Think Australia competing at this year’s Eurovision is a big deal? Think again.
For starters Australia is hardly the only non-European country competing this year. None of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Israel and Armenia are European either and they’ve all been competing for years.
In 1980 even Morocco had a go.
And Australians have always been free to sing for another country anyway. In fact, Ireland’s two-time winner Johnny Logan was born in Oz.
Plus there’s not even a rule that you have to represent your own country (although some countries do self-impose this). Moldova’s Eduard Romanyuta? He’s Ukrainian.
And Greece’s Maria-Elena Kyriakou? She grew up in Cyprus.
It’s OK though, because Polina Gagarina DID grow up in Greece. But she’ll be singing for her birth country, Russia.
And Maimuna was born in St Petersburg so, of course, she’ll be representing Belarus.
Let’s not even mention Armenia’s Genealogy – they’re from all over the world! Including, of course, one from Australia.
Plus even when the artist is local the song might not be. This guy is Sweden’s Thomas G:Son (he helped write Euphoria) and he’s written two songs competing at Eurovision this year…
…One for Spain…
…And one for Georgia.
Which, if you remember, is not actually in Europe either.
So yes, Australia isn’t in Europe. Does that matter? We don’t think so but, if it’s really bothering you, you can pick your own (probably) European artist by region here.
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