Recommendations of the Editorial team
In Vienna’s MuseumsQuartier on Wednesday evening (May 13th), the impression was briefly given that foreign policy could perhaps be addressed with an Emozi ballad.
While other delegations prepared for the second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC), Germany’s ambassador Vito Cecere hosted a reception for Sarah Engels and Co. A double booking: Italy’s ambassador Giovanni Pugliese and the local Italian cultural institute also provided Musica e Parlare as well as regional wines and flying appetizers.
And if there is European understanding, then of course with pop accompaniment.
Between bar tables and a state visit
Between bar tables and humorous diplomatic phrases in the tedesco-italia-britannico language mix, the evening developed into an ESC political soiree. Around 200 guests in cocktail attire were delighted when Sarah Engels presented her competition entry in an acoustic live version – strictly in black, off the shoulder and with her hair tied back, somewhere between a pop singer and a state visit on a European tour. The applause was appropriately state-supporting.
With a slight delay – which the presenter used to make cliché jokes – Italy’s ESC representative Sal Da Vinci took over the stage with the classic ice cream parlor track “Per Semper Sì” and made it finally clear who had the livelier supporters on his side. The Italian delegation danced into the sunset.
The German-Italian axis works particularly reliably as soon as someone picks up a microphone.
Cultural representative ennobles the ESC
In an interview, Wolfram Weimer, the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and Media who was present, quickly ennobled the ESC as a “festival of tolerance and diversity” and declared Sarah Engels his personal favorite. Germany currently needs more zest for life, he said. He seemed visibly relaxed, chatting relaxedly with musicians – as if he was happy to have shaken off the woke constant complainers from literature and film for the moment.
Eurovision between family logistics and embassy reception
Sarah Engels herself seemed calm despite the full ESC week. She casually mentioned her roots in Sicily and confidently switched languages.
She said she can barely get to bed before one in the morning, she said, before her two children reliably take over the wake-up call in the morning. Eurovision between family logistics and embassy reception – probably the most modern form of European realities.
The big finale is on Saturday for her and colleague Sal Da Vinci. Until then, Vienna can dream a little that international relations can be explained more simply than expected: a little pathos, a little schmaltz and warm applause at the right time. However, the Vienna police forces deployed in front of the museum area, which also houses the Israel Fan Café, reminded us that massive boycott demonstrations are expected from the next day.
