Malta’s Eurovision Fever: More Than Just a Song Contest
Under the Spotlights: Eurovision’s Malta Takeover
It’s a Saturday night in late May, and Republic Street in Valletta is buzzing. But it’s not the usual weekend crowd. No, tonight, Malta’s capital is teeming with fans from across Europe, all here for one reason: Eurovision. Yes, you read that right. In Malta, Eurovision is no longer just a song contest; it’s a ‘sporting’ event that rivals even our beloved football.
From ‘Euroschlager’ to Local Obsession
To understand how Eurovision became Malta’s biggest ‘sporting’ event outside football, we need to rewind to the ’90s. Back then, Eurovision was a guilty pleasure, a ‘Euroschlager’ night for a few enthusiasts. But fast forward to 2000, when Malta first participated, and the game changed. We started taking it seriously, and so did our fans.
Malta’s first entry, ‘Another Summer Night’ by Debbie Scerri, may not have won, but it sparked something in us. We were no longer just watching; we were competing. And with each passing year, our enthusiasm grew. From ‘Think About Things’ by Glen Vella to ‘Je Me Casse’ by Destiny, our entries became our collective pride.
Eurovision Fever: A National Phenomenon
Today, Eurovision is a national phenomenon. It’s not uncommon to see Malta’s flag waving high in cities across Europe during the contest. Local bars and restaurants transform into fan clubs, screening parties are the norm, and social media is ablaze with discussions and predictions.
Take ‘X Factor’ winner Ira Losco’s 2002 entry, ‘7th Wonder’. It didn’t win, but it left Malta in a collective state of euphoria. Or when Destiny’s ‘Je Me Casse’ placed third in 2021, you’d think we’d just won the World Cup. That’s the power of Eurovision in Malta.
More Than Just a Song Contest
But why has Eurovision captured our hearts so? Partly, it’s the spectacle. The glitz, the glamour, the drama – it’s like a real-life fairytale. But it’s also about identity. Eurovision is our chance to shine on the global stage, to show the world who we are.
It’s also a unifier. In a divided world, Eurovision brings us together. It doesn’t matter if you’re a Labour or Nationalist supporter, a cat person or a dog person – during Eurovision, we’re all Maltese first. And that’s something to celebrate.
So, this May, when the spotlights turn on the stage in Liverpool, remember to look out for the little island cheering the loudest. That’s us. And we wouldn’t have it any other way.
