Malta (Not) at the Eurovision
Yesterday was a monumental evening on the Maltese Islands, as the Eurovision semi-final played out in Helsinki.
(For those unfamiliar with what Eurovision is or why it is such a big deal in Malta, see my earlier entry).
Eurovision fever has been strong lately. Not only were they playing the Maltese song everywhere (and let us hope that will now STOP, PLEASE!). The topic of conversation seemed to come up constantly. I found myself discussing who would win, or mostly whether Malta would win, with people of all ages. My neighbours, who often play very loud music, started playing the different Eurovision songs exclusively. Ads for the contest were everywhere. There was no way to miss it.
Unless you have dress rehearsal for a play, and the director keeps you there until 11pm, and you barely make it home to see the final results. GRRRRR!!! But nothing will keep me from watching the final on Saturday night.
As I said earlier, this competition is often scoffed or mocked in some countries, but in Malta it is Big. It is Serious. It is almost a matter of National Pride. Despite this, I have not kept my feelings hidden on how I think that the Maltese entry was bad. The singer is Olivia Lewis, who is well known in Malta and therefore people seem to like her despite the fact that her song “Vertigo” was bad. To start with, her voice is horrible! That really should be enough of a comment. You see, she has tried to make it to the Eurovision something like eleven times before, and perhaps there is a reason she did not make it.
Two years ago, Malta sent Chiara. She dazzled everyone with her amazing voice. In fact, there she was on stage, all by herself, with no band, no fancy lights, no wild dancers… and she brought down the house in cheers and applause. She came in second place, and genuinely deserved the top spot. That was talent. You cannot even compare her to Olivia. And yet, when I have mentioned this fact, some people have been offended. They have reacted as if I were insulting Malta, or making fun of a national cultural icon. No, people, I am just being a realist. From the very first Maltasong semi-final back in February, my vote went to the band that I thought could beat all the others in Helsinki, not the one I thought was cute, nor the singer I knew from years past. (In my case, I did not know Olivia at all, so I was a good impartial judge).
Wake up, Maltese! Nobody in Europe has heard of Olivia. Nobody knows, nor cares, how many times she has tried before. This is a tough cut-throat competition where there can only be one winner. She is up against some of the best singers in Europe, many of which are also total unknowns and have to rely on their actual talent and stage presence. AND, everyone is voting for their neighbours. So Malta better have a damn good product if there is going to be any chance of winning.
Last night, the representatives of 28 countries battled it out, and only the top 10 will move on to the final on Saturday, where a total of 24 bands will sing their hearts out to make their countries proud. Last year there were many good songs and there was real suspense. The fact that some crazy hard-rock band whose members dress up like monsters won the contest is still beyond me, but that is beside the point. As things stand this year, and with a real dearth of good songs, I think there are only two remaining groups who have a good song, and a chance to win:
In fact, I am torn about which one I will vote for, and will leave it up to how well their live performances are. But that is my prediction, or at least my preference for the Eurovision final in Helsinki 2007. Enjoy the show!
