Wiwibloggs continues our series looking at the current competing countries in the Eurovision Song Contest and why we love them. Are you hungry for some unconventional acts, and epic — or sometimes not so epic — stage concepts? Then don’t hesitate! Let’s continue our continental journey in the stunning city of Budapest, as we take a look at Hungary.
Hungary is among the big bunch of countries that debuted in 1994, and although they have never won, they’re doing particularly well at Eurovision and have missed out the final on only two occasions (in 2008 and 2009). There are a lot of reasons to love Magyarország at the Eurovision Song Contest. And here are 10 of them.
1. Their debut warmed European hearts
In 1994, Friderika Bayer made history as the first ever Hungarian contestant at Eurovision. Her touching acoustic ballad “Kinek Mondjam El Vétkeimet” melted the jury’s hearts in Dublin and scored 122 points, placing fourth. For some reason, this is still Hungary’s best-ever result in the contest.
2. They can make any genre work at Eurovision
Hungary has made several unconventional choices throughout their history at the contest, and most of the time this had paid off. It includes genres as diverse as acoustic (ByeAlex), drum n’ bass (András Kállay-Saunders), gypsy music and rap (both with Joci Pápai), and last but not least, metalcore/screamo (AWS). Celebrating diversity? A big yes!
3. The Hungarian language
Hungarian may be one of the hardest languages in the world, but it’s also a very melodic one, and the Central European nation has treated us with songs in their mother tongue several times. And they do well — since the introduction of the semi-finals, all Hungarian entries have qualified for the grand final. Here’s ByeAlex‘s 2013 entry “Kedvesem”, which became an unexpected dark horse, finishing tenth.
4. They’re no strangers to the Barbara Dex Award
2009 was a year to remember, not just because of the iconic winner Alexander Rybak, but also because of Zoli Ádok‘s infamous “dick pants”. They didn’t help him reach the final, but they were the key in winning the award.
5. They know how to open a show
At the 2005 contest in Kyiv, Hungary returned to the contest after a six-year absence. Since they were drawn to open the grand final, the group NOX lit up the stage with their performance of ethno-bop “Forogj Világ”, and it resulted in a respectable 12th place.
6. That stellar vocal performance from 2007
In 2007, Hungary internally selected Megasztár winner Magdi Rúzsa to represent them in Helsinki, and she gave an outstanding performance of her blues ballad “Unsubstantial Blues” on the big night, resulting in a well-deserved top 10 finish. The performance combined her natural sensuality with the feeling of a woman who has lived, and survived, matters of the heart and more.
7. Those funny backing vocalists
The most remarkable thing in the performance of Freddie‘s “Pioneer” in 2016 was — apart from Freddie himself or the Shaolin drummer — the trio of backing vocalists (who also are members of a cappella group Fool Moon). You have only to watch the performance, and you’ll understand why.
8. Trolling the grand final opening this year
AWS may have not won the contest, but they certainly were one of the most lovable contestants this year. You don’t believe me? Then check out their sequence in this year’s grand final opening, which ended up on the meme site 9GAG:
That’s how Dragonball meets Eurovision, y’all!
9. An unpredictable national final that comes with a qualification streak
It all began in 2012 when broadcaster MTVA decided to make an open call for entries and organized a national final show named A Dal, a show that held its seventh edition this year. It may not be the most popular selection show in the Eurovision fandom, but one thing is for sure: to date the winner of A Dal has always made it to the Eurovision grand final. Along with Kati Wolf’s 2011 qualification, this takes Hungary’s qualification streak to eight consecutive years.
10. That epic crowdsurfing moment
AWS’ performance, with all the pyrotechnics and special effects, made us feel like we were at a proper metal gig. But it would not have been complete without guitarist Dániel Kökényes crowdsurfing during the breakdown of their entry “Viszlát Nyár”.
Bonus! The best Eurovision mash-up of the decade
Have you ever wondered what Netta’s “Toy” would sound like rearranged with distorted guitars and aggressive metal drumming? Well AWS themselves clearly did, and the result is mindblowing!
Why do you love Hungary at Eurovision? Let us know in the comments below!
I want AWS to come back again soon
Hungary at Eurovision brings to my mind this amazing song from 2005. It was the year Greece won and I watched this grand final from the first second. And I remember it was the first song and was like “Wow, this is really good”. And the dancing…Great opener. Nevertheless, Hungary has offered us some really good songs and memorable moments. I remember the 2011 performance, the backing vocalists from 2016, the great song and performance from 2014. I also like the diversity. They’ve sent rock songs, pop songs, traditional songs and they manage to bring something interesting every time. Of… Read more »
There is no need to give reasons, it’s obvious in this case 😀 Fantastic songs year after year – just win it already!!!
Budapest or Prague 2020. would be great, beautiful cities!
Hungary, Bulgaria and Moldova have become my favourite Eurovision countries in the last couple of years. Hungary 2018, Moldova 2017, and Bulgaria 2016 – never the *best* songs, but the ones I have enjoyed the most listening to and seeing performed live, so are my personal favorites. Always because the artists look like they are having the most fun and really making the most of it without being so serious.
Hungary is one of my newest favorite country. I started to realise that I actually have been liking thier recent entries for years. Hungary, you are definitely on right track, keep it up!
One of the best, for sure. They will win ESC soon!
One of the best for sure, but they won’t win anytime soon.
While I usually have a hard time picking a “favorite” country, Hungary is certainly up there, and Viszlát Nyár certainly bolstered my love for the country at Eurovision. I’ve also really liked their entries from 1995, 2005 & 2014, with 2012, 2013 and 2016 being honorable mentions.
Greetings from a country that sadly doesn’t encompass musical diversity as much (Sweden)
Yes, it’s one of my fave NFs as well because of that diversity in music…and this year one of the hosts was my winner from 2016 😀 (yes, that’s true)
It also helps to discover many new artists even if they don’t get to semi-finals/final/the finals juries top4 😀 (like for some it was with yesyes and for me with Gergely and Tamas 😀 )
I would have added Kati Wolf as the only Hungarian winner of the OGAE voting! 🙂
Amazing country. I have a feeling there’s a victory in their near future.
This makes Sweden a disgrace.
Sweden plz boycott next contest!
What does Sweden have to do with Hungary?
Hungary are a big favorite of mine from over the years. They often feel authentic to themselves. I’m sure they will win within the next ten years- I’d be up for a trip to Budapest!
Side observation, Zoli Adok’s costume reminds me of Guile from Street Fighter. He should have stuck with the black and white combo (and sung in Hungarian!)
The best option would have been to forget Zoli altogether, and send Kátya Tompos’ Magányos Csónak. That song could have easily qualify in my opinion very sad that she did not compete.
Ah Hungary! Love this country, my favourites are 1995, 1998, 2009, 2013 🙂
I love Hungary!!! My favourites are 2005, 2007, 2012, 2016, 2017 and 2018. The rest I either like or am indifferent about. Excellent country. 🙂
My heart melts when i see these comments for us Hungarians!
Thank you Eurovision fans and of course thanks to Wiwibloggs for this great compilation!
Love from a Hungarian Eurovision fan. 🙂
p.s I hope that one day my biggest dream will come true, which is to visit the contest in Budapest!
No wonders why 😀 Hungary sends good songs and brings the musical diversity here 😀
Greets from Poland 🙂
For me best song from Hungary was from 2005 (they deserved to be in TOP 5 in final) than 1994. I also like song from 2008,2007,2014, 2017. They deserved to be in final in 2008. They don t deserved to be in final 2015,2018. Biggest mistake in nation final 2016, with Gerg? Oláh and song “Gy?z a jó” they would be in TOP 10 in Eurovision final.
Hungary ia just the coolest country
Biggest crimes ever: Hungary robbed in 2007, 2018 and 1994
Soooooooo agree about 2017 (my winner that year, and Hungary being my winner for a second time IN A ROW 😀 ), 2018 should’ve been a little bit higher (I don’t like metal, but this song wasn’t that bad)and 1994 would’ve been a perfect candidate for an Amina-Carola 1991 scenario with Poland 😀 (not because I’m Polish, but because IMO these two songs are very good)
Read at 9.
Okay there are a lot of countries I love at Eurovision, but Hungary is (besides Italy) my absolute favourite! I LOVE them. Keep doing what you’re doing <3
Hey, my German friend 😀 Yes, of course, you love Hungary, because I know my AWS-fangirl <3 <3<3
Agree with every single word <3
Their 2007 entry is simply flawless, such a masterpiece <3
Hungary sends quality over and over again, when will we visit Budapest??
Totally agree with your comment! My favourite NF as well.
People always tend to overlook Hungary as a Eurovision- powerhouse, but they are in the top 10 best scoring countries in the contest (at least I think). They consistently qualify, and send great songs as well. 2005, 2007, 2011, 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018 were all good/ great entries and they almost always deserve their spot in the final (how the HELL did ‘Wars For Nothing’ qualify!!!!) and with everything combined Hungary is one of my fave ESC countries. And a big plus is that they almost always are in the SF with The Netherlands (my country).
Wars for Nothing was amazing!!! It was one of my favorites that year.
I also loved it Dave!!! it’s somewhere around 5th in my top 😀
Forgot to mention 2013 which is one of Hungary’s best entries (if not the best) and it was loved by Dutch televote
2013 was nice, but it can’t compare to songs like 2014 and 2017.
Wars for nothing is one of my favorite song from Hungary. <3
Hungary is definitely one of my favorite countries in Eurovision. Definitely my favorite Central/Eastern European nation.
They are never afraid to bring new genres to the stage, try out new things while also keeping it ethnic. They are the East European version of France or Italy in my opinion. Since their return in 2011, they have usually ended up in my top 10. With the exception of 2015, I didn’t really like but still. 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017 are particular highlights. Still want to have Andras Kallay-Saunders babies.
Would love to see Budapest hosting a Eurovision one day too.
I’m not so sure I would like to see Budapest host. Only a couple of months ago, the musical Billy Elliot had to cancel its planned run there after right-wing extremists protested claiming it “promoted homosexuality” and was dangerous for children. There are a lot of bigots there (along with a lot of regular decent people too, I’m sure…), just look at their current Prime Minister.
Of course this may be all the more reason to have the contest in Budapest. We are unstoppable!
What if you’d just not mix politics with esc? Thanks
Hungarians are generally not homophobic. Hungary is the most liberal country among post-communist countries. But even during communism the country was quite liberal.
Hungary’s current prime minister has been Hungary’s best leader since the 1930s. See the Hungarian economy …It is one of the fastest developing countries in the European Union.
Me too, maybe Andras/Freddie would be one of the hosts? 😀
Hungary take Georgia and Finland’s brand of risk-taking up to 11 and then some. You legitimately can’t predict what they’re going to send any given year, and that’s amazing. Sometimes it fits the Eurovision mold, sometimes it doesn’t, but it’s never boring and always makes sense as a part of the competition. They have lots of great entries (Pioneer, Running, Origo, Unsubstantial Blues), but like with Russia, I still consider their debut their masterpiece. Devoted as I am to Rock n Roll Kids, I cant deny there are days where my mood leans more toward their song.
They got the first three “12 points” too, so for a minute it looked like the were going to be runaway winners!
I agree, a masterpiece.
Hungary is not always my favorite country, many times at the lower half of my ranks (Kedvesem being my most disliked entry of all time). But when they are good, I’m calling Budapest next year (Running and Viszlat Nyar). It’s never grey with Hungary
Wow, I always thought I’m the only one who doesn’t like Kedvesem! Thank you Pablo 😀
Love Hungary! They always bring something different
Me too, it’s one of my favourite ESC-countries songwise because of that 😀 (and even if I dislike the song, there’s always something that makes me not hate it so much- for example, Kedvesem is too sleepy for me, but I appreciate it was sung in Hungarian; metal stuff is not my cup of tea musically, but I like that Viszlat nyar was sung in Hungarian and that it carried an important message)