Eurovision glitz not best advertisement
Greece might win the Eurovision song contest again this year. In a competition where the last concern of the voters is the quality of the song – both music and lyrics – the winner is the one who is best at gathering votes. Last year all it took was a pretty woman, good choreography and rhythm (let’s not go into the music and lyrics) in order to win. This year we have experience, we know the tricks better and we have an experienced performer in Anna Vissi singing a real song. So why shouldn’t we win – especially considering that next year, on March 25, the Champions League soccer final will be at our very own Olympic stadium? Is that what we want for this country? Are these the feats that will haul us out of mediocrity? They do help promote Greece, but feta cheese, moussaka, tzatziki and rooms-to-let are no longer enough to highlight the image we want to project. Greece is not like the Olympiakos soccer club, which hires Maradona to get international media coverage. It is, so our rulers say, a serious, upcoming country that leads the world in shipping. It belongs to the eurozone and attracts well-heeled visitors. Those managing the Eurovision entry must be careful in what they say and do. We’ll be happy if Vissi wins, but we won’t die if she doesn’t. We acknowledge ERT’s intention to upgrade the contest. Last year Greece almost managed to book a Greek of international renown for the contest but the plan came to nothing after a series of leaks. And, by the way, it wasn’t the smartest idea to have last year’s winner sing at Mme Tussaud’s wax museum. Such mistakes should not be repeated.
