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The Russian republic of Chechnya has made a rule about music speed. Chechnya has banned songs that are too fast or too slow. It said: "From now on, all musical, vocal and [dance] works should correspond to a tempo of between 80 to 116 beats per minute." Eighty beats per minute is much slower than a lot of modern-day pop music. However, the Russian national anthem is played at 76 beats per minute. There has been no word about whether the anthem can be played. It seems likely it will be an exception to the new rule.
The ban on up-tempo and down-tempo music is to protect Chechnya's culture. The Moscow Times said it was, "to root out any hint of Westernization". Chechnya's leader said the ban was to make music "conform to the Chechen mentality". He said: "Borrowing musical culture from other people's is [not allowed]." Chechnya's culture minister said: "We must bring to…the future of our children the cultural heritage of the Chechen people." Local artists have to rewrite their songs to follow the new tempo. People will no longer be able to listen to techno music or many pop songs.
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