Almost twelve months ago, I sat on the edge of my Ikea chair in my living room, watching in rising excitement as Sweden hit the lead during the voting for the Eurovision Song Contest. Would they make it through? Could Loreen’s incredibly catchy dance tune bring another win for Sweden? There was a lot riding on the 2012 result for me, as I had made a pact with one of my friends. If a country we wanted to visit won the contest, then we would go to Eurovision 2013!
So why do Australians have such a soft spot for a competition they can’t enter or even vote for? Eurovision is so big in Australia that the powers that be relented a few years ago and let us have our own commentary team. And we love the unique touch that Julia and Sam bring to their SBS broadcasts, as they appreciate the mix of seriousness and irreverence with which Australians view this international event. The simple answer is that so many of us are of European origin that we were raised watching this annual event. Every year, my British father could not resist his annual dose of Euro-pop so my sister and I were relentlessly exposed. Yet there is something in the Australian psyche that appreciates the bizarre, the faintly ridiculous and a good party, regardless of where in the world this may be.
In 2013, just a few days away now, this party will indeed be in Sweden, and I am on my way!