Although its many thousands of miles away from Europe, Australia will be allowed to participate in this year’s Eurovision competition.
For the first time in its 60 years, Eurovision will allow Australia to enter the competition – and will a free pass to the final in Vienna, Austria, meaning that it will not have to go through the various heat stages.
Organisers of Eurovision, the theme for which this year is “Building Bridges”, decided to offer a place to Australia after Jessica Mauboy performed as the interval act at one of heats in last year’s competition. It now has until 16th March to decide whom it’s going to send; already reports of Dame Edna Everage have been put forward to represent the Australian entry.
Jon Ola Sand, executive supervisor of the contest on behalf of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), said, “It’s a daring and at the same time incredibly exciting move.
“It’s our way of saying; let’s celebrate this party together!”
Michael Ebeid, managing director of broadcaster SBS which airs the competition in Australia, said, “We are very excited to have secured this historic opportunity for Australia to be represented on the world’s biggest stage at the 60th anniversary of the Eurovision Song Contest and are honoured that the European Broadcasting Union has supported us to achieve this ambition.
“SBS has been broadcasting Eurovision for over 30 years and we have seen how Australians’ love of the song contest has grown during those years.”
If Australia wins the competition the show will remain in Europe.
