When we first went to book our time in Copenhagen last summer we were surprised to find the city was so busy. AirBnB listings made reference to how to get to Eurovision Island and other key transportation information. I didn’t think too much about it and booked our place for the second two weeks of May and left the first two weeks open for later. Three more months went by and I found the room inventory was getting even more constricted. It was December and I was in Melbourne when I finally looked up Eurovision.
Eurovision was started when, in 1955, an organization of TV broadcasters in Europe met in Switzerland to figure out a way to bring Europe back together after the two world wars had torn them apart. In the first year (1956), the seven countries sent one person each to compete for the prize. This year, thirty seven countries are entered (not including Australia who got an honorary song slot just for wanting to be part of Europe). ABBA and Celine Dion both got their start on Eurovision.
Tonight we are watching the finals. Twenty six contestants remain. Yep. The semi finals had fifteen contestants each and only ten could move on. So the finals are the ten qualifiers from each semi (20) plus six more. The six are the five pre-qualifiers – more on the rules, history, and politics if you go to the Wiki link below – plus last year’s winner, Denmark.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurovision_Song_Contest_2014
Lauren is monitoring the tweets and the Eurovision app. We’ve seen Greek rappers on trampolines, classy singers from Montenegro and Azerbaijan, kitchey singers from Iceland and France, a quasi burlesque group from Poland, and acts worthy of Charlie W’s attention like our two favorites, Sweden and Holland. (Actually, unlike the reality shows we are used to, these performers don’t get recording contracts – just the top honor and trophy for their nation.) And then there’s Conchita.
It has been a hoot to be here during Eurovision. Visitors from all over Europe and Australia have come to watch and show their patriotism in a good humored and good natured competition.
I took some photos during the week and of the television as we watched the finals.
Spoiler alert…Winner at the very bottom.
Winner is…..
Conchita Wurst
Link to Video and background on Conchita:
http://metro.co.uk/2014/05/11/europe-declares-queen-conchita-the-eurovision-song-contest-winner-4723835/
Davidson Big Trip 
What fun! Either that is quite a bad shadow on Conchita’s face or she has one heck of a beard! 🙂 Perhaps you can write up something on where you have been staying – meaning have you booked a lot through AirBnB (is it really global now?), or regular hotels or?? And also, an update on when and where the trip ends. I don’t think I ever saw the itinerary for the latter part of the trip. xoxo
Yes-she’s bearded! Working on post on trip plans and return…stay tuned…