Mem;ries, good days, bad days, they’ll be with me always
And EUROVISION is known for memories – good ones and bad ones. So share with our members some of those from your Eurovision days. I can write a book on it because I have been extremely lucky to have been able to attend it every year since 1993, some were such highlights, TALLINN, RIGA, BELGRADE, others quite awful – especially BIRMINGHAM and GUILDO HORN.
This year’s Red Carpet Day, I woke disappointed because of the previous day’s miscatched Maraaya and their head of delegation’s unbelievable promise.
So this Sunday, in the morning, when I went to the Press Center, I met on the street with the lovely, extremely friendly Electro Velvet whose song was also in my TOP3. Just a few seconds later Ann-Sophie also appeared at the entrance but she was in a rush. I also met the UK band in the press center when the RoW’s representatives handed them the Good Luck cards and other stuffs. At this moment it was only us, and they showed again how friendly they are.
At the afternoon, at the Red Carpet, in the Accreditated Fans’ Area, some Slovenian fans catched me as they knew what happened on Saturday, so they invited me to enjoy the event with them, and thanks to their huge flag, Maraaya came to us. The head of the delegation, Masa remembered me and handed a pack of postcards which she kept in her bag exclusivingly for me! Marjetka and Raay talked and posed with me for a photo which was made from a bird view, as Jan, a very tall guy made it.
At night, in Euroclub, I met again with Raay, we also had a little chat about teaching and other common interests (okay, there’s nothing really else but teaching) and he gave me his Maraaya themed lighter.
All 3 of my Eurovision experiences (Düsseldorf, Malmö and Vienna) have all been fantastic. Perhaps the best menories have been being able to meet likeminded people who are just as in to the contest, and partying with them. It’s hard to categorise one memory over another but I truly enjoyed this years contest as we were a part of a group that went to the contest together, loved every second of it, then went and partied into the wee hours of the morning together at the fan cafe. It is something I will never forget. We met some truly amazing people.
i can’t really say I’ve had a bad experience or recollection of a contest. Bring on Stockholm! I’m sure it will bring us many new faces, and hopefully, great new friends
My worst memory of Eurovision is sweating it out to get tickets. This year (2015) me and the other half went to my workplace (for the faster internet speed and multiple computers)! We used three desktops, an ipad and both our phones to try and get tickets to the final. We finally (but with a bit of disappointment) got tickets to the family final (which I am grateful for). I found it frustrating that multiple sales were released (building the urgency) but by the last one we could get tickets to the other events (all that stress). Anyway, the worst thing was when ‘last chance’ finals tickets were released without notice.
My best memory is visiting Austria and having a weekly pass to the Euro Fan Café’. It was such a great feeling to mingle with other Eurovision Fans and dance the night away to eurovision songs. I felt like I belonged and I didn’t want to leave. The interesting people and friendly vibe gave it that je ne sais quoi (Hera Björk was even there) which made us both want to attend every year.
Having not been to ESC in person (yet!), my memories are one degree removed. But I do remember seeing my first Eurovision in 1987 as a student in Jerusalem and really enjoying Datner & Kushnir’s routine. And when I was in Seattle and Dana International won in 1998, I remember thinking sadly that there was no one I could share my happiness with—except for one Israeli friend (also trans!).
But for the last 10 years or so, things are going in the right direction, up, up, up, and I am getting closer, closer, closer…. I have been able to actually watch the show (first on VHS, then DVD, now online; first it was weeks later, now on the same day). Our viewing parties grow every year, with more and more friends crowding our living room, enjoying the music, the choreography, the commentary. This year, we even watched it twice: once at the Swedish Club (with maybe 100 others, on the evening of the show) and again with friends at home days later.
Next year in Stockholm, we hope, where we might reach the pinnacle at last: seeing it in person and making some first-hand memories.
I’ve never been to Eurovision before, and usually I watch the delayed telecast on SBS which means avoiding the Internet for a whole day to make sure I don’t get spoiled. But this year I got up at 5am Melbourne time to watch the whole thing live and so I could VOTE! I watched it on my couch under a blanket and it was amazing.
I too have not yet had the chance to see the show live, buy one of my favorite memories was the day I was introduced to the show. We were vacationing in Mykonos with friends from the UK. It was a very hot day so we stopped in at a bar for a cool pint. It was completely empty except for us, so we were wondering around the place when I saw what I thought was a music video on the TV. But my friends said it was the ESC instead. We started watching, and drinking, and I thought I was going to lose my mind. It was the most fun I’d had in years. The bartender turned it way up and we laughed, drank, danced, and sang al afternoon. And when Greece performed, we cheered (in honor of the hot bartender) and suddenly the shots started arriving. I barely remember the end of the show, but I know it was amazing.
That was thirteen years ago and I’ve never missed a show since. It’s still one of the highlights of my sumer every year.
My favorite Eurovision memory so far happened in Malmo. I was spending the day with some friends who live in Switzerland, although they are originally all from several of the former Yugoslav countries. We decided to go on a boat ride through the canal they had there. On the boat were these guys, me, and a pair of elderly Swedish grandparents with their young grandchild. Well, unbeknownst to us, the boat ride was “themed” and was going to be reliving the glory days of the former Yugoslavia. So there we sat, on a boat playing old Yugoslav Eurovision entries as we cruised around the Malmo harbor. We sang and danced and lived it up, and that old Swedish couple had no idea what was going on!
I have not been to Eurovision before, so just the live TV shows, but I’ve watched the show partially since I was 5 together with my family. Almost everyone in Romania does that, even though they are or aren’t fans.
From what I can recall from back then, I didn’t like the show from Belgrade in 2008, because in my opinion, Romania’s song wasn’t good, and I remember that my favourite act from the night, No Angels, got nearly the last place, so I was kind of sad.
The best Eurovision, whatsoever (everyone is awesome), was the one from Copenhagen. Besides Conchita’s win for Austria, I liked most of the songs (~24) and listened to them on a daily basis. The show was also very good and I liked the “Book of Records” sketches.
I have only the fondest of memories of the three contests I have been to. Düsseldorf, Malmö and Vienna.
A very “fond” memory was at Düsseldorf, when, at the conclusion of the first semi final, Ronny decided not to follow my advice on the direction to the stadium, instead insisting we followed throngs of people in the opposite direction.
What followed was an hour long trek in darkness ON a highway around the stadium and back to the train station. Yep.
My best memory was from this year at the ROW meet up at the Eurovision fan village. Being there with my family and meeting some awesome new people all of whom we made great friends with and still talk to today is something I’ll look back on for ages!
I the worst memory was some of the Australian fans who were incredibly were during the final in Vienna this year. It was a shame that a couple of randoms acted the way they did…
“Knowing me, knowing you” is also a song that brings many mixed feelings to me. It was May 2009 when I was packing my bags to Moscow, which was my first Eurovision live, but at the same time, I was unpacking some memories that I had collected during the recent years because I was in a relationship that just ended some months before.
Of course it was a hard time, I knew that situation couldn’t last longer, so I decided to go away. However, nowadays I can say that I had such a great time because my dream of going to an ESC came true. This is not only because I gathered with a lot of people from all over the world, but also because I had some time to enjoy myself, to visit a new country and to make some new friends.
“Believe again” was the 2009 song that gave the hope I needed to move on and showed me that there is always something we can do to find the happiness that everybody looks for.
Knowing me, Knowing You is probably one of my more favourite songs of Abba. (Gimme, Gimme, Gimme is probably my most favourite i guess).
My most memorable and good memory of Eurovision has to be seeing Eurovision in 2013 in person. I feel so lucky to have been able to go. I’d been wanting to see it live for years but always thought it would just be a dream. It was so wonderful and be there, and I totally recommend it to anyone.
I have great memories of meeting wonderful people there, some I still keep in touch with. Of course, a big thank you has to go to Roy for advice and help, which in turn made the trip more memorable.
I guess I don’t really have any bad memories with Eurovision. Anything I got to do there I was just so thankful for so I never thought I missed out on anything, or if I have, I’ve pushed it out of my memory and someone would have to remind me (although getting pushed around in the crowd at the grand final might get in this bucket if I really have to comment).
If I get to go again, I’ll be looking forward to catching up with friends, and making new ones. (and the shows of course!) If I don’t, I’m looking forward to hearing about it from the many people who did go and report back on the web (with pics please).
Most of my memories are from past TV broadcasts, as we have yet to experience the whole Eurovision Live funfair.
When I think of bad memories I would pick two songs and artists from Vienna -Ann Sophie and The MakeMakes, these songs I actually like very much and while not in my 2015 Top 5 I developed a soft spot for both Austria and Germany. ‘Black Smoke’ in particular was the kind of tune you’d expect to do well and come from one of the Nordic countries. So this bad memory was as we saw both these countries receive null points.
Strange but true moment, however when you stop and think just how much a Eurovision artist like Ann Sophie puts into their performance and months and weeks of preparation it is so sad to see the Grand Final
reward to be so minimal
Now the differcult part is to choose just one good memory from so many that stretch back so far since I have been following Eurovision Song Contest since the age of 12 years old, but then at one stage I actually had a emotional moment more recently. That was not as a ESC winner was discovered, or given a 12 points to help them win.
It was on the sofa at 6am back in May- with a strong coffee about 50 seconds into Guy Sebastian’s performance I felt the odd tear of joy that Australia was a part of Eurovision Song Contest and had such a
wonderful performance and song to showcase a country I call home. I won’t forget that moment in a very long time.
I have only had the fortune to attend Eurovision once so far, in 2013. It was my first time traveling alone and I was very nervous. I attended the first semi final and found it such an isolating experience, I felt like I was completely alone in a sea of Swedish families. When it came time to go to the final two days later I was so nervous that I almost considered not going.
I found my seat (this time surrounded by several Finnish families) and waited. After a few minutes, a young man around my age made his way down the row and sat next to me. I was excited to note that he was also on his own. After a moment he turned to me and asked “Are you Swedish?”.
“No, I’m Australian”, I replied.
He froze. “No… way.”
What accent was that? It sounded so familiar. “Where are you from?” I asked.
“I’m from Sydney, but I live in the UK.” he replied
We talked excitedly about the odds of two solo Australian Eurovision fans being seated together in the arena of 15,000 people. The final flew by and we had such a great time talking to each other. After the show was finished we went to get a drink and exchanged details. I quietly thought to myself that it would be amazing if I had just met my future husband at Eurovision. It would be the perfect “how we met” story.
Unfortunately for this story there was no love connection, but today he is one of my best friends and we still talk every day. I went to visit him in London to go to a concert, and he stayed with me when he came to Melbourne. Thanks to Eurovision for introducing me to such a great friend!
I haven’t been to a show, but I watch it live each year. One of my favorite recent memories are when someone handed me the remote control at a party. Naturally I went to Youtube and started the grand final (because that’s what I do). Eventually the entire party focused on the screen, with the voting being one of the most nail-biting parts (will it be Russia or will it be Sweden?). After it was over, I think I may have “converted” a dozen new Eurovision fans. I was really pleased that people found it interesting and great fun.
I am extremely happy that my country, Russia is participating in Eurovision since 1994. And I watch the competition since that time. It is more than 21 years.
First experience it was the viewing along with my older sister. Then with my friends. I had recorded competition on the tape, which revised a million-million-million times. My morning began with the Eurovision. The Contest was for dinner and at bedtime. In 2009, my dream has come true – I got on the contest as a journalist.
One of the best the year of the competition – it was 1997 – best songs. And best of the best in my opinion 2009. Huge stage, best organization of the competition, an impressive number of spectators. And the clear winner 🙂
Hello melomans. I am very happy that I can tell you about my best Eurovision Songs Contest.
First time I have visited the Contest in Moscow six years ago. It was great time. I remember building of Euroclub. It was historical house near the Kremlin. I rememeber huge area for dance and very comfortable zone for every fans and journalists. I remember Russian hospitality and very cool organization of the Contest.
Every partisipants of the Contest was really great!!! Patricia Kaas, Alexander Rybak, Malena Ernma, Arash, Sakis Rouvas, Hadise, Loboda, Urban Symfony. And 2 superstars – Chiara and Andrew Lloyd Webber on stage. Thanks Moscow for good job and memories. And second my best memories was in Oslo.
Moscow indeed had some great singers.
I have so many memories but this year’s are freshest in my mind and they are all about people. I had the chance to met so many great people in Vienna that i now call friends and also got to chat with so many of the artists. My best memory (thanks to row for selecting me) would have to be performing at Euro Fan Cafe, it’s not often you get the change to sing for a whole crowd of Eurovision fans the same night as Hera Bjork and sing the same song!!
I have good memories of going to Eurovision in Athens, 2006, but it was far exceeded by Vienna this year. They hosted a great event and Vienna was lovely to visit.
Having been lucky to finally attend a real live Eurovision (Malmo in 2103) was of itself a wonderful experience that I will never forget. The whole city of Malmo was welcoming and shared the spirit of connecting countries and people together. But this will not diminish the other fond memories such as the very first time my partner and I held our first Eurovision party together at our home. Sharing Eurovision with people you care for, the excitement and nail biting endings, the costumes and of course the music is … well better than Christmas and Birthdays combined.
I will never forget Eurovision ’12:
I had just come back to Panama after two years of living in the U.S., so I decided to throw a big Eurovision party at a hotel. It was a big event to which I invited friends and family. The lounge was all decorated,the food and the drinks were amazing.
The only problem is that the weekend before I had an accident at my Eurovision Annual Kickoff Beach Party (believe it or not I fell while dancing Euphoria and got really hurt on the face, ending at E.R.) The doctor prescribed me with many pills, including Valium.
The afternoon of Eurovision I started drinking at my big hotel party and that, combined with the Valium, knocked me out (terribly) immediately. I did not even get it to the voting part. I woke up 10 hours later, without knowing what had happened at the party and, worst, who had won Eurovision.
Although I felt terrible, it is still considered by my friends as the best Eurovision party ever, and I will never forget it although I don’t remember anything.