Thank the Gods of controversy for Eurovision.
Sequins, lycra, feathers and cultural misappropriation (thank you, Poland 2014). These are the things we have come to expect from Eurovision and we are very much looking forward to witnessing them in all their spectacularly camp glory this weekend.
But surprisingly, the last 59 years of Eurovision have also provided the world with some serious controversy.
From political protests and death threats, to non-European performers and pornographic butter-churning, here is our countdown of the eight most controversial moments in Eurovision history:
8. Poland’s borderline pornographic milk maids.
We don’t know about you, but this is definitely how we imagine Polish farm workers churn butter. Sigh.
Donatan and Cleo’s performance of My Slowianie – We Are Slavic, certainly attracted some, ahem, attention. It was the first time in three years Poland had made the Eurovision finals. We can’t imagine why.
7. When Israel’s candidate performed in a bulletproof vest (11 of his country’s Olympians had just been murdered).
At the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, 11 members of the Israeli Olympic team were taken hostage and murdered by Palestinian group Black September.
In 1973, Israel’s participant Ilanit wore a bulletproof vest for his performance. Audience members were advised to remain seated throughout the performance to avoid being shot by security.
6. That time a child won Eurovision.
Thirteen-year-old Sandra Kim from Belgium entered and won Eurovision in 1986 with her song J’Aime La Vie (I Love Life).
We bet you do, Sandra. You don’t have to worry about bills that need paying, whinging kids or, well… anything much yet.
All Eurovision entrants must now be over 16 years of age.
Top Comments
Non-European's have been in Eurovision for ages. Israel is not in Europe and Olivia Newton-John once competed.