Born out of war-torn Europe a Swiss committee looked for ways to bring nations together. So since 1956, every year nations, not necessarily limited by geographic boundaries, but members of the European Broadcasting Union, come together and share an evening with song. Cheesy some might say, yes, maybe, but like a B-movie it is so cheesy that it is fun again. Last year Germany one and therefore has the hosting duty this year catering to an audience between 100 and 600 million viewers.
Songcontest 2011 in Düsseldorf.
Every country may sing in their national language or in English.
International careers like ABBA’s and Céline Dion’s who is also a Swiss citizen, have been launched via the Song Contest.
The 2011 winner
Azerbaijan
Lena who won for Germany last year:
Austria won in 1966 with Austrian icon Udo Jürgens
Céline Dion for Switzerland:
Your hosts:
The opening number:
Winners 2000 until 2010
Building the gigantic stage:
The competing countries:
Albania
Armenia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Belarus
Belgium
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Denmark
Estonia
F.Y.R. Macedonia
Finland
France
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Malta
Moldova
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russia
San Marino
Serbia
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
The Netherlands
Turkey
Ukraine
United Kingdom
The 25 Finalists:
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Lithuania
Moldova
Romania
Russia
Serbia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Ukraine
United Kingdom
I`m not really into this “Song Contest” thing but … in a way I was very disappointed.
Again, we`ve shown our low self-esteem when it comes to our own language.
Why on earth did the presenters speak English? As most countries particiapting in this contest had an interpreter to translate everything into their own language so that the TV audience would understand what was going on: why couldn`t our presenters just speak German?
In addition to the sad fact that the “German” song was sung in English (!!!) this just shows – once more – linguistic submissiveness …
It doesn`t have to be like this. Take the French juryman for example. All jurors gave their “points” in English – but not the French guy. He just used his own language. Why don`t we do it like this?
Too sad! Folks! Be self-confident about your language! Use it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I`m not really into this “Song Contest” thing but … in a way I was very disappointed.
Again, we`ve shown our low self-esteem when it comes to our own language.
Why on earth did the presenters speak English? As most countries particiapting in this contest had an interpreter to translate everything into their own language so that the TV audience would understand what was going on: why couldn`t our presenters just speak German?
In addition to the sad fact that the “German” song was sung in English (!!!) this just shows – once more – linguistic submissiveness …
It doesn`t have to be like this. Take the French juryman for example. All jurors gave their “points” in English – but not the French guy. He just used his own language. Why don`t we do it like this?
Too sad! Folks! Be self-confident about your language! Use it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!