Every day is a school day...

I'm delighted to have been offered the opportunity to run a short course on Eurovision at City Lit in London in March. The course will chart the highs and lows of 60 years of Eurovision and will begin on Sunday 15 March from 14:00-17:00. It will take place each Sunday until 29 March.

Specific topics that will be covered:

- Gender and sexual identity
- Politics
- Social change
- Broadcasting history
- National identity and nation branding
- Culture

More details can be found here - go on, sign up! There might even be a special guest from Eurovision itself...

Australia in Austria!

This is one of the more surreal blogs I've posted... 

Australians have been loyal and enthusiastic fans of Eurovision over the years and this year it seems that the EBU is rewarding them for their unwavering support. Australia, yes AUSTRALIA have been invited to enter the Eurovision Song Contest!

It might seem a little ridiculous at first but Eurovision already has entrants which lie outwith the conventional borders of Europe; Azerbaijan and Israel. In 1980 Morocco entered and there were plans for Tunisia and Lebanon to take to the stage once upon a time.

Whilst many say that political tensions come to the foreground when it comes to Eurovision, I think it unites us. Having a country over the other side of the world take part is entirely in-keeping with the general ethos of the competition. Eurovision is huge down under, 3 million people watched the show last year. With so many European expats (and those Aussies of European descent) it makes sense for Australia to be invited to the party. The more the merrier I say!

In the press release Executive Supervisor of the ESC, Jon Ola Sand said “At the very heart of the Eurovision Song Contest is the importance of bringing countries together to celebrate diversity, music and culture. We have admired and respected SBS’s support of Eurovision for many years now and wanted to extend the invitation for Australia to join us in this special 60th Anniversary of the Contest. It would be remiss of us to throw the world’s biggest party and not invite our Australian friends, who have such a long history and connection with Eurovision” - couldn't agree more Jon Ola! 

This isn't the first time that Australia has featured in Eurovision; practically every year the presenters make reference to those watching Down Under. In 2013 a tribute to Australia's love of the contest was shown during the semi finals, and Australian singer Jessica Mauboy performed as the interval act in the second semi final in 2014. Australian singers have participated for other countries in the Eurovision Song Contest in the past including Olivia Newton John and Gina G for the UK and Jane Comerford who was part of Germany’s 2006 entrants Texas Lightning.

It'll be typical, Australia will enter for a bit of fun and probably win the damn thing! Should Australia win the contest it has been agreed that the broadcaster, SBS, will co-host the contest in a European city with another EBU member - a chance for the BBC to show off its technical skills perhaps?

Celebrate good times...

It's now been confirmed that the BBC will mark the 60th Eurovision Song Contest by hosting a "Eurovision Greatest Hits" show at the Hammersmith Apollo in London on 31 March (it was reported that it would be in the Albert Hall - remember that Wikipedia isn't to be trusted!) Whilst some fans have expressed disappointment at it not being live show, and about the size of the venue, I think this is great news. The BBC might not have always got it right when it comes to Eurovision, but they're a world-class broadcaster. In terms of production values, the 1998 contest, the most recent Eurovision that the BBC hosted, was ground-breaking and I'm certain that we are going to have a spectacular show on the night.

The European Broadcasting Union is also arranging a 60th anniversary conference which will take place in London in April. I'm delighted to be speaking at this event and will present an overview of some of my research. More details here. About ten years ago I was practically laughed out the room when I asked a question about Eurovision at an academic conference, how times have changed...

This Saturday sees the Melodifestivalen kick off in Sweden, the firm fan favourite and most popular of all national final formats. Of course this also means that various rumours have begun to circulate about the UK entry for Vienna. Last month I filmed a documentary on Eurovision for BBC Four, and whilst the team did not disclose any specific information about the UK entry for 2015, they did say that the deal with the act was nearly complete. Good things come to those who wait...

Happy new year!

Happy new year everyone! I cannot believe that it's 2015 already and that the Eurovision season is already under way. Last week Albania and Belarus chose their respective entries for Vienna and in the coming weeks the season will really kick off - and of course all eyes will turn to Sweden and to Melodifestivalen next month.

 

2014 was a bittersweet year in many ways. In terms of Eurovision work, it was a really successful year for me; I was busier than ever and I finally published my book. It hasn't exactly set the charts on fire but it was only ever intended as something for my CV and I'm glad to have finished the damn thing. On a personal level, 2014 was especially challenging with illness in my family and re-locating to London. I am now looking forward, with optimism, to 2015 and all that lies ahead.

 

2015 will see the 60th Eurovision Song Contest take place and there are various rumours currently going around about what is planned to mark the occasion. I think it's fair to say that the plans will include a little more than the montage shown at the start of the 1995 contest! More details to follow soon once they are confirmed.

 

I'm currently undertaking Dry January which is a campaign led by Alcohol Concern. I wanted a challenge and anyone who knows me will know that this is a challenge! Hopefully it'll help me with my marathon training which has now begun. I'm going to be running London, Edinburgh, Reykjavík and Dublin. If that doesn't help me to shed the lbs then I don't know what will! I'm looking forward to attending Eurofest at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern on 23rd January - stone cold sober!

 

Thanks for reading and I wish everyone a happy 2015 - let the Eurovision countdown begin! 

Goodbye summer and hello Eurovision season!

Where has the time gone? It’s been a pretty eventful few months for me. I’ve recently moved to London to take up a new role in communications. London’s an incredibly special place and signal failures on the tube aside, I’m really enjoying it. I’m still keeping up to date with my interests in Ukraine and Estonia, which earlier this month became the first country in the post-Soviet space to pass a law recognising same-sex partnerships. Bravo Eesti! Scotland was very much in my mind too for obvious reasons. Whatever the rights or wrongs of the debates around independence, it’s engaged and empowered people which is fantastic. I hope this spirit spreads to the rest of the UK. Although I have a feeling we might not have seen the end of the Scottish independence question…

The nights are drawing in, winter is coming which means one thing – the Eurovision season is about to begin! Today tickets went on sale for the Swedish extravaganza that is Melodifestivalen. In the coming weeks the various names for national selections will be announced. No doubt the various rumours will start too. I was pleased to see the BBC make an announcement about its plans for Eurovision 2015. The UK can win this thing, we just need to make a concerted effort, with a decent song and perhaps a little luck. Wouldn’t it be great for us Brits to win the 60^th contest?

Conchita has been doing the rounds over the summer and more recently made an appearance at the European Parliament in Brussels – she’s a fantastic ambassador for equality and indeed Eurovision. In summer I tend to fall away from Eurovision, even I reach saturation point! However I’m looking forward to the coming season and all the excitement that it’ll no doubt bring!

Estonian independence still matters

Today, 20 August 2014, marks the 23rd anniversary of the restoration of independence in Estonia. I use the term restoration deliberately since independence was originally declared back in 1918. History of course had other ideas. 

As many people know I have a love for Estonia and all things Estonian. It's a fascinating country with a rich and vibrant history, culture and language (not to mention difficult!) I loved living and studying in the Estonia and was fortunate to hear very personal stories from my Estonian friends who vividly remember those tense times of August 1991. On Facebook this morning I was struck by one post in particular, from Jarmo Siim, who wrote:

"23 years ago today, I was very afraid. I had seen tanks on TV, approaching Tallinn. This was following the events in Latvia and Lithuania months before where hundreds of people were injured or killed. It was a part of the Soviet coup. My family was scared as was the whole nation. 

But the decision had already been made earlier, in the heads of Estonians - there was no way back, it was either freedom or Siberia. Both would do. At 23:03 local time, the parliament re-established the independence of the Republic Of Estonia. We've never looked back. 

Now, Estonia is one of the most free and successful European countries that emerged from the Soviet Union. That is why we stand by with everyone who has not been that fortunate. And hope that one day they will also have the luck to tell a similar story.

Happy second birthday, my dear Estonia!"

My own memories are relatively vague, I remember my teacher at school telling me that the "map of the USSR is going to be out of date soon" and that's about it. Jarmo's status struck a chord with me - it must have been terrifying seeing scenes on TV of protestors being gunned down by an increasingly erratic army, desperate to maintain control. There is also a crucial point to be made - Estonia, and the other Baltic States, were occupied. They did not voluntarily join the Soviet Union. This was never forgotten and was arguably one of the main motivating factors in pushing for full independence that summer. The choice was stark - face a certain bleak future or rejoin the world of nations.

Estonia has made some truly remarkable strides over the past two decades and is evidence that small countries can flourish with independence. Something worth bearing in mind as the independence referendum gets underway in Scotland. Of course there have been tensions and difficulties along the way, and the road ahead may not be smooth, but Estonia is a peaceful European country which unlike others, respects human rights and international law. Whilst in the 1990s there were accusations that Russian speakers in Estonia were being persecuted, many of those people actually supported Estonian independence and have adapted to life after the Soviet Union.

People might laugh at Eurovision but for nations eager to be seen and heard on the world stage, such events are unique opportunities and one which Estonia used well. Estonian independence is an important event to mark, arguably more important now than ever. Estonia, and other countries, are nervously looking over their shoulders at events which are continuing to unfold in Ukraine. The context is different of course, but given the unpredictable and volatile world order of today, I'm sure many Estonians are celebrating the fact that they made a clean break from the past when they did.

In September I'm going on the so-called "Eurovision Cruise" from Helsinki to Tallinn and I'm so looking forward to returning to Estonia, a country which I have taken to my heart. Elagu Eesti - Ma armastan sind! 

 Eurovision 2009: Flying the Estonian flag in Moscow with Natalia from Russia

Time, time changes everything...

Good old Nicki French was so right when she sang that!

Change is ahead for me. I've recently accepted a new job in London starting in September. I'm really looking forward to it. I've loved living in Cardiff for the past three years but it's too good an opportunity to turn down and I think I'll love living in London. 

It's been the usual quiet few months in the land of Eurovision. Austria announced that Vienna will host the 60th Eurovision Song Contest - much to the delight of fans. It seems like the logical (and logistical) choice. Already the autumn seems to be coming (and it's only August) which means that it's not too long until the national final season starts again! 

Next stop: London!