Who watched the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday? Or let’s put it this way: who dares to publicly admit that the TV was on during the finals?

For those coming from outside Europe, the Eurovision Song Contest is an institution like no other in Europe. All European countries compete with songs that are mostly all about the show. The contest is heavily supported by the gay community. When there are over 40 countries competing, it is really hard to stand out and all kinds of tricks/lightly dressed ladies/six-packs can be seen on the stage. An interesting addition brings the voting process. As you cannot vote for the artist from your own country, one tends to give the vote to the neighbouring country…

There are three types of people concerning the contest: those who are absolute fanatics, those that absolutely hate it and those that follow it but do not confess it. I tend to belong to the first group. I find the Eurovision most entertaining! The songs and the shows are so out-of-this world and so kitsch that you cannot help but laughing at the whole thing…

The winner of this year was Azerbaijan. Okay song, not exacly standing out and the press was amazed that it won. Azerbaijan was not one of the favourites. However, as the German magazine Bild wrote, if the average Azerbaijan worker earns about 55 dollars a month, Europe is more that happy to give the country this win. Go Azerbaijan!

My country, Finland, made it to the finals but that was it. However, the international press chose our Paradis Oskar as their favorite artist this year. Sure, we take it – at least we won something!