Why was the Eurovision song contest held in the first place?

Blog post from Marica Micallef

I very rarely watch the Eurovision Song Contest for various reasons which are valid for me.  Firstly, we all know the politics behind the voting. In addition, I very rarely see it as a showcase of professional musicians and good music. Very rarely do the winners become famous worldwide and very rarely do the contestants keep on walking on the path of fame.  I will not go into the controversy of whether the lead singer of Italy’s punk-rock winning band Maneskin, was snorting cocaine openly in front of the camera. The controversy can easily be put to an end with a urine test. I am against heavy illegal drugs, but I do not judge the users, who very often resort to do so as a means of escapism to numb the pain of a past trauma. So, if he is using drugs, I send him healing energy.

However, this year, I felt guided to watch it and for each second throughout, I had my antenna up more than I usually do in my everyday life, so to be extra-sensitive for details which might escape the scrutiny of some, but not mine.

Firstly, since we are still being reminded and warned that we are amidst a pandemic, how come was this contest still done in the first place?

Secondly, how come restrictions were lifted for the contest but not for us, the people in general? Wasn’t there a crowd in the arena? Was there a 2 metre distance in the crowd or between the contestants and dancers? Was everyone wearing a mask? So, if restrictions were lifted for all those involved in the contest, amidst a pandemic, why aren’t the same restrictions lifted for the world? We were told that the Netherlands is still suffering under Covid-19 restrictions. How does its nation feel, knowing that the restrictions imposed on them, were not imposed on those inside the Rotterdam Ahoy arena, the hosting venue?

Thirdly, why were so many outdoor events cancelled in Malta with the excuse to prevent coronavirus spread but such an international contest still took place? [1] Was coronavirus immune to the arena, which, by the way, was used as an emergency hospital during the height of the pandemic last year? Did the arena go through a massive disinfectant procedure, or what?

Fourthly, why is it fine to spend millions out of our taxes for such a concert where people vote for neighbouring countries while so many people around the world lost their jobs or are struggling financially because of the pandemic, especially artists and musicians struggling to earn an income during these times? In Malta, there are over 12,000 artists who have been out of work for 15 months.[2]

Why was a DJ allowed to play during the Eurovision Song Contest, while in Malta, live bands and DJs cannot get back to their jobs? [3]

While some might claim that thank God there was the Eurovision Song Contest this year, so that they find some comfort, I regarded it more as a distraction, alienation and as a way for the elite to give a sense of “normality” to the nations, a “normality” which they will soon take back, while keeping what is truly coming hidden behind the scenes.

They are playing mind games on our psyche. They give us a short time where they make us think all this is over, only to take it back again later, until we tire mentally and fold and comply.

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[1] https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/university-cinemas-theatre-cancel-events-to-prevent-coronavirus-spread.777269

[2] https://lovinmalta.com/lifestyle/art/even-destiny-will-be-jobless-maltese-artists-and-musicians-will-struggle-to-put-food-on-the-table-if-outdoor-events-cancelled/

[3] https://lovinmalta.com/news/maltas-musicians-react-to-djs-officially-being-banned-from-performing-this-summer/