Page 12 - ARUBA TODAY
P. 12
A12 WORLD NEWS
Thursday 7 June 2018
Argentine soccer fans write stadium anthems
By DEBORA REY San Lorenzo achieved
RODRIGO ABD some renown in 2013 when
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina one of its fans, an Argentine
(AP) — The San Lorenzo cardinal called Jorge Mario
soccer team has just scored Bergoglio, became Pope.
the decisive goal to qualify Then it shot to fame again
for the Libertadores Cup. when soccer fans chanted
But in the stands behind its soccer-themed version
one of the goals, fans of of "Despacito," composed
the Argentine team barely by a small group of
notice. devotees called "Escuela
In those seats, reserved de Tablones" ("School of
for the most passionate Wooden Planks"), in honor
followers, nobody is paying of the wooden seats in
much attention to the many stadiums. The chant
match. Under a sea of went viral on social media
the team's blue and red and then was taken up
banners, so many that they by stadium crowds in
make it almost impossible Spain, Portugal, Italy, South
to see the pitch, the fans Korea, Brazil, Uruguay and
dance, jump and sing. Ecuador. Surprised by
They play trumpets and the phenomenon, Fonsi
crash cymbals and chant thanked San Lorenzo:
pop songs with the lyrics In this May 1, 2018 photo, musicians from the School of Wooden Planks, a name in honor of the "You were the first to take
changed, turning them into wooden bleachers in many stadiums, create new songs for the fans of the San Lorenzo soccer 'Despacito's melody and
odes to their team. team and Argentina's national team. turn it into an anthem to
Carolina Rutkoweski waves Associated Press cheer on your team."
her arms and shakes her The new song was
hips as she sings: "San and red runs in my soul," to in your body, through your side, both dressed in blue recorded by the Wooden
Lorenzo, what I feel I can't the music of Luis Fonsi's hit veins. No need to watch it," and red San Lorenzo shirts, Planks in a house outside
explain / I'll be with you "Despacito." says the 44-year old woman at halftime of the game Buenos Aires and was
always / Because the blue "You feel the football match with her young son at her against another Argentine released last month. The
team, Chacarita. song is based on "Échame
San Lorenzo is not a la culpa," another track by
powerhouse like Boca Fonsi. Wooden Planks said
Juniors or River Plate, but they contacted the Puerto
its fan base is known for Rican singer's recording
its talent in rewriting local label and it agreed to let
hit songs, turning them them record the soccer-
into stadium anthems. themed version.
Despite intense rivalries San Lorenzo, one of
that sometimes turn violent, Argentina's top five soccer
other teams acknowledge clubs, was formed in 1908
San Lorenzo's creativity and in a middle-class suburb of
often adapt the chants for Buenos Aires. Initially the
their own cheers. team played in a stadium
Only weeks before the dubbed "El Gasómetro"
start of the World Cup, San because it resembled an
Lorenzo fans have written a industrial gas field, until in
new song for the Argentine 1979 the country's then
national team, hoping it will military rulers seized the land
become as popular with that would later be sold
players and audience as to a French supermarket
the one sung in stadiums chain. During the 14 years
during the last World Cup, that San Lorenzo lacked
a put-down to host country a home base, it played in
Brazil based on a melody borrowed stadiums and
by Creedence Clearwater was often the butt of jokes
Revival that went "Oh Brazil, and object of disdain by its
tell me how it feels." rivals. It was then that the
"San Lorenzo's songs tell a fans became inspired to
story, it's not just throwing answer with homemade
together some lines that chants. Just as the players
rhyme," said Sergio Peljhan, in their changing rooms
one of the chant's writers. stretch their muscles before
"In soccer culture there are the game, the musical fans
battle songs, they're like a prepare their vocal chords
call to arms. But our songs and practice the lyrics
don't have many insults or that have been bouncing
references to drugs. Our around social media and
intention is to celebrate, WhatsApp messaging
not to inspire violence." groups the past few days.q
