Let the Eurovision Countdown Begin!

I didn’t post about this yesterday because I was too busy processing it. But if you haven’t already heard the news, Australia will compete for the very first time in the Eurovision Song Contest this year. It’s a gesture of goodwill to celebrate the 60th anniversary but one that’s sent me into a tailspin.

I have been a Eurovision tragic for as long as I can remember. I watch every night of coverage, cook European foods over the weekend to celebrate, and blast the hits from the competition at any time of year. On the day of the finale I take a strict media sabbatical – no Internet, no radio, no live TV – to avoid spoilers.

This year I won’t need to. To coincide with our inclusion, SBS will screen the finale live on the Sunday morning. Australia can also vote, although as any Eurovision tragic knows we’re voting for everyone but ourselves. We apparently won’t be eligible to host the next one, although if we pull off the world’s biggest upset the SBS will have a hand in organising it.

I’m also keen to see who we’ll be sending to represent us. Since the event happens in May I assume it’s too late to run a national song contest as other nations do. Jessica Mauboy did us proud last year, but I think we need someone fresh. I’ve seen online campaigns for everyone from TISM to David Campbell to Em Rusciano. I’m open to anything. Should we go theatrical and choose Dami Im, Anthony Callea, or Sia, or perhaps we should buck that trend as The Netherlands did fielding The Common Linnets last year (I told you I was a Eurovision tragic). I’ve heard people suggesting Dan Sultan, Jimmy Barnes, and Gotye, which all have merits. We’ve also got to find someone who’s willing to really embrace everything that Eurovision is.

We might not really be part of Europe, but I think it’s awesome that our nation’s longtime support of the competition is being rewarded. I haven’t been this excited since Aussies penned that song for Greece’s Sakis Rouvas in 2009. Let the countdown begin!

Image source: Wikimedia