Few events rock the European gay calendar like the Continent’s annual Eurovision bash. For decades, the cheesiest of Europe’s singers have gathered in this bizarre endeavour that has become synonymous with campness and light-hearted competition. (Intentionally so, perhaps, as it is probably a post-war manifestation aimed at bringing more harmony to a continent that has seen its fair share of wars for millenia.)
I’m not big on Eurovision, but inevitably there were half a dozen parties being thrown in honour and I had to agree to at least one. As we sat around, gobbled sushi and downed Veuve I looked at the scorecard with the list of all the countries on it. My mind stumbled a few times. Israel? Turkey? Azerbaijan?! This is a Europe very different from the one we are all used to.
As the show began, and Cirque Du Soleil put us in sheer awe, I noticed the sea of flags waving in the crowd. It was an awesome spectacle. Greece and Turkey, Germany and France – it is a rare and amazing reminder of how far these peoples have come.
Israel’s show was either 2nd or 3rd, and it was partly sung in Arabic. Iceland, one of the most hated nations following the recession, came in second place. Azerbaijan 3rd. What is amazing about Eurovision is not only does it unite all these random cultures, but also that it puts them all on equal footing. Germany, Europe’s largest economy and most populous nation, wasn’t even in the top 20. Iceland, with a population of less than a half a million people, came in second. The slates had been wiped clean before the show, and everyone was there to have fun.
My personal favorite was Moldova! They had amazing energy. Sadly though, they did not win!
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