Anders Eriksson’s new CD, “Music for Freedom” is a compact expression of support for those who are persecuted in China. The songs, accompanied by the sound of his acoustic guitar, mixed with tones from the flute, violin, or piano, and in some tracks drums, bass, and electric guitar, resonate simultaneously a sense of urgency as well as hope for the oppressed.
The music in the newly released CD, which Anders described as “a mixture of southern rock, western folk, and northern soul—with some eastern wisdom” calls attentions to the 60 years of repression of the Chinese citizens by their communist rulers.
The fifth track, “They Can’t Make Me Waver” is inspired by the unwavering Falun Gong practitioners who would not summit to the brutal persecution that has gone on for 10 years.
“It tells the story of a man who showed great strength in the face of unimaginable sufferings,” said Anders about the song.
The man’s name was Liu Chengjun. The persecution, started by the Chinese head of the Communist Party, was raging like wild fire. The whole state-owned mass media was mobilized to demonize the popular, traditional cultivation practice of Falun Gong.
In March 2002, Liu and some of his friends tapped into the cable TV networks in Changchun City and Songyuan City to broadcast documentary films that exposed the lies spread by the regime. Many Chinese were shocked by the truth, but Liu was arrested, imprisoned, and tortured. He died in December, 2003.
“There are many heroes like Liu in China, said Anders, referring to the courage of the millions of other Falun Gong practitioners in China living under the persistent threat in an environment of state sanctioned persecution.
Christians and Tibetans too were persecuted for their beliefs. “On a Mission of Peace” (track 3) is dedicated to those who peacefully withstand oppression. In “Getting Closer” (track 2), Anders reflects over what “life is about” and sees a brighter future after “black clouds drift … away.”
The last song, “The Chinese Way” echoes the silent cries of the Chinese people to the “people on the outside” of China. Anders has sung to the general public this summer in Copenhagen, Stockholm, Washington, and several other cities.
