Sing Your Way into Europe!

  What else could we talk about today, other than the song contest we all love to hate? Indeed, every year we declare we hate it, or in the happiest of cases, that we don't understand the whys and hows of one result instead of another, and that next year we won't be watching it again. But we can't help it, next year comes, and here we are: watching Eurovision again. 
  Why do we like it, deep down? I think it is, first of all, a patriotic thing: most probably everyone would like to see their country win. And apart from that, whatever generates controversy also generates fervent debates, and that can prove itself constructive sometimes. In theory, it should be all about music - after all, it is a "song contest". But, as I recently heard some people say, it's hardly just about music. Apart from everyone's likes and dislikes related to the songs and the shows put on by each performer, the other issues always come up. Is the voting fair, or based on geopolitical affinities?  What about the views on various current affairs related to the country in question? Is it the controversial character who attracts attention and votes? 
  During the past couple of years (with a huge thanks to modern technology and social media), I was able to comment on Eurovision in real time with numerous friends and aquaintances all over Europe. And, no matter what happens, no matter what is being discussed, and what is the personal view of each person, this manifestation does bring us together. That we agree or disagree, it doesn't matter: it makes us interact. About this year's edition, some would say it was an expression of freedom and human rights, some would say it was simply the attraction of the controversial, some would say we should just listen to the song without looking at the lady.... or gentleman.... or whatever. Myself, I belong to the second and third categories. But that is just me.
  Who knows what next year will bring? But I bet that even the most disappointed of this year's viewers will be watching again. I think we want to be surprised, entertained, and participate in heated debates with our friends.