dto 1956 to today, theEurovision Song Contest went through the changes of European society. A litmus paper with which tell the present and, at the same time, make history. As? Not only with music, but also with the scandals that caused discussion.
Eurovision, Gigliola Cinquetti and Sandra Kim
What were the most scandalous performances? Among the first countries that turned up their noses is Denmark. In 1957 Birthe Wilke and Gustav Winckler close their performance with a kiss of 11 seconds. In 1968 the favorite Cliff Richard sees victory fade. That year Spain triumphed with Massiel, but years later it was ascertained that it was a victory studied at the table. General Francisco Franco allegedly paid some jurors to vote for the Spanish singer.
Politics also makes people talk in 1973. Israel participates for the first time in Eurovision with singer Ilanitwhich is under constant escort following the massacre of Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics.
Cliff Richard at the Eurovision Song Contest 1968. (Getty Images)
In 1974ten years after winning with I’m not old enough (to love you), Gigliola Cinquetti participates in Eurovision with Yes. TO Today is another day the singer said that Italy has decided to postpone the broadcast of the demonstration so as not to coincide with the referendum for the repeal of the divorce law. It was feared that the text could affect the result,
From the Belgian who hides her age to the Israeli transsexual
There are, then, road accidents, such as that of the Finnish Lill Lindfors, presenter of Eurovision 1985. When she gets off the stage, the dress gets caught and she is left with only her underwear on. Fiction or reality? All studied, but not fully appreciated. In 1986 another young singer is the target of fierce controversy. The Belgian Sandra Kim, winner of that edition with J’aime la vielies about age: claims to be 15 instead of 13. A scandal that led to the modification of the regulation: today the minimum age to participate is 16 years.
Eurovision also welcomed transsexual singers: Dana Israel, in 1998. He wins with the song Diva and the success is so resounding that it overwhelms any protest. Israel returns to the center of controversy in 2000when the Ping Pong group, during the performances, waves the Israeli and Syrian flags, as a sign of peace. A gesture not appreciated by Israeli state TV, which officially disowned the group.
Ukrainian singer Verka Serduchka at Eurovision 2007. (Getty Images)
Still, in 2007 new scandal for the presence of a drag queen, the Ukrainian Verka Serduchka, boycotted by national radios and by the protests of some parliamentarians. A media tam tam that helps her: she ranks second. TO Eurovision 2009then, the Azeri authorities asked 43 spectators for information on the vote assigned to Armenia, given the less than idyllic relations between the two countries.
Conchita Wurst gives scandal at Eurovision 2014
In 2012 it was San Marino’s turn. Valentina Monetta presents a song entitled Facebook uh uh oh, but is forced to change it due to the ban on mentioning commercial products. Becomes The social network songbut the result is not great.
In 2013 Finland gives scandal with a kiss. Krista Siegfrids kisses one of the dancers with her on stage, protesting the ban on same-sex marriages. Ban that Finland lifts the following year.
In 2014 Austria was represented by Conchita Wurst, born Thomas Neuwirth. Wins with Laughed like Phoenix, but it’s not just the song that’s striking. Conchita shows up with a woman’s long golden dress, dark hair and beard. An unusual outfit that triggers protests, swept away by the success.
Conchita Wurst at Eurovision 2014. (Getty Images)
Eurovision 2021, the accusations against Måneskin and RAI
Italy hosted Eurovision 2022 in Turin, following Måneskin’s victory in 2021. For years, however, Italy’s hoped-for victory remained shrouded in a cloud of chatter. According to rumors, RAI would have avoided in every way to grab the victory in order not to have to organize the event the following year.
Actually, Viale Mazzini has always deniedeven if over the years there have been more or less veiled digs launched by some of the singers who participated in Eurovision, such as the Jalisse and Enrico Ruggeri.
Staying on the topic of scandals that have hit Italy, in 2021, immediately after the victory of the Måneskin, the frontman Damiano David is accused of having taken drugs during the voting phase. The suspicions arise from a video of a few seconds in which he is seen with his face near a table. An accusation without foundation that Damiano himself promptly denies in the press conference, making himself available to immediately undergo a drug test.
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