Tuesday, May 08, 2012
This is the second post in a series about the Eurovision Song Contest. If you don't know what that is I strongly suggest you follow my posts. You'll learn a lot.
As an Australian of Greek heritage I feel privileged to be able to back a country wholeheartedly in Eurovision, and I am proud that in my decade of watching the contest Greece has done particularly well all-round.
There have been some downs. What I didn't mention about the first contest I watched was that the song for that year, Mando's Never Let You Go, was particularly soppy. I wasn't a huge fan. I've since found I much prefer their boppier stuff - Europop at its finest.
According to Wikipedia, before my time Greece wasn’t as successful. That would’ve sucked. Because where would we have been without the likes of Kalomira or Sarbel? But even before them there were The Golden Years (2004-2005).
Then there was Helena Paparizou a year later. Reinvigorating Greece in the contest through 2001’s third placing as one half of duo Antique, she went one better to win with My Number One. It was one year too early when Athens held the contest final in 2006 – Year 12 meant there was no chance of flying over in the hopes of attending as my friends and I had considered. Total bummer.
Greece's success is even relative over here in Australia. The SBS Eurovision voting (so we don't feel left out) often places them in a high position. They're just too cool. I haven't heard the 2012 song yet, but as always my expectations are rising as the contest creeps closer.
*If there's something you want me to write about within my Eurovision series, I would love any suggestions. Otherwise please share my stories or provide some feedback if you can :)
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