When people think of Čakovec in northern Croatia, usually they’re not thinking of a shockingly, progressive place. But, perhaps that’s just why high school students of Josip Slavenski Gymnasium decided on this move. Certainly, the graduation photo of the school’s 4 E class boldly counters all expectations.
Instead of the usual fun, frivolity and throwing of hats, the students decided for their end-of-term picture to challenge, provoke and confound everyone. The result is absolutely fantastic, ‘breaking free’ of all conformity.
In the Freddie Mercury tribute photo, the Čakovec students are all dressed as the iconic Queen frontman, as seen in the video to the band’s unforgettable ‘I Want To Break Free’ single. In 1984, when the song was originally released, it caused quite the controversy.
Queen and Freddie Mercury ‘I Want to Break Free’
In Europe, the release was well-received, the video adored and the song went to the top of the charts. But, in the USA, it was a different story.
Queen had not considerably troubled the charts in America since their breakthrough 1970s single ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’. But, in 1984, the band released in the U.S. the American version of their multi-platinum ‘Greatest Hits’ album. A hit! Then, they followed it with a new single, ‘Radio Gaga’. Again, a hit! After over a decade of releasing music, Queen were finally on the brink of breaking the most lucrative music market in the world.
So, what did they do? For their next song, ‘I Want To Break Free’, the band decided to appear entirely ‘in drag’, as women, in the video. Although transvestitism is completely unrelated to homosexuality, perhaps the least intelligent members of society presumed this to be the idea of the band’s singer, Freddie Mercury, who was gay. Not so. The idea for the video actually came from Queen drummer Roger Taylor.
American music television simply didn’t understand the video. They refused to screen it. When they did, American audiences were either mystified or horrified. Well, this is a country that once elected Donald Trump for president. The response to this brilliant Freddie Mercury Tribute photo from the students of Čakovec might be comparable, in the least progressive sections of society. You know, the places where people still point to the sky when a plane passes. Or where the music of Queen is considered ‘new’. As, perhaps, is electricity.
4 E Josip Slavenski Gymnasium, Čakovec, Freddie Mercury tribute
And yet, with this outrageous Freddie Mercury Tribute, these Čakovec students have proved themselves to be the best of the future generation. Bold, confrontational, committed and outright funny. In the Freddie Mercury tribute, they stand in front of the banner for the Festival of Alternative Čakovec. It’s a deliberately inclusive event, intended to draw all sections of society. Anyone challenging their sense of fun must simply be regarded as the most miserable, moany and backward of all among us.
Just as the band Queen confounded some with their 1984 release, so too today will these Čakovec students with their Freddie Mercury Tribute. Luckily, there are many more young progressive people in Čakovec and Croatia – and Queen fans – than there are miserable, moany voices. Bravo class 4 E Josip Slavenski Gymnasium, Čakovec!
