This article was originally published in print in the Swan Hill Guardian on May 18, 2018. This story was written for my arts and culture column Entertain Me.
AS EUROVISION fans celebrated the annual international singing contest with parties around the world this past week, politics could be seen to play a huge part in the competition.
Questions surrounding the contest sometimes focus on why non-European countries are involved? Or, if they win, where will the contest be held the following year?
The grand final of this year’s contest was held in Lisbon, Portugal last weekend.
In 2014 Australia was invited to Denmark to perform. This year’s Australian representative, Jessica Mauboy, was given the honour.
She performed her track ‘Sea of Flags‘ during the the second semi final.
The following year Australia was invited back to the competition in Vienna, but this time as a competitor for the first time in the competition’s history.
Australian Idol’s original winner Guy Sebastian competed as a wild card entry in what was the 60th Eurovision Song Contest. He placed fifth and Australia has been invited back ever since, going strong with their results.
Last year, 2016 The X Factor Australia winner Isaiah Firebrace placed ninth in Kiev, Ukraine, Dami Im came in a close second in Stockholm, Sweden, in 2016 (losing to Ukraine’s Jamala who caused controversy with her politically-charged song), with Mauboy coming in at 20th this year.
This would have most likely left many people scratching their heads, considering the land down under is on the other side of the world!
The situation, however, can easily be explained: on the official Eurovision website it says that we are eligible to participate because the station that broadcasts the contest in Australia, SBS, is a member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) (as are ABC and FreeTV).
Another country that competes that is notably not in Europe is Israel; a country constantly plagued by the ongoing Palestine/Israel conflict. Now that they’ve won this year’s contest with hosting privileges going to Israel next year, will we see countries pulling out of next year’s contest?
Israel has been in the contest since the 1970s (1973) having previously won the contest on three occasions (in 1978, 1979 and 1998).
Many musicians and touring artists have been pressured to pull out of gigs including New Zealand songstress Lorde who was set to play in Israel next month.
Countries pulling out of the competition is nothing new and has happened many times over the competition’s history.
Australia is yet to win but aside from the time difference, would the European competing countries be willing to travel to the other side of the world for the competition?
It is understood that if Australia was to win a European country would be chosen to host the competition the following year.
Lillian Altman 