Video – Eurovision: Why does Australia participate in the competition?

No doubt you’ll make a little surprised comment in front of your TV while you’re at it Eurovision, Return between May 7 and 11 in Sweden : “What, Australia is participating?” If this request may come as a surprise given that Australians live a day flight from continental Europe, it is a very serious matter that has been going on since 2015! France Bleu explains to you why they are also in the game.

The competition is not just for European countries

Eurovision, despite the “EURO” prefix, is not just for European countries. All active members of the EBU, the European Broadcasting Union (which has no relation to the 27-member European Union), can participate in the competition. they “Located in the European broadcasting area, as defined by the International Telecommunication Union”, The EBU explains on its website.

This union extends slightly beyond the borders of the European continent. This is why Israel participates (since 1973) or why Morocco can participate in the competition as was the case in 1980. As such, Tunisia, Jordan or Algeria could participate. Lebanon also tried to take the stage in 2005, but in the end decided to give up, because the constitution prohibits the promotion of Israeli products and thus the broadcast of the Israeli song.

Australian tradition

Australia is not a member of the European Union, so its participation is impossible on paper. But the competition is so popular in the country, Australians have been able to watch it live on SBS since 1983 (early in the morning due to the time difference), and the ratings have been a success. Over the years, many Australian singers have also entered the competition, but always representing other countries such as Jenna Gee and Olivia Newton-John, star of Grease He died in 2022for the United Kingdom.

To salute their loyalty and Australian enthusiasm, Eurovision organizers decided to invite Australia as a guest of honor in 2015, to celebrate the contest’s 60th anniversary. That year, singer Guy Sebastian (with his song “Tonight Again”) was exempt from the semi-finals and He finished fifth in the finalVery good result for the first time.

The participation was so successful that Australia was invited again the following year, but this time, there were no perks: the actors had to face terrifying qualifications. In 2016, Australia won the silver medal, which remains their best performance to date. Since then, Australia has not missed a single edition. So what was an exceptional invitation has become a kind of tradition.

Guy Sebastian – Tonight Again (Australia) – Eurovision 2015 Grand Final live

What if Australia wins?

Eurovision rules require the winning countries to hold the competition the following year. Will we have to travel around the world if Australia wins? no, The regulation provides an exception. An EBU member state must organize the competition instead of Australia, but jointly with the Australian broadcaster SBS.

New Zealand is envious

Australian participation arouses the envy of fans in New Zealand, which also broadcasts the competition. Many New Zealanders voted in the contest last year when voting was first opened to non-participating countries.

In a parody video posted in 2023, Two Hearts asks organizers to enter them into the contest. The pair humorously confide that they regret not being invited and are living it up “Like failure”All to a pop beat, typical of Eurovision. “We know why. We’re not European. But Australia isn’t.” He sings for artists to express their incomprehension. “They live quite far away and we’re a little farther away.” “I think it’s the most amazing competition in the world, up there with the Nobel Peace Prize and the Nobel Prizes in Science.”Laura Daniel, the duo’s singer, said in an interview with New Zealand TV in 2023. Despite the risk of disappointing Two Hearts, the island nation’s participation is not in the cards for the EBU at the moment. But the 70th anniversary of the competition – which is approaching – could be a good time to make New Zealanders the guests of honour, right?

Two Hearts – Eurovision (Open)

Australia record

• 🥈 2016 -Dami Im, “The Sound of Silence” (II)

Dami Im – The Sound of Silence 🇦🇺 Australia – Grand Final – Eurovision 2016

• 2017 – Isaiah – “It Doesn’t Come Easy” (ix)

Isaiah – Don’t Come Easy (Australia) Live Eurovision Song Contest 2017 Grand Final

• 2018 – Jessica Mauboy – “We Got Love” (XX)

Jessica Mauboy – We’ve Got Love – Australia – Live – Grand Final – Eurovision 2018

• 2019 – Kate Miller-Heidke – “Zero Gravity” (IX)

Kate Miller-Heidke – Zero Gravity – Australia 🇦🇺 – Grand Final – Eurovision 2019

• 2021 – Montaigne – “Technicolor” (the song is not eligible for the final)

Montaigne – Technicolor – Live – Australia 🇦🇺 – First Semi-Final – Eurovision 2021

• 2022 – Sheldon Riley – “Not the Same” (XV)

Sheldon Riley – Not the Same – Live – Australia 🇦🇺 – Grand Final – Eurovision 2022

• 2023 – Travel – “The Promise” (ix)

Voyager – The Promise (Live) | Australia 🇦🇺 | Grand Final | Eurovision 2023