Will she still hold it next week?

Eurovision

Sorry for not posting for a long time. I have been exhausted by my work load and Blogger was out of service often last week. Now I am back after a weekend in Budapest. One of the highlights of the weekend was Eurovision Song Contest. It has nothing nothing to do with great music or good taste, but it is amazing institution in all its campness. Here are my favorites neither of which won unfortunately.

Silent history

I noticed a strange but understandable thing while touring the alpine countries. References to Nazi history are few. One example of this is the brochure of Berchtesgaden in Austria. The village advertises Kehlsteinhaus as one of their main attractions. The place is better known as Eagle's Nest, one of Hitler's mountain get-aways. The brochure mentions the place representing a piece of history but it does not refer to the former occupier. Historic wounds still seem to need some healing. On the other hand, in Slovenia I saw Nazi symbolism in media and even Nazi medallions at Ljubjanian antique stores.

Left: A magazine cover from Bled with header 'Germany in year zero'

Right: A poster in Ljubljana with header 'Little dictator'

Europe according to Americans?

Picture from Alphadesigner

Bulgarian born and London based graphic designer Yanko Tsvetkov aka Alphadesigner has made interesting maps. He calls them The Geography of Prejudice. All his maps picture Europe from different points of view.

I like his design a lot - simple and fresh, yet witty. See all his maps here.

Eurovision time!

Picture by NRK/EBU

It is the time of the year when the Eurovision Song Contest isheld. Next week will be the official Eurovision week. After the mid-week semifinals there will be the grand final in Oslo, Norway on Saturday evening (Central European Time).

I have been a huge fan of the Eurovision Song Contest for many years, but now being in Asia I have not been following very closely which songs the national jurys have selected. I know, however, that Finland's entry will be a folk song called 'Työlki ellää' by duo Kuunkuiskaajat (in English 'You can also make living by working' by the Moon Whisperers). I am not sure if I like the song. It is a bit too similar with last year's winning song from Norway.

Google has developed a website for the real enthusiasts. It predicts this year's Eurovision winner based on number of Google searches.

And if you are really into Eurovision Song Contest, it is possible to watch it live next week here.

And those who can't get enough, despair not. Our Sound - the Asian version of Eurovision Song Contest will be held in the latter part of 2010.

Grounded

Helsinki Airport's terminal 2 departures hall last week.

I was supposed to fly to Singapore today. Thanks to the Icelandic ash cloud I am grounded in Helsinki until further notice. So more pictures from Helsinki to come.