Nothing celebrates the power of people more than the Eurovision Song Contest and it’s on again this weekend!
For over 60 years, audiences around Europe (and all over the world!) have enjoyed over-the-top performances, ranging from ABBA’s explosion onto the international pop-music scene with Waterloo to the Lord of the Rings-inspired rock band Lordi, from the hyperactive Irish twins Jedward to Russia’s dancing Babushkis and the beautiful bearded drag queen Conchita Wurst… the list goes on and on.
With its flashy presentations and crazy costumes, many people side-line Eurovision as “Euro-trash”. While it’s easy to dismiss its legions of loyal fans and aficionados (including me!) as over-zealous patriots and scoff at the lengthy and very serious voting system, you can’t help but be wowed by the event’s longevity and it’s following. Eurovision is celebrating its 63rd anniversary this year – they must be getting something right!
Since its inception in 1956, the Eurovision Song Contest has been an annual celebration of the power of people, their creativity and their connectedness.
CREATIVITY
Eurovision isn’t just about the performance on the night; it’s about the entire imagining and concept for a performance.
When countries vote for a performance, they aren’t just voting for the performer on stage, but for the song-writers, the costume designers, the choreographers, the musicians – the small army of creative geniuses who bring that country’s song to life on stage. Whether its dancing on treadmills (like Robin Bengtssonin 2017) or a feast of drums and flutes, giant projected flames and an epic wind-machine (like Emmilie de Forestfrom Denmark in 2013) or interacting with gorgeous animations on LED walls (like Måns Zelmerlöw from Sweden in 2015), the jury and audience at home votes for the most imaginative, special, unique and gloriously positive and uplifting performance will take the top prize.
CONNECTEDNESS
The fundamental rule of Eurovision voting is that a country can’t vote for itself.
This means that countries focus on celebrating the creativity of each country and not on being competitive. They focus on the positive and the exciting, and not on flaws or mistakes – they focus on others, and not themselves. Now, although Eurovision tries to be apolitical (after all, Eurovision’s initial purpose was to reunite war-torn Europe after WW2), politics tend to creep in, with neighbouring countries usually giving each other their douze points. However, whatever contextual lens you choose to look through – whether its cultural, political, social, economic – Eurovision is about people. Eurovision is about inclusivity, not exclusivity; it’s about the best of all of us together.
This weekend get ready to celebrate the power of people.
This weekend stop being a cynic, and time to enjoy the unabashed positivity.
This weekend stop being boring and basic and celebrate creativity and connectedness.
This weekend is time for EUROVISION!
After the glitter has settled, and your voice has returned after all the cheering and shouting, you might find yourself in awe of the power of people. Give us your vote (DOUZE POINTS!) and let NKD help you unlock the power of your people, their creativity and their connectedness.