Yesterday evening our TV communications were again showing what they can achieve. It was Eurovision Song Contest time again. For those across the pond this is a European thing where since 1956 (so long ago) various countries in Europe compete with a song every year. I remember the first days where it was just a few countries all singing in their own languages, although even then English seemed to be the main one.

At the beginning we would watch this little contest on our black and white TV at home hoping and knowing that actually great Britain deserved to win, no matter what the song. The Brits had to learn eventually that they were not the only country in Europe and the days of the Empire were now gone. There were countries like France and Germany and even little Switzerland who actually won the first contest with Lys Assia from Ruppeerswil who passed away last year.

And now the years have gone past and Europe has expanded. We have now so many countries competing that  preliminary competitions have been organised to determine who takes part in the grand final. I remember back at the beginnings that one country from Eastern Europe, Jugoslavia (this country no longer exists) would send a singer dressed in a nice suit and sing his heart out with a song more resembling an operatic aria than something modern. Of course he lost, but the country was taking part.

Today it seems the countries of Europe have multiplied and there are names and places we have never heard of. Aserbaidschan was more a place with perhaps its own post stamps, but definitely not a song. The songs were only allowed to sung in the country’s own language for a while, but since this law has changed, most countries are now singing again in English. And what about the Brits? Yes well in yesterday’s competition they were last, no longer the kings of song and it seems that the Brits are blaming it on teir prime minister and Brexit. It was also an exception that Switzerland were taking part in the final. The song was quite good, all Swiss thinking it would have a chance to win, but it only arrived at the fourth place. And Holland was the winner, whether you like the song or not. I am not quite sure how it is voted, but it seems today to be an online thing with telephone and computer from the people. Anyhow here it is.

So enjoy if you can. For me it was an exception that I actually watched the contest yesterday because through the years, since strange countries were taking part with strange songs and strange dressing codes, we gave up. However, we are now golden oldies and a little bit of international song contest makes a change on a Saturday evening. I must also say that the quality of the songs has improved and no longer the strange rapping tones, or incomprehensible chants of a land that no-one has heard of. Europe has grown and who could imagine that as guest country Australia is now also allowed to take part. Perhaps once day we might welcome a song from the States. Yesterday Madonna put in a guest appearance on the show, but it seems she is no longer what she was and a bit off tune.

FOWC with Fandango: Abroad