Actually, it’s not officially summer yet. I’ve been here for the change in seasons three times now, and it always seems to happen the same way. One day I’m wearing three layers, including a jacket, and the next day I’m in shorts.
With the change of temperature, of course, come the hordes of people from the city looking for fun, water activities, dining out, hiking, relaxation. This also means an entirely different look to the town. All the stores and restaurants are open and there’s a holiday air about the place. In the town, the dress code goes from “regular” clothes to resort wear – not so much for the men, but the female tourists are all in flowing patterned dresses, high wedge sandals, lots of linen, and lots of jewellery. I really like it better the other way.
Coinciding with the change of seasons was the annual television presentation of the Eurovision song contest. I’d heard of Eurovision since I first spent time here in the 70s, but this year I watched the show in its entirety, until 1:30 in the morning. And they say the Oscars are long.
This was Eurovision’s 66th year. The premise is that each participating country selects a song written and performed by a singer or group from its own country as its entry. Some of the most famous winners of Eurovision are “Volare” (Italy 1958) and “Waterloo” by Abba (Sweden 1974).
Spain has won the contest twice. Once was in 1968, when its chosen entry was “La, La, La” by Joan Manuel Serrat. But Serrat asked to sing it in his native Catalan, and the Spanish authorities would not agree. This was during Franco’s reign when the use of Catalan was forbidden to be used in public settings. Defiantly, Serrat refused to sing the Spanish-language version, and was hurriedly replaced by Massiel, who went on to win the contest with her Spanish-language interpretation.
Serrat is a national treasure in Spain and in Catalunya. His signature song “Mediterráneo” was selected as the most important song of the 20th century in Spain. In 1974, during a visit to Mexico, an arrest warrant was issued for Serrat in Spain after he criticised the death penalty and the “established and official violence” of the Dictatorship of General Franco. Serrat lived in exile for the remainder of the dictatorship, returning after the death of Franco in 1975. This year is his final tour and I have a ticket!!!
When I was talking with my neighbor about Eurovision, he mentioned casually that he had been a part of Spain’s entry (as one of the writers) in 2008 in Belgrade. What a story. He and some colleagues working at a Spanish TV station came up with the idea of writing the worst song ever. The intent was never that the song would be entered into Eurovision, but it was performed on the station’s late night show and became an instant hit. The Spanish people “wrote it in” to be the Eurovision entry for Spain that year. It lost, of course (watch the video here and you’ll see why), but that year’s Eurovision program had the highest viewership in Spain of any program ever up to that time, including the World Cup. The song was a farce and a parody, but all of Spain was in on the joke. Everyone in Spain remembers “Baila el Chiki Chiki.” Ridiculous and hilarious. https://youtu.be/wfeCIvOxXBo.
And this year, Spain came in third and everyone was pretty excited. There was some controversy over the song entered, as many in the country felt it did not deserve to be the nation’s entry, but in the end all of Spain was backing Chanel and her “SloMo.” https://youtu.be/4mYBiIO0pfY
The UK’s entry came in second, and Ukraine won the competition, in a sympathy vote. People living in the participating countries vote for their favorite song, but aren’t allowed to vote for the song from their own country. These votes are combined with the votes from a jury of five music industry professionals in each of the participating countries. I voted for Estonia. They came in 13th.
I was planning to post this a few days ago, but it didn’t feel right, and it really still doesn’t, being light-hearted after so many innocent children were killed at their school in Uvalde, Texas. I’ve tried to remain non-political in my posts (mainly), but I believe this issue transcends politics. Something must be done to control the totally inordinate number of killings and suicide by guns in the US. This does not happen in other countries. It’s horrific and shameful, and so, so frightening for parents. Living in Europe, highlights the contrast in the US gun culture versus cultures here. My friends and acquaintances who live here are appalled and incredulous. There has only ever been one school shooting in Spain. I would say that I hope it would change in the US, but at this point, I’ve lost hope for that happening…
A beautiful beach I found on a walk with the expats. It’s very near here, but I had no idea.
Susie's Senior Year Abroad 
So jealous. I’d give a lot to see JMS. Can’t wait to hear about it.
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