Comments on: Europe unites in song…well, sort of

By: Phersu

Phersu — Sat, 15 May 2004 22:57:16 +0000

How could I forget?

According to this
http://www.eurovisionfrance.com/dossiers/dossiers.php?id_dossier=35
France also had a candidate in Creole in 92, and Dan Ar Braz in Breton in 96.
I wonder if Kieran Healy ’s graph on Crooked Timber should take into account the Gaelic-Breton connection.

By: Phersu

Phersu — Sat, 15 May 2004 22:25:23 +0000

France (which refuses to enter a song in anything other than French, of course)

This is inaccurate.
I remember a song in Corsican a few years ago.
They had something like zero points though.

By: David

David — Sat, 15 May 2004 16:42:24 +0000

I’ve read that the Arab members of the EBU boycott the contest because Israel participates in it.

Nick B., I must confess I’ve never heard any Shakira so I can’t compare Ruslana with her. For what it’s worth, Ruslana’s music is a mixture of eastern European folk music with rock and techno influences.

By: Nick B

Nick B — Sat, 15 May 2004 08:49:46 +0000

Just been doing a little bit more ‘research’ on Eurovision and the EBU. Turns out Morocco entered one contest in the 80s (and never again - the rumour is that their 16th place finish led to an edict from the King the country should never be humiliated like that again) and looking at the list of full members of the EBU, contestants could include Libya, Lebanon and Jordan should they wish to enter…though I’m hoping that the Vatican consider an entry next year. “My Lovely Horse” in Latin, anyone?

By: Young Fogey

Young Fogey — Sat, 15 May 2004 06:35:07 +0000

One of the greatest joys of being European is introducing Americans, Australians and sundry other foreigners to the annual fun-filled festival of crap songs and national bias that is Eurovision. Since phone voting was introduced, Ireland has nearly always got 12 points from the UK - because the entire Catholic population of Northern Ireland (as well as the huge Irish diaspora in GB) can vote for their country!

I note no-one has commented on the fact that it’s taking place in Istanbul. Is this a case of Eurovision, yes, EU, no?

By: Nick B

Nick B — Sat, 15 May 2004 04:48:57 +0000

David - Xena may be another reference, but I was thinking musically (yes, music and the Eurovision don’t always seem to go together) and Shakira came to mind first.

Though my experience of every song is limited to the ten seconds of them I caught at the end of the semi-final Wednesday night…and I’m not sure I’ll be able to see any of the show before the voting tomorrow. Though, that may help me perform the same sort of disinterested analysis of the voting as Kieran at Crooked Timber.

Dragan - sounds interesting. Let us know if you find out more!

By: Dragan Antulov

Dragan Antulov — Sat, 15 May 2004 02:22:25 +0000

Speaking about contestants, according to some reports I have seen, Croatian representative is one of the candidates for the most colorful of all representatives. Guy said that he sang bad because of being poisoned by Tito’s secret police.

I’ll try to cover the story in my blog.

By: David

David — Fri, 14 May 2004 21:06:57 +0000

a Ukrainian Shakira-wannabe…

Actually, Ruslana seems to be more of a Ukrainian Xena.

By: Non Tibi Spiro

Non Tibi Spiro — Fri, 14 May 2004 08:33:31 +0000

Eurovision kitsch. Mostly bad music, interesting voting habits, bad attempts at stand-up comedy from the presenters and the eternal question: Why is Israel, and now the Ukraine etc., included? (not that I have a problem with that, on the contrary)
I saw the semi-final on Nederland 2. Two highly partisan bitchy Dutch queenies, I assume, dissing the male Turkish MC - who was really corny - and expressing their satisfaction that, once again, it was “Suisse nul points”.
Eurovision is one of those silly, folkloristic traditions that in a weird way seem to grow on you. I love it.

By: Scott Martens

Scott Martens — Fri, 14 May 2004 01:45:00 +0000

Yeah, I’m undecided if I should watch coverage on France 3, RTBF, BBC, Nederland 2, Flemish TV1 or on German TV. I’m thinking of just using the remote to power surf betweeen them.