Australia has been a massive fan of Eurovision for decades. We were the first non European nation to do a live broadcast, and consistently give it one of the largest ratings across the world. So, last year we were invited to compete,and came 5th. This year, 2nd!
Australia in the Eurovision???? It's me or is something wrong here? Well, in fact, Australia is so Europe as Israel is, that also participates and even wins
Our multicultural country is made up of a large percentage of European descendants. Thousands of backpackers from Europe a sleeping in vans around Darwin as I type this
And the big question is: Is Europe a geographic entity or a cultural entity? In the second case we, europeans, have much more in common with australians (or at least big part of Australia population) than we have with turkish, for example
Poor Slovenia, crushed again by not even making it to the fnals. I just listened to this year's song and it should have done better. I loved Eva Boto's Verjamem in 2012 and Maraaya's Here For You last year.
tbf, israel has been in eurovision for years and also creates eu issues. What happens next year if the UK (guaranteed a place in the final because of the money we pay for the tv rights) leaves the EU will also be fascinating. last night we had our traditional eurovision dinner party. Five couples each randomly allocated three countries for a total of fifteen dishes to be served when the act is performing. Highlights included olive oil gelato on brioche and gin and tonic cake with a gin and tonic slush.
Australia, Italy and Poland had the best voices and songs imo. As to Australia in euro vision I don't get it. It's not about being in the EU it's about being in continental Europe. Israel is also questionable imo. Turkey is definately right on the bridge. "Western" or non western in character the continental border is there. Lots of countries from Argentina to Canada etc etc are European in character, and many more have European tourism....but are not European. They could come up with intervision and see if it sticks.
The best song rarely wins with eurovision. Same story this year, Ukraine won just because of politics, not voicing my opinion on the politics, but if this is a contest about music it should be about the music...meh.
I'm packing my bags right away....... Haven't considered sleeping in a van for some time, but was more than tempted by your "ad".....
Darn, I missed it - did the guy from Belarus get permission to sing naked amid wolves like he wanted to?