The Transformation of D’Agostino’s Techno Classic into a Right-Wing Anthem in Germany

The popular techno anthem “L’Amour Toujours” by Italian DJ Gigi D’Agostino has sparked outrage and bans in Germany after being adopted by right-wing extremists. The song, released in 1999, has taken on a new and disturbing connotation in recent weeks, leading to calls for its ban at events like the Munich Oktoberfest.

The controversy began when guests at a bar on the German North Sea island of Sylt sang racist slogans to the tune of “L’Amour Toujours,” including “foreigners out” and “Germany to the Germans.” A video of the incident went viral, showing a young black woman being racially insulted and physically assaulted.

In response to the incident, German companies like Deutsche Bank and Vodafone have taken action against employees involved in the racist behavior. The judiciary has also announced consequences for those responsible, with potential prison sentences for incitement to hatred.

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser condemned the slogans as “deeply inhuman and racist,” warning against the shift towards right-wing extremism in the country. Concerns about the far right have been growing in Germany, with reports of extremists discussing mass deportations of immigrants, including those with German citizenship.

The rise of the populist AfD party and an increase in far-right extremist numbers, as reported by Germany’s domestic intelligence agency, highlight the urgent need to address and combat extremist ideologies in the country. DJ D’Agostino, the creator of “L’Amour Toujours,” has distanced himself from the recent racist incidents, emphasizing that the song is about love and unity.