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Kofia (Arabic: كوفية‎, meaning "keffiyeh") was a Swedish band from Gothenburg that existed during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The group was founded and led by the Palestinian singer and activist George Totari, who fled Palestine during Israel's 1967 war. The band was composed of Swedish musicians who supported the Palestinian cause, many of them members of the Communist party in Sweden. Kofia's music blended Arabic instruments, such as the oud and the darbuka, with Greek bouzouki and Western rock influences. The band's lyrics, sung in both Swedish and Arabic, expressed solidarity with the Palestinian struggle for liberation and denounced Zionism, imperialism and reactionism. Kofia released four albums, three vinyl records and one cassette, all without record industry support or major label attention. The band gained a name in leftist music scenes internationally and performed at various political and cultural events, such as the Sprängkullen festival in Gothenburg and the Palestine Festival in Beirut. Kofia's most famous song, "Leve Palestina" (Long Live Palestine), became a viral hit in 2023, when it was used as a soundtrack for protests against Israel's war on Gaza. Kofia disbanded in 1987, shortly after the outbreak of the first Intifada in Palestine, but their legacy lives on as a unique example of grassroots musical activism¹²³⁴⁵.

(1) “Leve Palestina”: Story of a Palestinian-Swedish Band Kofia.

(2) Kofia - Leve Palestina, krossa sionismen - YouTube.

(3) 21 February, Online Screening: Kofia – A Revolution Through Music.

(4) Gaza war: Kofia’s viral hit unites the world in protest. https://gulfnews.com/opinion/op-eds/gaza-war-kofias-viral-hit-unites-the-world-in-protest-1.99347949.

(5) Kofia: a revolution through music (Short 2021) - IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt17506318/.

 Discography 

Palestina mitt land (1976): Kofia's debut album, featuring songs of resistance and solidarity with the Palestinian people. The album blended Arabic instruments, such as the oud and the darbuka, with Greek bouzouki and Western rock influences. The album was recorded partly in a studio and partly live at Sprängkullen, a leftist cultural center in Gothenburg¹².

Mitt hemlands jord (1978): Kofia's second album, meaning "My homeland's soil" in Swedish and Arabic. The album continued the musical and political themes of the first one, with songs about the Nakba, the refugee camps, the guerrilla fighters, and the international solidarity movement. The album also included a cover of the famous Egyptian song "Ya Habibi Ta'ala" by Mohamed Abdel Wahab²³.

En hälsning till mitt folk (1984): Kofia's third album, meaning "A greeting to my people" in Swedish. The album was more experimental and diverse than the previous ones, incorporating elements of jazz, reggae, and electronic music. The album also featured guest appearances by other Swedish artists, such as Mikael Wiehe and Nationalteatern. The album's lyrics addressed the Israeli invasion of Lebanon, the Sabra and Shatila massacre, and the Palestinian prisoners²⁴.

Palestine Lives (1988): Kofia's fourth and final album, released as a cassette. The album was a compilation of songs from the previous albums, as well as some new ones. The album was dedicated to the first Intifada, which broke out in 1987 and marked a new phase in the Palestinian struggle. The album's title track, "Palestine Lives", was a reworking of the band's most famous song, "Leve Palestina" (Long Live Palestine), which became a viral hit in 2023²⁵.

Band Members

George Totari: The founder and leader of Kofia, born in Nazareth in 1948. He fled Palestine during Israel's 1967 war and settled in Sweden, where he became active in the Palestinian and leftist movements. He was the main singer and songwriter of Kofia, as well as playing the oud, the guitar, and the bouzouki. He also worked as a journalist, a translator, and a teacher. He died in 2019 at the age of 71⁴⁶.

Bengt Carlsson: A Swedish musician and activist, who joined Kofia in 1976. He played the flute, the saxophone, and the clarinet, as well as singing backup vocals. He was also involved in other musical projects, such as the jazz band Rena Rama and the folk group Filarfolket. He is still active in the Swedish music scene⁴.

Mats Lundälv: A Swedish musician and composer, who joined Kofia in 1978. He played the keyboards, the accordion, and the synthesizer, as well as arranging and producing some of the band's songs. He also collaborated with other Swedish artists, such as Björn Afzelius, Mikael Wiehe, and Nationalteatern. He is currently working as a music teacher and a choir director⁴.

Carina Olsson: A Swedish singer and activist, who joined Kofia in 1980. She sang lead and backup vocals, as well as playing the tambourine and the darbuka. She also participated in other musical and political groups, such as the feminist choir Kvinnokören and the anti-nuclear movement Folket i Bild. She is still singing and campaigning for various causes⁴.

Other members: Kofia had a rotating lineup of musicians and activists, who contributed to the band's music and message. Some of the other members were: Hassan Bakri, Wille Sidén, Magnus Törnblad, Lars Carlsson, Thomas Andersson, Anna-Lena Näsström, Imo Olsson, Andreas Brandt, Ewa Samuelson, Lena Klarström, Sebastian Öberg, and Stefan Engberg¹²⁴.

(1) Kofia Discography | Discogs. https://www.discogs.com/artist/2505172-Kofia.

(2) Kofia Albums: songs, discography, biography, and listening guide - Rate .... https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/kofia.

(3) KOFIA Discography - Download Albums in Hi-Res - Qobuz. https://www.qobuz.com/us-en/interpreter/kofia/13169428.

(4) “Leve Palestina”: Story of a Palestinian-Swedish Band Kofia. https://www.marxistreview.asia/leve-palestina-story-of-a-palestinian-swedish-band-kofia/.

(5) Kofia: A Revolution Through Music (full film) - YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUsSqev9gmE.

(6) Kofia: a revolution through music (Short 2021) - IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt17506318/.