Hass Yusuf Editor hassan.yusuf@hotmail.com EDLINES
EDLINES
While it’s Vision ’s policy to only have obituaries on UK performers and Eurovision winners - such as Patricia
While our result didn’t go as we expected - I still can’t believe Mae Muller received so few points - I thought I Wrote A Song was a top- notch composition. But it seemed we were hit by the curse of the host city - but Mae did her best so let’s wish her well with her future career.
Bredin and Toto Cutugno - we should also mention the passing of Yvonne Littlewood, the first female television producer and director in the BBC’s light entertainment department. But more than that she was the director of Eurovision 1963 - when we hosted the contest in London.
All aboard the Eurovision express to a ferry across the Mersey!
Welcome and apologies Welcome to this bumper edition of Vision . It is of course very late - so apologies - but quite honestly we’ve had a ‘perfect storm’ of problems. There seems to have been a sense of utter exhaustion after this year’s spectacular in Liverpool! A big rest was needed by all. And unfortunately some of us had to face health and personal disasters which further delayed matters. Condolences to all affected members. Alas, real life sometimes takes over - and please remember that no one gets paid for running the club or producing Vision . We all volunteer for the work - but even though we might sometimes struggle or want to give it up, we still love what we do! You’ve all paid to belong to the club, so you will receive the next edition much earlier. But please enjoy this special edition - and my thanks to all those who have contributed. I hope you feel you’re receiving value for money! Besides the usual suspects, we’ve got articles from Eurovision historian, Chris West - along with other new contributors.
So... what of the contest itself? While I might be biased, I don’t think we’ve ever had a more slick production! I even thought the hosts were great. Let’s be honest, you really can’t beat the BBC when they really try. It’s a shame only 37 countries entered this year’s contest - but we still got some great contributions! And congrats to Sweden and Loreen on their historic wins - for her and her country! However, I have to admit, I was firmly in the Finland and Käärijä camp. The result has opened that old can of worms again - the power of the juries. I’ve never kept my opinion of the juries to myself, but as we see from Simon’s analysis of this year’s voting, elsewhere in the magazine, they still serve their purpose. (I smile through gritted teeth...). But what really mattered is the show itself - and how it was perceived. It seemed like the whole country was in Eurovision frenzy! And the BBC with all its Eurovision-themed shows, did its bit. And as the club’s demographics now shows we had loads of families join and our gender balance is the best it’s ever been. Thank you for all those who answered the call for images of how you celebrated the event.
The hosts
● Our club President, Vaughan Staples, and the head of the Liverpool organising committee, Alasdair Rendall, explain more in this edition about the club’s involvement
● If you were lucky enough to go to Liverpool, you would have found a city that really embraced Liverpool more than any other city in my opinion - and I’ve been to many host cities. And for the first time in years, it was a great excuse to bring out my special Union Jack outfit I had made for me (originally in 2007) in London’s famous Carnaby Street. And how great it was to see so many people wearing the flag! I made good use of my spare time, of experiencing the host city - it was so fab being able to meet up with old - and new - friends in Liverpool. I won’t mention any names, (I’m bound to forget loads) but both the Euroclub and the Eurocafe were both great venues to meet up. On a more personal matter, one of my all-time favourite songs is Gerry & The Pacemakers’ Ferry Across The Mersey - and finally I managed to do just that!
with Liverpool City Council. And one other name we need to mention is Simon Bennett, who was always in the background making sure everything was working perfectly, as he wore his President of OGAE International hat. And the fan club gathering at the Euroclub was a huge success. So congrats to everyone involved with that great event.
The EuroVillage was very popular
● Enjoy this edition of Vision - please write in if you want to participate in some of our regular features - but if you only read one article this issue can I suggest Steve Thornton’s honest experience on how Eurovision has helped with his mental health. As the title suggests - at Eurovision we are all together! ● The Organising Committee hope that all 7,000+ members are enjoying belonging to the club. We still seem to be growing and growing - and hopefully you’ll all stick around for many years to come. Please see Simon’s club news at the end of this edition for important membership info.
One of the most pleasant surprises announced this year is that Luxembourg is finally returning to Eurovision! The country always punched above its weight - for such a small country it’s already won the contest five times! To celebrate this great event, we’ve started the ball rolling with the Euro Quiz and Ten Essentials featuring the country - who I hope will give us more songs in French in the future. Hopefully, next time we’ll start giving you a history of the country in Eurovision.
The night of the Grand Final - the arena was a sea of the best of British! The night of the Grand Final - the arena was a sea of the best of British!
VISION ● AUTUMN 2023 7
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AUTUMN 2023 ● VISION
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