Azerbaijan winning the Eurovision Song Contest 2011. Photograph courtesy of The Telegraph

The Eurovision Song contest may have been a social event created to unite Europe after World Was II through the arts, but still today hosting the contest or even appearing in it can bring political and economic rewards and controversy. One only needs to look at last years contest in Azerbaijan. For the average Western European, many of whom didn’t even know where the country was never mind know anything of the country and its history, political and economic situation.

After Azerbaijan won the Eurovision Song contest in Germany in 2011, they went on a major PR exercise when hosting the event last year in Baku. There were many people who were not happy with the country hosting the competition on the basis of Human Rights issues. Loreen said more with her actions than with words by attending a Human Rights meeting while in Baku.

However it was probably more the brief though direct words from Anke (Eurovision Host 2011) when delivering the German Votes in the Grand Final where she made reference to Azerbaijan’s stance on free speech.
http://youtu.be/S8hIVRTRIH8

(YouTube Video Courtesy of Geysar Gurbanov)

“However – The number of visits from Germany to Azerbaijan has increased recently and it indicates the development of economic, cultural and tourism relations. German companies are interested in establishing business in Azerbaijan” – Honorary Consul of Azerbaijan in Germany Otto Hauser told media agent APA. 

According to Mr Otto Hauser the hosting of Eurovision last year in Baku has played an important role in promoting Azerbaijan in terms of social and economic opportunities to Western Europe –  “In terms of an economy, Germany sees Azerbaijan as an important energy partner. Azerbaijan is in 6th place among oil-exporting countries to Germany. It means that the economic interests of both countries are connected and the relations are developing.”

It is interesting to see that Germany made political reference to Azerbaijan at a cultural/social event like Eurovision yet when it comes to Economics they are steadily investing in the country and it’s resources. This is not however the first nor will it be the last time that Eurovision will be used as a political forum.

2009 saw Georgia try to enter the song “I don’t Wanna Put In” by the band Stephane and 3G  to the contest being staged in Moscow. It was seen by the EBU as a direct reference to the political situation between the 2 countries and Georgia withdrew from the contest as they were refusing to change their song or reference to President Putin.

(YouTube Video Courtesy of EurovisioNews)

If we then go back to the voting of Eurovision in 2003 in the now classic 3 way battle for victory between Russia, Belgium and Turkey – while giving the Cypriot votes, the presenter made reference to the fact that Cyprus was awarding Turkey 8 points by saying “Peace to Europe” – referring to the fact that political divisions remain on Cyprus between the Cypriots and the Turks yet they had voted Turkey third in the contest. 

(ESCBelgium3)

There have been many incidents like these throughout Eurovision’s history. One notable year for Ireland was 1972 when they sent the Irish song “Ceol an Ghra” (The Music of Love) sung by Sandie Jones. This was the one and only time that Ireland has sent a song sung in Irish to the contest. However 1972 was a time when the Northern Irish political situation was gripping the nation and it was somewhat seen in some political circles that Ireland was sending a clear message to the United Kingdom – who were hosting the contest in Edinburgh.

Ireland always had one Irish entry in their national selection – however that year half of the entries in the Irish Eurosong Final were sung in Irish. In the live broadcast you could see many people leaving the auditorium as the Irish song was going to be performed. It was seen as an act of defiance by Ireland at the Northern Ireland situation and the British Governments stance on the province.
http://youtu.be/xoPuM9WKcS8

(YouTube Video Courtesy of EscBelgium3)

Eurovision is a song contest yet there will always be political and economic sub text to the competition. 

Author/Website co-founder and Editor in Chief Garrett Mulhall

Source APA and Eurovision Ireland