FINLAND 100: EUROVISION SPECIAL, Vol. 2

Finland celebrates its 100th year as an independent state and has ever since searched for its place in Europe and the world, between East and West. Sometimes with less success. As we speak in 1939 we were at war again with Soviet Union but - let's make a huge change of subject here - since 1961 Finland has been taking part in the Eurovision song contest (and we also took part, and won twice, the copycat contest behind the Iron curtain, Intervision song contest). It may have taken awhile before we won, but it never stopped us taking part. EBU did, in those crazy 1990's-early 2000's.

Let's look back in coming days as a countdown to the Big Day some of the most memorable and significant entries from Finland.....

Monica Aspelund's 1977 entry Lapponia is one of the most iconic Finnish entries, and one of those taking a large serving from the mythology with added flavor from Lapland. This is exotism we should have used more often, this blogger thinks. It also has one of the highest and longest notes ever in Eurovision (even if she didn't quite deliver it live with perfection)

And guess what? She scored 12 points from Ireland, voting first, and Finland was in the lead! Sadly and incredibly we had to wait for the next "Finland 12 points!" for another 29 years.... Yes. for real. Let that sink for a moment and you will understand the trauma we Finns had with Eurovision before Lordi....

Kuunkuiskaajat in 2010 with their Työlki ellää didn't go north but east and served us some Carelian tradition instead. If Lapponia was a very popular entry back then and made Finns proud things had changed in 33 years and people in general said this one's disgrace and embarassing. But not the voters at home who voted it to Oslo nor the European voters who placed this 6th, but thanks to juries' 15th place this finished overal a bitter 11th, 3 points short of the final.

Hanna Pakarinen is the only Finnish artist (so far) who has performed at homeground and what a moment it was! The Hartwall Arena exploded and Finnish flags waved when she rocked the stage with Leave me alone. Finns were somewhat disappointed with the result, 17th but hey we still beat Sweden!

Paradise Oskar and his Da da dam has also provided one of the most memorable moments in the Finnish Eurovision history. Hands up who got the shivers when the planet Earth started rising behind him? The effect paid off in the semi final where it placed 3rd (!!!) performed nicely in mid sohow as 10th song. The draw put us first in the final, and this clearly isn't a song to open the show (so Björkman was right when forcing EBU change the draw into a production based running order). The final gave us only miserable 21st place. Today Oskar aka Axel Ehnström is a succesful interntional songwriter.

Check out the Vol.1 here

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GOODBYE, FAREWELL...

The time has come. After all these years, 5,7 million visits, 12.000 articles I guess the time has come. As much as I love and care for Eurovision it just doesn't feel the same. The Corona years took their toll and the past two years and certain decisions have helped me to mature the idea that next year I will hear the songs for the first time in semi-final just like any so called local. The bubble has burst. Add the toxicity in social medias and fandom. The arrogant teenagers who saw their first contest somewhere 2017 or even 2021 who think they know it all and only their opinion matters. Did I mention the toxic atmosphere on social medias? I'm too old for that sh*t. It's been a long ride that took me to various Eurovision on spot as a fan and tourist, as a journalist, as a delegation member. I met some great people, made memories of lifetime. In stressful, sad periods of my life this blog has been my safe place, a place to escape and forget everything else for an hour o

ESC 2016 BELARUS: NAKED WITH WOLVES?

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Blogilkar exclusive: PASHA PARFENI INTERVIEW

My flying reporter Robert managed to get hold on Pasha Parfeni from Moldova today who has become during this week pretty big favorite to do well. How did he end up in Eurovision, what his goals are and is his granny better than the ones from Buranovo? And will we get a cover album full of Eurovision later on? Find it out here: Why do you want to participate in Eurovision? That's a very difficult question... I want to be a star! A worldstar, ha ha! But I know it's not easy even in Eurovision, only Celine Dion and ABBA have made it. But I can make myself a bit more known, it's good for promotion. After Eurovision I will finish my album and my promo-CD already has nine songs. We will recod maybe 4-5 more and it will make a good album. With what result will you be happy here? Happy? … Top-10! Then I'll be absolutely happy! So if you don't get to the final you will be totally depressed? Yes, maybe... Yes, it would be hard. For me and my team. What are y

Blogilkar Exclusive: RAMBO AMADEUS INTERVIEW

My flying reporter Robert met Rambo Amadeus in his hotel this morning and what an interesting and entertaining meet it was! Unfortunately the time wasn't enough as this man has lots to tell about many topics. However, here are the main things! Thank you Rambo for this interview and first of all, how an earth Montenegro wanted you to represent them in Eurovision? I don't know! I really don't know. I didn't want to ask any questions why they wanted me. So they came to you, you didn't go to them? Of course. Everybody comes to me..... And everybody knows you and that you are bit, maybe a lot, Eurovision skeptic. Why did they come to you then? Well, I think they want the audience to pay attention to them? I think the new, young and ambitious director of RTCG decided to do some kind of shock therapy. He probably thinks there's nothing to lose. I asked him "Are you sure? Do you know my work?" and he said yes. I think they are learning how to g

Et voilà! Anggun presents Echo (You and I)

So today we finally heard the French entry in Eurovision 2012 in Baku by Anggun. Echo (You and I ) is rather bizarre mix of many things and just when you think you get it the songs takes a turn to another direction. Whistling all along. Very catchy it is. Call it an earworm if you want. Still I wouldn't scream a winning entry but... we will see. In Patricia Kaas like ending me thinks.

REMEMBERING MARILYN MONROE

It's 50 years since Marilyn Monroe passed away on August 5, 1962. Her legend still lives on and there's no doubt she got "it". Probably very much misunderstood and surely underrated she remains one of the biggest stars on this planet ever. How many fans have really seen her movies, I mean all of them? Not only the 2-3 most successful ones where she played pretty much the same dumb blond? Thee's so much more to her if you watch all her work.... And had she lived. She would be 86 now. Like this .

Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

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