National anthem(s) at 3Arena show
Apologies if this is a bit divisive, I genuinely don't mean it that way.
I was at the Mohanlal show in the 3Arena the other day (Amazing talent at show - KS Chitra chechi is an absolute angel. Grammy award winner Manoj George, Vidhu Pratham etc to name a few but I digress..).
My point is that, at the start, the Irish national anthem was played, and most of the audience stood up for it. At the end of the show, the Indian national anthem was played, and again, most people stood up.
I completely understand why people chose to stand, and I respect that. Personally, I stayed seated. It was not out of disrespect for either country, but because I really don't think national anthems belong to entertainment events.
I've been to the 3Arena many times over the years for concerts, stand up comedy etc, and I've never seen national anthems played before or after a show. To me, it feels like unnecessary performative patriotism rather than something that adds to a cultural event. I know it's thing in India, but do we have to import that here to Ireland?
This isn't a criticism of India or Ireland, and it's certainly not a criticism of those who stood. It's simply my view that if we're organising cultural programmes abroad, we should let the performance speak for itself and leave national anthems for occasions where they're actually appropriate.
Curious to hear what others think.