by Dionysis Vitsos
May 20, 2009
http://www.politismospolitis.org/?p=5663
«Alexander Rybak: Welcomed like a hero»
Although I fully endorse the anti-eurovision sentiment expressed by my colleagues, I have some questions to raise:
1. If nobody likes it, who were the viewers who gave it a 89% TV rating?
2. If nobody cares for it, I can't understand how everybody seems to be well aware of the contest's proceedings, even the least shown ones.
3. Why shouldn't we mention the fact that a 23-year old boy is able to do everything, from writing lyrics and composing up to singing? The fact that his victory broke every record isn't worth of mention?
4. And if this contest is so insignificant, why everyone (even the King and the Prime Minister) welcomed him as a hero when he returned to his homeland? As a matter of fact, his arrival coincided with the Constitution day in Norway, and people there were not hesitant to elevate Alexander Rybak to a national symbol.
5. And what about the equally shining welcome the singer from Iceland experianced in Reykjavik?
I fully agree that the Eurovision is not so big deal. But if it's called off, which is the international contest that could replace it?
- Soccer? We already know how "dirty" it has become.
- The Olympics? Totally ashamed by commercilization and dopping scandals.
- A basket tournament? Just the same, due to financial interests.
- Politics are not even worth of mention.
But still, all Eurovision haters would consider the above contests better. Why?
- Are they cheaper?
- Do they help people stop being stuck to their TV sets?
- Do they help them to focus on important issues?
- Or maybe they do promote physical exercise? On a couch...?
What kind of musical event could replace the Eurovision then?
- An international Opera festival?
- An instrumental music festival?
- A folklore festival?
How many of these Eurovision haters would join them, or, at least watch them? I trend to believe our average music is of much lower quality than Alexander Rybak's.
The only reason some people despise this contest is hypocricy: all they try to do is to mislead us about their low musical standards. Our insecurity is already known to many and, sometimes, they take advantage of it.