Europe has always been a continent of pain and sorrow, but as the Iron Curtain collapsed and the War was over, countries opened their doors and subsequently their hearts to each other. In this process, Eurovision played a role as well.
Currently, the daily lives of many Europeans are full of confusion and instability — whether it’s that your classes have been suspended or your office has closed or the fact you cannot visit loved ones.
While we all love to believe that our beloved Eurovision Song Contest will be able to celebrate its 65th anniversary, we have to be aware that safety measurements have to be followed as well.
Alternative ideas have been announced as well in order for Eurovision to continue. But final decisions are to made to in the coming weeks.
A plea for Eurovision to unite Europe again
However, the mindset of some has changed towards Eurovision. On social media, several fans have suggested that Eurovision would be a perfect way to unite a continent that is going through a lot of sorrow and pain. In whatever shape or form.
Well-regarded Dutch children’s author and Eurostory blogger Edward van de Vendel posted a plea to make Eurovision the event to let Europe be united again. Van de Vendel closes his plea with the words:
“The Eurovision Song Contest was once conceived as an instrument to unite Europe. How could an effort like that possibly make it to its 65th birthday to now shrug and turn its back on the shared fate of all Europeans? Hence this appeal: if the authorities decide it’s for the best to cancel the entire festival, then so be it. But if not – please make this the most memorable edition ever. Eurovision: please provide us with the necessary distraction. Eurovision: please encourage us. Eurovision: please unite us.”
Food for thought https://t.co/Y0aGgIfONz
— Cornald Maas (@cornaldm) March 13, 2020
This plea received immediate support from Cornald Maas, Eurovision 2020’s Creative Director and the Netherlands’ commentator. Cornald called the article by Van de Vendel “food for thought”.
Italians unite themselves by singing songs
In Italy, where social restrictions are the most severe on the continent, people also found a way to show solidarity. In the city of Siena, people gathered on their balconies to sing together. Soon this movement spread through Italy.
In Taranto, people gathered on the balconies to sing “Fai rumore” by Diodato, the Italian entry for Eurovision 2020.
In these unprecedented times, music can provide solace.
In Italy, people are trying to raise their spirits by singing songs from their balconies, including Diodato's Eurovision 2020 entry "Fai Rumore". https://t.co/JUp7yh7ZkS
— wiwibloggs (@wiwibloggs) March 13, 2020
Meanwhile in Rome, a whole neighbourhood belted out “Volare”, the song that helped Domenico Modugno to third place in Eurovision 1959.
A whole Roman neighborhood singing a popular Italian song “Volare” from their balconies and waving at each other. An amazing flash mob to lift the spirit in these crazy times ?? #Italy #coronavirus #forzaitalia #roma #flashmob #love pic.twitter.com/xjeZTeO0GO
— Jenna Vehviläinen (@jennavehvi) March 13, 2020
domenico modugo got 3rd in 1958
Nothing can break human spirit! Forza, Italia!!! 🙂 Best wishes from Croatia. 🙂
Thank you!?
Really, this is the most amazing article I have ever read on this website. Eurovision IS the best way to unite Europe. I even imagine different people from different countries would sing their own songs in Eurovision on their balconies, but what would be even more amazing, is that they sing the songs from other countries.
Feeling so sorry about our Italians neighbors!
This “fai rumore” video gave me chills!
Let Diodato win this year!
From Greece with all my love and support…Italia dodici punti! ??
Italians really made me emotional with the singing from the balconies. And yes Eurovision would be what we all need to get over this crisis and to become United!!!
That is why EBU will fight and find a solution to keep Europe together as one!
Is this the moment Italy won ESC 2020?
This is more sentimental then I ever should be but:
Stay strong.
It will eventually be over.
Follow the experts.
Protect the most vulnerable.
We can do this, Europe.
This is a beautiful article. Thank you Renske. Those balcony videos are so heartwarming! Watching a bunch of ordinary people trying to make good with the current icky situation is amazing to watch.
I’m sending my love across the Atlantic to all of you. Be strong, guys <3
Another beautiful thing happened in Spain and Portugal tonight. People had a campaign on social networks to go to their windows and balconies on a schedule time to cheer for their health systems’ workers.
If only for tonight we’re building bridges,
Then let them stand the test of time,
We can build a bridge until it reaches out
Across the borderlines
I bet any of us could sing this one better than the 2015 hosts.
Aw Vanilla. It’s funny, but at least they tried. Austria 2015 is actually my favourite opening, for so many reasons. And I enjoy Mirjam and Alice, and even Arabella. Conchita, Petra, Pilou and Assi could host everything for me.
Also, I knew you would bite when I posted this 😛
Oh, give credit where credit’s due! Austria was pretty innovative when it comes to hosts. They brought robots onto the Eurovision stage 3 years before San Marino.
i think things will be better in May but it’s still risky to have 15,000 people in an indoor arena. Eurovision will unite the continent no matter what.
I think Italy stands a lot of chances to win the whole thing, the song is very moving and it’s powerful based on the current situation there and in Europe. It’s gonna be the jury winner most likely.
Not too different from 30 years ago, right? Italy won with a song about Europe coming together in the wake of the fall of the Berlin Wall, in the midst of the fall of communism, and in anticipation of the European Common Market. 30 years later, Italy’s song reminds us all to make a noise and break the silence in the midst of all this insanity. It gets more and more resonant with each listen, even if Diodato didn’t initially write it that way. I would be very happy if it gives Italy the win (so long as they host… Read more »
I’d like to see Italy win again because it has been 30 years ago by now, but I don’t think Fai Rumore is the song I want Italy to win its’ 3rd Eurovision with. I’d rather see a first time winner, or Switzerland win.
painful, but we will get through this and become stronger.
Simply incredible!
Sending lots of love from Israel <3
We too are quite confused and unsure of the future but it's fine
We, people of the world, have been through tougher times
This Eurovision edition can definitely be the most memorable one ever 🙂
We will get through this together. Listen to our authorities and take precautions. Sending love to the people of Italy, Spain, France, Czech Republic and all other neighbours affected by this horrible virus.
Let’s stand together to protect our elderly and vulnerable in society, and hopefully afterwards we can open up and come together in Rotterdam to celebrate who we are and what we can overcome, through music and good times.
Sending love from Ireland.
?
Now imagine the Eurovision semi-finals and grand final being live recordings of artists performing from their balcony. That would be memorable.
Jokes aside, these are heartwarming actions in a heartbreaking time. Keep it up, Italy!
This could be an interval act
That´s really the spirit of Eurovision. Mille grazie !
Wow.
It brought happy tears to my eyes!
12 pts Italy
Forza Italia!
The balcony scenes are so touching and it’s really incredible just how fitting ‘Fai rumore’ has become. In a way, it is/ oughtta be the clear and obvious winner of Eurovision 2020. I met a young Italian couple on holidays in a café here shortly before the insanity started and we talked about Sanremo and I said how the rappers were my favorites and they told me I really need to check the lyrics of ‘Fai rumore’. I’m glad I finally did.
(of course, not much is clear and obvious anymore)
I liked the song right away when I was watching Sanremo. But later in that night, when I got the lyrics and its translation… when I played it in Youtube and the chorus hit… I was sold! Diodato nailed it perfectly, when writing and when performing.
That’s the spirit, Italia! This is just beautiful, what a wonderful idea. It’s the little things like this that restore my faith in humanity.
As I stay at home myself, waiting for the outbreak to pass, all I can do is to wish everyone who’s in the same situation courage, patience and serenity. 🙂
Forza Italia. Forza Europa.
La Forza Estonia
My winner from the very start. Stay strong Italy!
Mooi artikel Renske c;