Eurovision: friendly advice from Sweden
I'm amazed at all the bitching that goes on in Maltese websites and newspapers after Malta's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest fails to reach the expected target. Has anybody not realised yet that Eurovision holds no guarantees for anybody? (Our artist Charlotte Perrelli is a good example!). Perhaps, if your population was scattered around Europe you would have benefited from diaspora voting, just like Armenia, Turkey and Greece. Alas, you do not have this advantage, so you have to strive exclusively on the hope that your song stands out. However, there are another 42 songs in the contest.
As a person who is heavily involved in the music industry, I feel that Malta presented a great song, which was well written and performed by a beautiful and talented singer. It was modern, and perfectly staged. You should be proud of your product, and proud of the fact that it got good reviews by the international press.
Here in Sweden, your song was listed as one of the potential threats to our song (Hero). As a Eurovision fan, and a lover of the Maltese islands, I would have been happy if Malta ranked higher because - living part time in Malta - I know how much you would like to win this contest.
However, all the senseless finger pointing and ridiculous ideas that suddenly seem to come to light after a result, is not of any benefit to the country. It's the easiest job in the world to be an armchair critic but if you have to do it, perhaps it would be best to do it in a constructive way. Maybe I am mistaken, but it does come across as destructive at times. In this part of the world, we are not used to this.
I am very happy Malta dared to send an original song, rather than stick to the same formula like we tend to do over here sometimes. I feel Vodka was one of your best entries (better than last year's song), and definitely deserved to make the finals.
Your small island has big talent, and this has got nothing to do with the final result. Remember, a Eurovision result usually depends on a number of things. It's really not just about the quality and performance of the song!
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E Grima
Jun 4th 2008, 13:03
Mr Erikson spare us the patronising codswollop. We know we can produce the best. We know we have the talent to compete with the best, even ABBA, if I may be allowed to compare. But the issue here is whether it is worthwhile for Malta to continue squandering its valuable resources by continuing taking part in a contest that is becoming more and more rigged against it, immaterial of the beautiful, professional offering by the artist performing the song. There in Sweden you can count on other Scandinavian neighbours to help your choice. It's okay for you, but who is going to help our offering along (good as good it always is)?
Saviour Sam Agius
Jun 3rd 2008, 19:59
I think we should stick to submitting songs in Maltese and may be even with a distinctive Maltese feel to the song if it's possible. After all, we know it's not the English language that makes a song win. We should portray something that's Maltese and not try to imitate other countries' styles for the sake of winning. I think that's what many of the people who follow this festival want to see, and I'm including myself here.
Whether we win or not shouldn't be the criteria on which we decide whether to keep on participating or not. We shouldn't act this childish,
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