Guardian.uk: Eurovision: pop or geopolitics, asks Terry Wogan
Eurovision: pop or geopolitics, asks Terry Wogan
The Russian nation celebrated its first Eurovision song contest victory last night. I celebrated the 30 quid that I won in a Eurovision party sweepstake. But Terry Wogan found little to be cheery about.With the contest's expansion into the newer states of eastern Europe, the long-standing tradition of Cyprus giving Greece 12 points and vice versa has now spread around much of the continent. The Balkan nations - who, remember, have been squabbling and separating for hundreds of years - certainly like to support one anothers' musical offerings. Last night saw the Slavic and Baltic nations join the former Soviet republics in their fulsome support for Dima Bilan and his power ballad, Believe.
Labels: EU, Eurovision Song festival, Politics
