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The Eurovision Song Contest unites diverse cultures and music styles, fostering understanding and global connectedness (almost literally, given the inclusion of Australia these days). Amidst the blending of traditional and innovative music, the competition also embraces its quirky side, featuring an abundance of eccentric costumes, peculiar dance routines and unconventional musical styles. From yodelling to heavy metal, and disco-pirate ensembles to singing grannies, Eurovision never fails to entertain and bemuse its devoted audience. These lighthearted, sometimes downright bizarre acts add a layer of charm to the contest, reminding us to embrace the spirit of fun and to not take ourselves too seriously - a unique combination of pathos and bathos which contributes to the charm of Eurovision, illustrating how music can not only provide an unforgettable, captivating experience but also unite and inspire. A spirit particularly underscored perhaps by this year's competition, with Britain hosting as proxy for last year's winners, Ukraine.
To celebrate the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest coming from Liverpool, our bibliophiles and Europhiles have created a short-list of Eurovision inspired travel books that would make the perfect backdrop for any Eurovision house-party!
With five Eurovision wins under its belt, the Netherlands is a veritable powerhouse of pop in Eurovision context. The land where tulips bloom and windmills spin, with a tall people as vibrant as their colourful fields, embracing both cheese and bicycles with equal enthusiasm, Holland has hosted the Eurovision on multiple occasions. This lovely Ladybird book encapsulates all things Dutch in a manner true fans of the competition, including Graham Norton, would definitely appreciate.
Finding books to showcase one-time winners Latvia was a little more challenging. However, this autobiographical novel by the one-time Prime Minister of the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic Vilis Lācis is rich with historical, topographical and cultural references to his home country, and is an inspiring read. As the 2002 Latvian winner Marie N might have put it: "Ay ay ay ay ay ay"!
With a track record that includes no wins but which has inspired a Hollywood film, Iceland has been a popular and prolific contestant since joining the Eurovision in 1986. This book on the volcanic island of Surtsey, formed at the north-most aspect of Iceland in the 1960s, is a visual and informational gem of a book, perfect for fans of the Will Ferrell film Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga. The island was named after the apocalyptic entity Surtr from Norse mythology, familiar to anyone who enjoyed the 2017 Marvel film, Thor: Ragnarök.
Plucky Belgium has only won the Eurovision once, with the 13-year-old Sandra Kim's 'J'aime la vie'. The Belgians have however proven undeterred, submitting entries in a variety of languages, including even an imaginary one for their 2003 entry 'Sanomi' by Urban Trad, prompting then UK Eurovision commentator Terry Wogan to remark: "they've got four languages in Belgium and they're singing in an imaginary one, the very essence of the Euro". 'Sanomi' came in second place that year; perhaps the Belgians found some solace in the beautiful cathedrals and churches described in this charming book.
Where it all began? Switzerland is generally held to be the birthplace of the Eurovision Song Contest. They have won, and hosted, twice, including the first ever contest in 1956. This fantastic vintage book on the country of Switzerland and its people is crammed with colour plates and bound in the original pictorial cloth, one of a series of such books issued by the publisher A. & C. Black in the early 20th century.
Another vintage A. & C.Black publication, this time flying the (tricolour) flag for one of the most successful countries to enter the Eurovision Song Contest, France. Interestingly, despite having won five times, France has not celebrated a Eurovision victory since 1977. Thankfully the French shrug this Gallically off with an apposite "bof" and continue to push the musical & visual boundaries of the competition in intriguing ways - one thinks of Sébastien Tellier's 2008 'Divine' for example, with its astronautical ambitions.
Two wins at the tail-end of the swinging sixties marks the extent of Spain's triumph at the Eurovision Song Contest, but the country remains a keen participant with a strong national fanbase. This vintage book by one of the famous Sitwell family explores the art and history of Spain from a baroque perspective, one of several such books on European countries published by B.T. Batsford at the time.
Despite competing over a 50 year period, Portugal did not notch up their first Eurovision Song Contest win until 2017, with the memorably emotional and stripped down performance by Salvador Sobral. In fairness though they did also withdraw from the competition on numerous occasions. This charming vintage book introduces us to Portugal via a series of itineraries that lead the motorist up the picturesque valleys of the Tagus and the Douro along their tributaries, to the interesting sights in the surroundings of Lisbon and into the remoter parts of the country in the mountains along the Spanish border; then down into the Algarve.
Italy has a complicated relationship with the Eurovision. Strong contenders in the early years, the country underwent a 14-year hiatus after 1997 due to concerns over the contest's musical quality and perceived political voting. However, they came back strong, notably scoring a win with the rock song 'Zitti e buoni' by Måneskin. Striking a slightly more restrained note, Dickens' Pictures from Italy was written during an 1844 tour of Italy to escape the public eye back in Britain, and utilises colourful descriptions and witty anecdotes to provide a captivating glimpse into the landscapes, people and customs of the country, painting a vivid picture of Italy's charm and allure.
After the UK (coming in with a stonking nine!), Ireland has hosted the Eurovision Song Contest the most times, at seven. Titans of the EuroPop scene, the Irish winning entries include the unforgettable 'All Kinds of Everything' by Dana (1970) and 'Hold Me Now' by Johnny Logan (1987), both fine testaments to these musical island folk. This delightful oversized coffee-table book takes the reader on a vintage photographic tour of Dublin and Cork, lying among picturesque hills and valleys, and bisected by delightful rivers, the Liffey and the Lee.
These are just a small selection of vintage books relating to Europe, and music, that you can find on the virtual shelves at Country House Library. If you are looking for something suitably festive but more pan-European, we would recommend this collection of Folk Dances from around Europe - but there are plenty more to view to help you prepare for this year's Eurovision Song Contest!
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