Like the rest of the nation, we're pretty excited about yesterday's announcement that Australia had been granted a once-off admission to the annual Eurovision Song Contest — especially now that TISM's Damian Cowell has indicated he'd be on-board with performing — but it seems the rest of the world isn't as enthusiastic about the development as we are Down Under.
A quick glance over ever-histrionic barometer of opinion Twitter shows that, around the world, people are scratching their heads at the inclusion of a country still wrestling between its geography and surprisingly resilient post-colonial cultural ties. As it turns out, Eurovision fans seem to be more concerned with the former than they are the latter. Some people even broke out the rule books.
FFS it's called EUROvision http://t.co/7jTnRZ3vQJ
— Danyal (@DanyalWho) February 10, 2015
We don't need no Australia. It's EUROvision ffs XD
— Timselvision (@TimWalksAlong) February 10, 2015
If Australia can enter Eurovision, let's invite Cambodia. Oh, Kiribati want an invite? Sure thing. Sri Lanka? Go on then!
— Callum Rowe (@CallumRowe_) February 10, 2015
@EBU_Eurovision @glenbartlett @Eurovision Section 1.1.1 in 2015 Official Rules very clear: Active members only, max 26 in the final.
— Eric Graf (@narkspud) February 10, 2015
@EBU_Eurovision @glenbartlett @Eurovision Active EBU membership IS limited by geographic borders - EBA. Australia is not an active member.
— Eric Graf (@narkspud) February 10, 2015
I really hope Australia aren't competing, I don't have anything against them but it's EUROvision not WORLDvision
— МатT (@HanssonMatthew) February 10, 2015
I don't want Australia in Eurovision.
— Callum Rowe (@CallumRowe_) February 10, 2015
If Australia is allowed to compete in Eurovision - then so should countries from other continents. Completely laughable.
— Glen (@glenbartlett) February 10, 2015
so Australia are supposed to be competing in the Eurovision song contest this year what the hell they aren't even European
— Michael Clifford (@mashturbatemgc) February 10, 2015
I'd love every continent to have their own (euro)vision, but that's the point. Their own. :/ Eurovision is ours!
— Ninni (@NinniLumi) February 11, 2015
So #Australia is in this years #eurovision. Didnt they just win the #asiacup?? Make up your mind Australia.
— Upasana Bhatia (@UppyB) February 12, 2015
The more I think about the fact that Australia are going to be in the Eurovision Song Contest the more I get annoyed. #pedantic
— Laurenne Lethbridge (@Iamlaurenne) February 12, 2015
Why on earth would you put Australia in Eurovision. #mixedfeelings
— ÖZGÜN (@nugzo22) February 12, 2015
Of course, for all the complaining, the European Broadcasting Union, which operates Eurovision, was diplomatic in silencing the critics, explaining very patiently our country's support for the contest over the decades, as well as SBS' status as an Associate Member of the EBU, to outraged Europeans.
@efronito_ @NinniLumi Australia has broadcast @Eurovision for over 30 years and @SBS is an Associate Member of organisers the EBU
— EBU EUROVISION (@EBU_Eurovision) February 11, 2015
@glenbartlett @Eurovision is about celebrating diversity and bringing nations together. Inviting Australia continues 60 year tradition.
— EBU EUROVISION (@EBU_Eurovision) February 10, 2015
@isthatadri_ @glenbartlett @Eurovision Many of our Active Members are not in Europe eg Jordan, Morocco, Egypt....
— EBU EUROVISION (@EBU_Eurovision) February 10, 2015
@misterkirkygb @SBS @Eurovision No - it's a special invitation to a nation that loves and has followed ESC for over 30 years
— EBU EUROVISION (@EBU_Eurovision) February 11, 2015
Come on, haters. Learn to share. Worst case, you only have to put up with us for two years, and that's only assuming that we win your precious little contest to begin with. Calm yourselves (and bug TISM some more).
