Following the cancellation of Eurovision 2020, there is sadly no opportunity to enjoy the contest’s live shows this year. However, many broadcasters are producing digital Eurovision documentaries and mini-concerts to keep fans going over the next few months. This includes Finland’s Yle, who are set to premiere Eurovision Diaries on Monday, April 6.
Yle premieres Eurovision Diaries
The documentary takes a look back at the build up to Eurovision 2019, but puts the spotlight on the fans from across the world. It will be based solely on video material recorded by Eurovision fans, giving people the chance to see the world through the eyes of Eurovision devotees and the love they have for the contest.
It will no doubt show some very emotional moments – tears of joy after someone’s favourite act takes home the trophy, or a heartbreak if the final vote did not go as a fan was hoping it would.
Eurovision Diaries – Trailer
The footage for Eurovision Diaries was collected between January and late autumn in 2019. It includes videos from over one hundred people from all over the world – Mexico, Argentina, the Philippines, Australia…and, of course, Europe.
You will also see some familiar faces in the documentary, including Finland’s Eurovision 2019 star Darude as well as last year’s winner Duncan Laurence. Even Serhat will make an appearance to help cheer you up!
Meanwhile, Finnish Eurovision 2013 act and regular UMK host Krista Siegrids has been busy recording some voice overs for the documentary to help guide us through the programme.
Eurovision Diaries even has its own theme song, written especially for the documentary. Titled “Love Is My Favourite Song”, the track is performed by Sonja Lumme.
Lumme represented Finland at the Eurovision Song Contest back in 1985. She took ninth place at the contest in Gothenburg with her song “Eläköön elämä” (“Long live life”).
“Love Is My Favourite Song” serves old-school schlager vibes and has a focus on spreading love and joy. It could easily have been a Eurovision entry from yesteryear.
Sonja Lumme (feat. Eurovision Fans) – “Love Is My Favourite Song”
The music video for “Love Is My Favourite Song” mixes clips of Sonja recording the track in the studio with some of the fan videos we can expect to see in the documentary. Can you spot yourself there?
Eurovision diaries will be available on Yle Areena this Monday 6 April. It will be available in English, so everyone is welcome to watch.
Yle to rebroadcast Eurovision 2006, 2007 and 2014
Eurovision Diaries isn’t the only thing Yle have in store for Finnish Eurovision fans this season. Earlier this week, the broadcaster announced that they’ll be rebroadcasting Eurovision 2014, 2006 and 2007 between 14-16 May.
In 2006, Finland secured their first (and so far only) Eurovision win, after monster band Lordi rocked the whole of Europe to its core with “Hard Rock Hallelujah”. The 2007 contest was subsequently held in Helsinki.
Eurovision 2014 saw Finland achieve their best result of the 2010s. Softengine took the pop-rock song “Something Better” to the contest in Copenhagen and finished in eleventh place.
Yle will also be showing the EBU’s alternative programme Eurovision: Europe Shine A Light, which will replace the grand final of Eurovision 2020 on 16 May.
Like their neighbours Sweden, Yle is also giving Finnish fans a chance to vote for their favourite Eurovision 2020 songs. The top ten will then be revealed in Viisukevät 2020: Top 10 on Thursday 14 May.
Eurovision 2020 may not be going ahead, but Finnish fans still have a lot to look forward to!
Are you excited for Eurovision Diaries? Did you send your videos over to Yle? Let us know in the comments below!
Read more Finland Eurovision news here
Check out our Eurovision calendar here for more upcoming Eurovision-related shows
I just watched that yesterday and it was amazing :D! First I was about to join to the diaries too, but in the end, I didnt.
I know some of the guys from Eurovoxx and ESC Xtra are a part of this too. I hope it’s not geoblocked. 🙂
I love the Eurovision passion of the North Country.
Together we are coming through this time if we keep Eurovision spirit
And now we all hope for subtitles ?
Yay, my birthday :3
One of most underrated countries with Portugal,Turkey,Yugoslavia especially in period from 60s to 90s.
My favorite song from Finland
1.1987
2.1983
3.2007
4.1977
5.1993
That makes sense. 2006 was the year they won, 2007 the year they were wonderful hosts (overshadowed slightly by the EBU’s voting and semi final system) and 2014 the year they last were semi-successful. Frankly, something like Softengine would be a blessing for Finland these days.
agree, it’s a nice selection of years to re-broadcast.