There are millions of people rubbing their hands together in anticipation as the 67th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest approaches on May 10th-13th in London, UK. Due to the amount of competition in modern singing shows, it may be surprising that the contest has such a large following. You would be wrong, Eurovision is more popular than ever!
It’s a national obsession here in Australia… but here’s why Aussies love Eurovision.
There is something glitzy, kitsch and appealing about the Eurovision Song Contest, and people from all walks of life enjoy it. Originally there were only seven countries involved, but over time it has gathered a huge international following. Today, the contest allows participation from countries outside of Europe, including Australia. With up to 200 million viewers and 41 countries participating, celebrating both ethnicity and diversity, Eurovision isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Seeing stars born is one of our favorite things
It doesn’t happen often, but it is fascinating to watch talent rise from obscurity to fame. It has been over 20 years since Celine Dion won for Switzerland, and she is still as popular today as she was in 1988. Do you remember Bucks Fizz from Britain? Having won Eurovision, they went on to have successful careers in Europe. And of course ABBA’s 1974 performance of Waterloo launched their international career.
There is quite a bit of competition out there these days, but we love being the first to view brand new talent before it becomes public property.
Diversity and connectivity are two of our favorite things
Diversity is the hallmark of this competition. There are contestants from countries we might not think twice about, like Belgium, Bulgaria, Latvia, Poland, Georgia, Ukraine, Serbia, Israel, Lithuania… the list goes on and on. As we don’t generally get much exposure to these countries, it’s fascinating to see the people originating from them doing their thing in ways we’ve never imagined before.
In addition, there is a feeling of connectedness. We are all in awe of how the world is getting together to showcase its most talented people! Somehow, it reminds us of our humanity.
Party time is our favorite – especially Eurovision viewing parties!
The Eurovision Song Contest is known for its glam, glitz, and wackiness. It is also a celebration, which is contagious. Who doesn’t enjoy seeing big hair, lurex onesie, sparkling sequins and outrageous make up, while listening to bubblegum Eurodance anthems and such? We’re pretty sure that chicken song had some widespread appeal as well!
There is no surprise that Eurovision viewing parties have taken off in a big way. Because they are hosted in Europe, they can happen at any time in other parts of the world, which makes them the perfect opportunity to party until the wee hours. The contestants’ glamorous (and sometimes bizarre) costumes inspire us, and we want a piece.
We get together with friends, do our best karaoke skills, crack open the beers, wave flags, and dress up as disco dudes, showgirls, chickens, and all kinds of strange and wonderful characters, and watch the show together. We’ve been sporting that killer beard at Eurovision parties since 2014, when Austrian drag queen Conchita Wurst won!
It’s the cringe factor that we love
We all know Eurovision is known for its cheesy and cringe-worthy moments… and that’s part of the fun! Even just the cultural differences among the presenters from different countries make the voting presentations funny. We don’t always get their jokes, and the tumbleweed is hilarious!
From time to time, the show hasn’t nailed certain details, such as awkward line delays. It’s funny because it’s not professional and polished – it’s real life! Additionally, some of the bizarre things the contestants do make us laugh. There are times when the show is simply hysterical – if you need some reminders, check out these ludicrous Eurovision moments!
Even though Australia isn’t in Europe, it has representatives there!
Eurovision wouldn’t be quite as exciting if we weren’t participating, but fortunately we are. We have been participating in the contest every year since 2015 in Vienna (when we were given a ‘wild card’ entry), although we’ve been watching and voting for over 30 years!
Our Aussie X-factor winner Dami Im came second in Sweden in 2016 and we couldn’t get enough. Despite not winning, Dami’s rendition of the Sound of Silence showcased Australia’s talent! The 27-year-old Australian made it to the finals and had plenty of Aussie fans in the audience.
For those of you who are already fans, Dami isn’t the only Australian representative who has been to Eurovision. Guy Sebastian also made the top ten in 2015, followed by Isaiah Firebrace Kate Miller-Heidke in ninth place in 2017 and 2019. For those wondering, here’s the Aussie representative for 2023: The band Voyager’s with the song “Promise”
We think Aussies love Eurovision because of the celebration of diversity and ethnicity, and along with the glitzy costumes its great fun to watch. So if you need any help dressing up for your Eurovision viewing party, Creative Costumes is here to help!
Meet Dale Pruser, our fabulous blogger who lives and breathes costumes! With boundless enthusiasm and a knack for turning heads, she’s the perfect guide to unleash your inner alter ego. Dale’s 30+ years experience in the costume and cosplay industry, make her the go-to source for finding the perfect costume. Her passion and knowledge shine through her blog posts, where she shares helpful tips on finding the perfect costume, DIY hacks to make your outfit stand out, and even delves into the fascinating history behind some of the most iconic characters. Her writing is as vibrant and colorful as the costumes she adores. With a twinkle in her eye and a wardrobe bursting with creativity, Dale dives headfirst into the realm of costumes. She lives for those magical moments when you put on a costume and become someone entirely different—whether it’s a mighty superhero, a swashbuckling pirate, or a glamorous 1920s flapper.