Aussies, rejoice: You will compete at this year's Eurovision Song Contest

[Sana Muñequita Linda]

 

Australia to compete in the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest

 

Geneva, Switzerland - Yes, you read that right! After a prominent place in the interval act of last year’s Eurovision Song Contest, Australia will compete in the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest, to take place on 19, 21 and 23rd of May in Vienna, Austria. Just for once, and for many good reasons! This year, the Eurovision Song Contest celebrates its 60th anniversary. To give the anniversary celebrations an extra dimension and to walk the talk on this year’s theme Building Bridges, the EBU and host broadcaster ORF invited Australia to compete in the Grand Final of the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest. This brings the total amount of represented countries to 40.The contest’s governing body, the Reference Group, and the EBU’s Television Committee accepted the proposal. â€œIt’s a daring and at the same time incredibly exciting move. It is our way of saying; let’s celebrate this party together!†says Jon Ola Sand, Executive Supervisor of the contest on behalf of the EBU. Michael Ebeid, Managing Director of broadcaster SBS, says: "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." ORF Director General Dr. Alexander Wrabetz says: "The song contest has developed in its history to become the biggest TV entertainment event in the world. With the participation of Australia, together with our partners at the EBU and SBS, we have succeeded to lift it to a new global level and to build another bridge for the 60th anniversary. A bridge that spans the globe, starting from the heart of Europe." Australia will be allowed to vote in both Semi-Finals, as well as the Grand Final. Along a professional jury, possibilities are currently being explored to allow the public to have a 50 percent stake in the Australian vote via televoting.

 

Source: http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=australia_to_participate_in_the_2015_eurovision_song_contest

 

Now you will obey me and send Gotye to compete at the contest!!! xD

[kangajia]

did they get that idea because of all the Austria/Australia confusions????? lmao well good luck to Australia you have no neighbours to vote for you 

[Little Eight]

And before anyone complains that "Australia is not in Europe" you don't have to be part of Europe to be in it, you just have to be part of/be accepted by the EBU. That's why countries such as Israel, Armenia, Georgia, etc can compete. 

 

 

 

Didn't realise it was 60 years *flop Eurovision stan*   Austria better go all out hosting it. 

[kangajia]

And before anyone complains that "Australia is not in Europe" you don't have to be part of Europe to be in it, you just have to be part of/be accepted by the EBU. That's why countries such as Israel, Armenia, Georgia, etc can compete. 

 

 

 

Didn't realise it was 60 years *flop Eurovision stan*   Austria better go all out hosting it. 

can't wait tbh I live in Vienna so I'm so gonna joing that party lmao

[Prime Ham]

And before anyone complains that "Australia is not in Europe" you don't have to be part of Europe to be in it, you just have to be part of/be accepted by the EBU. That's why countries such as Israel, Armenia, Georgia, etc can compete. 

 

 

 

Didn't realise it was 60 years *flop Eurovision stan*   Austria better go all out hosting it. 

Geogria and Armenia are more european than half of London so that's a bad exemplification.

[Sana Muñequita Linda]

And before anyone complains that "Australia is not in Europe" you don't have to be part of Europe to be in it, you just have to be part of/be accepted by the EBU. That's why countries such as Israel, Armenia, Georgia, etc can compete. 

 

 

 

Didn't realise it was 60 years *flop Eurovision stan*   Austria better go all out hosting it. 

 

I have always considered Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia as European countries, but what you say is true, it's countries that belong to the EBU, not necessarily "European", and the "Europeanness" is a common misconception by the average person who is not familiar with the contest's bureaucracy.

[EunMinYeon]

omg I can't wait 

[Rabbit]

This is gonna be interesting. Curious to see who will represent Australia this year.

[akisame]

I am so excited for this year ESC!

[SlayingSeohyun]

They doubtless won't succeed.

[Red Velvet]

Who is Australia going to send? I-G-G-Y?

[LØKI]

Slayyyyyyyyyyyy Australia if Israel and all those other random ass non European Countries can compete then so can we

[QueenElizabeth]

All these time making jokes about "If Eurovision keeps letting in all those non-European countries, we'll one day have even Australia participating"...AND IT ACTUALLY CAME TRUE!!!!

[Sana Muñequita Linda]

All these time making jokes about "If Eurovision keeps letting in all those non-European countries, we'll one day have even Australia participating"...AND IT ACTUALLY CAME TRUE!!!!

 

A funny outcome of affairs, isn't it?

[Yuri]

yey, the UK may finally get some points

 

I'm looking forward to what happens. I'm all for different countries being involved, I like the diversity. But if this is a one time thing, what would happen if Australia won? It'd be so weird to watch this during the day hah

[Sana Muñequita Linda]

yey, the UK may finally get some points

 

I'm looking forward to what happens. I'm all for different countries being involved, I like the diversity. But if this is a one time thing, what would happen if Australia won? It'd be so weird to watch this during the day hah

 

Word of God Wikipedia: Australia will participate at the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time at the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 in Vienna, Austria. Australia's participation in the Eurovision will be a one-off event; however, if Australia wins, it will be able to return for the 2016 contest, which would then be co-organized by SBS in a European host city.