How could I have forgotten?

Today, I reveal something that I have only told those nearest and dearest to me. Even for them, it is hard to fathom and the strains on friendship have been nearly broken.

It's isn't arts related, it isn't theatre related, it isn't even remotely music related, but suddenly today I was reminded of the one event that any person with a cultural bone in their body must participate in.

Put it in your diaries, tattoo it onto your skin and put it into your little outlook reminder ...

It's on May 12.

It's in Helsinki.

It's Eurovision 2007!

I was first introduced to the wonderful world of Eurovision while residing in that beautiful country of Slovenia five years ago. One of the actors in my show was very good friends with the Slovenian entry into Eurovision 2002 - Sestre.

What was most fascinating about the whole event, was how seriously the country got involved in the voting of its entrants. And it it just so happened that Sestre were a three piece drag outfit.

Can you imagine? Three drag queens dressed like airline hostesses representing Slovenia on the world stage at Eurovision...

The little old ladies dressed in their mourning black had their worry beads out racing for the closest church, the men-folk looked on disapprovingly under their stubble. There was protest!

How could these three be representing us. Slovenians!

The country collectively choked on their burek and complained and complained and complained.

Suddenly, it was announced that there would be another television vote. So on RTV Slovenia, they ran the whole competition again. All the defeated contestants and the three drag queens belted their songs out once more and the country voted again. Again. Again.

Sestre (Slovenian for Sisters) won overwhelmingly of course and they went off to Latvia and performed this.

This year, of course, I continue my great support of my Slavic brothers and sisters and will be barracking for Alenka Gotar. You must have a look at her website. I think there is an English version but it's a lot more fun to navigate around the Slovenian where you will see that she recently starred in a professional opera production from SNG Maribor that toured to Tokyo. I am not sure how the Japanese felt to be in the presence of a Eurovision star but they must have been honoured.

This year, as I have already mentioned, Eurovision is in Helsinki, Finland. The slogan this year is 'Finland, a country of contrasts'. I am not exactly sure what those contrasts are, but maybe they are trying to tell us that they aren't as homogeneous as we think. But one of the highlights of the event, if you are thinking of heading to Helsinki is that they are offering Finnish language courses in a sauna!

What is even better, is that the website offers a five step party plan, to help you make the most of the night if you can't make it to Helsinki by May 12. The six steps are; 1. Plan Your Party, 2. Invite Your Guests, 3. Food & Drinks, 4. Create Some Atmosphere - to which you will then reach step 5. An Unforgettable Night!

But the pure magic of Eurovision isn't complete without the dry commentary of Terry Wogan. He alone is worth his weight in gold.

The entries to watch out for this year are definitely: Greece, which is some type of Hellenic version of West Side Story (where the girl moves like Aphrodite); Israel, with their tour de force song entitled Push the Button; Latvia, where they are trying to bring the top hat back into fashion; Switzerland, who are telling us that Vampires are Alive; and the Polish RNB entry of It's Time to Party.... (Warsaw style maybe).

So get your fondue set out, make a night of it, and sit back to enjoy the wonders of Eurovision.

I know I will be.


Images: from Wikipedia, Malta Europe Development & Eurovision