Updated October 2026.
Personally, Eurovision holds a special place in my heart as a cherished tradition that brings people together in celebration, laughter, and pure enjoyment. Since the mid-90s, I’ve been an avid enthusiast, eagerly awaiting each year’s spectacle of unforgettable performances and glamour – the perfect colour splash of spring after a long, dark, and generally exhausting Finnish winter.
The biggest music competition of the world brings together cultures, languages, and traditions in a celebration of unity and diversity. There’s something uniquely comforting about the concept; all the glitz and glam, the cheesy ballads, the diva costumes, and, of course, the iconic wind machines. It’s a joyful escape, a guilty pleasure from the busyness of everyday life, inviting you to dive in and indulge in its absurd humor, embracing the joy of pure entertainment.
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Context of the “Worst Eurovision Country”
Can you name a country where eccentric competitions like the Wife Carrying Competition, Mobile Phone Throwing, and Air Guitar Championship are a regular occurrence?
In this same country, spending the weekend with a concept like “Kalsarikännit” – drinking at home alone, in your underwear – is perfectly normal.
And here’s an untranslatable word from this fascinating country: “vahingonilo,” which roughly translates to finding joy in someone else’s misfortune.
That’s right – we’re talking about Finland!
When it comes to stereotypes, Finland is sometimes seen as a nation that finds comfort in silence and seriousness, takes its time to make friends and can be modest to a fault, sometimes looking to others for validation. Take UMK (Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu, an annual music contest organised by the Finnish public broadcaster Yle) for instance, where 25% of the points are given by international juries.
Situated in the northern reaches of Europe (distinct from Scandinavia, a common misconception), Finland’s geographical location fosters a sense of isolation. This feeling is explained by a history marked by periods of foreign rule and a relatively small population size.
Today Finnish and Swedish are the two official languages. Finnish is the first language of the large majority, while around 5% of the population speak Swedish as their first language. Finnish is often described as one of the world’s most challenging languages to learn, and this complexity adds depth to Finland’s culture.
In Finland, humor often takes a dry, sarcastic tone, with a tendency to mock the pronunciation of English, known humorously as “rally English.” The focus isn’t necessarily on perfecting English in pronunciation, but rather on ensuring the message gets across (even if it means hilariously mangling the language along the way).
In contrast, Sweden, although facing similar geographical challenges, has built up a stronger cultural identity and confidence over time. Sweden’s status as a kingdom, contrasting with Finland’s republic, has played a role in shaping its culture with a sense of continuity and stability. Additionally, Sweden’s policy of neutrality, having not participated in any war for two centuries, has contributed to a perception of security. These factors have allowed Sweden to project a more confident image on the international stage, influencing its approach to events like the Eurovision Song Contest.
For many Finns, the Eurovision Song Contest used to be synonymous with disappointment, as growing up, many believed that our country was among the worst performers at the Eurovision Song Contest. And in many years it was. With limited success and a feeling of being among the weakest contenders, disappointment surrounding the competition was not new to us.
From Lordi to Käärijä
However, everything changed in 2006 when the rock band Lordi took the stage and secured Finland’s first Eurovision victory. Despite this landmark win, some still believe that Finland’s victory required the novelty of “monsters” to break the curse of the “Worst Eurovision Country” narrative.
Singing in Finnish at Eurovision, particularly with a song like Käärijä’s Cha Cha Cha, holds significant cultural and symbolic meaning. In the context of the Finnish cultural landscape, choosing to perform in Finnish showcases Finland’s unique identity and heritage. The song’s carefree lyrics further emphasise this sentiment, highlighting themes of freedom and self-expression in a language that holds deep significance for the Finnish people. By presenting Finland through the lens of its native language, Käärijä’s performance becomes a powerful statement of cultural representation and solidarity on the Eurovision stage.
Eurovision’s Voting System: When Public Votes Don’t Matter
The controversy surrounding the Eurovision voting system, particularly the influence of professional juries in 2023, as seen in the Käärijä – Loreen controversy, was precisely the reason why I delayed writing this post.
As a fan, seeing this voting controversy made me question the fairness of the competition – and my loyalty.
Käärijä finished 57 points behind Loreen. He won the public vote by a clear margin but came fourth with the professional juries, and Sweden’s big lead with the juries decided the result.
In protest against what they saw as an injustice, fans started a campaign on Change.org calling for the professional jury to be removed from future competitions.
The citizens’ initiative aims to emphasize the urgent need for a revised Eurovision voting system that ensures the final outcome truly reflects the audience’s genuine opinion. The petition asserts that public votes should be of paramount importance in determining the winner of this beloved event. In addition to transparency and fairness in the competition, the initiative calls for a thorough investigation by expert authorities into the discrepancies in the Eurovision voting system and immediate measures to rectify the situation.
According to Wiwibloggs, no changes were made to the jury system for 2024.
In summary, I personally believe that Finland’s struggle in the Eurovision Song Contest reflects broader cultural dynamics and challenges, highlighting the importance of fairness and transparency in competitions, such as Eurovision.
Humor adds a unique flavour to Eurovision, offering a delightful break from the seriousness of everyday life. If everyone sounds and looks the same, there’s no edge or thrill to the contest. It’s essential to maintain the integrity of the competition by ensuring that all participants, regardless of where they’re from or what language they sing in, have an equal opportunity to showcase their talents. This diversity not only enriches the Eurovision experience for viewers but also promotes appreciation of different cultures worldwide.
Celebrating Eurovision’s Rich Musical Legacy
The music of Eurovision is a rich mix of styles and stories, from the rock anthems of Lordi to the pop beats of Loreen and the proudly Finnish Cha Cha Cha of Käärijä. Each entry adds its own unique spark to the colourful canvas of Eurovision history.
I hope that Eurovision continues to inspire everyone around the world, proving that the show (and music) truly knows no boundaries. I have been struggling whether I should or shouldn’t mention controversies that are creating a shadow today, and decided not. My perspective of the article is to focus on the positive aspects that make Eurovision such a beloved tradition.
What aspects of this article resonated with you the most? What do you think makes Eurovision such a beloved tradition? Share your thoughts below!
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