti má vystoupit xenofobní Ortel. Lidé sepisují petici proti" [The xenophobic Ortel is scheduled to perform at the Říp Pilgrimage. People are writing a petition against it]. litomericky.denik.cz (in Czech). 21 February 2016. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  37. ^ "Ano, nebo ne? Kauza kapely Ortel naznačuje, kde jsou limity demokracie" [Yes or no? The case of Ortel indicates where the limits of democracy are]. boleslavsky.denik.cz (in Czech). 16 February 2016. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  38. ^ "Ortel v Olomouci? Neumožnit koncert by bylo xenofobní, říká radnice" [Ortel in Olomouc? Not allowing the concert would be xenophobic, says the town hall]. olomoucky.denik.cz (in Czech). 16 February 2016. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  39. ^ "Na Ortel se do Mostku u Chocně chystají možná až stovky lidí" [Perhaps hundreds of people are going to Mostek u Chocná to see Ortel]. denik.cz (in Czech). 8 July 2016. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  40. ^ "Plakátový aktivismus bere i dává" [Poster activism gives and takes]. ceskolipsky.denik.cz (in Czech). 1 October 2016. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  41. ^ "Student z Heřmanova Městce kritizuje připravovaný koncert Ortelu v místní Sokolovně. Budova je u synagogy" [A student from Heřmanův Městec criticizes forthcoming Ortel concert at the local Sokolovna. The building is next to the synagogue]. irozhlas.cz (in Czech). 22 November 2016. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  42. ^ "Papírová válka? Ortel v Českých Libchavách nebude" [A paper war? There will be no Ortel in České Libchavy]. orlicky.denik.cz (in Czech). 16 March 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
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