Serbia Wins Eurovision Song Contest
Serbia Wins Amid the Scorns and Colonial Arrogance
Serbia’s Marija Serifovic has won the 52nd Eurovision Song Contest held in Helsinki, Finland, with a powerful love song she infused with passion of her mighty voice. This is the first time Serbia was competing in the Eurovision Song Contest independently, after the last year break-up of the federation with Montenegro. Reportedly, Marija’s song became a hit in Finland before the semi-finals in which the record 42 contestants representing their states took part.
Although Marija was considered one of the two most probable winners, with BBC’s reporter acknowledging that “Marija Serifovic from Serbia [...] is not the most glamorous hopeful, but her singing prowess is probably the best in the contest and will reach out beyond the Balkans,” when she actually won, BBC reporters quickly changed their tune, scoffing at the contest as a “political event,” where “Eastern European and Balkan” countries are voting “politically” or “neighborly,” as if Serbia is actually adored by its neighbors such as Croatia, Bosnia and Slovenia, who gave Marija maximum points for her song and performance. If politics really had anything to do with it, those few would have given points to everyone except Serbia.
Marija Serifovic wins the Eurovision Contest with the song “Molitva” (Prayer). Click to hear the multilingual or Serbian version of the song.
The fact Marija doesn’t look, dress or act like a porn star apparently became another major point to knock her down and even her brazenness of daring not to sing in English made a number of our Western European “brothers” sneer.
Mark Savage notes: “Critics who claim the Eurovision has been marred in recent years by political voting will gripe that Serbia was awarded the competition’s maximum score by five of its eight neighbours. But the song also proved popular outside the Balkan states — with Finland and Switzerland also giving it [maximum] 12 points [as well as Austria]. For her part, Serifovic claimed her victory was a triumph of songcraft over showmanship.”
Perhaps the main reason behind the ridicule and the long faces, even calls to pull out of the contest entirely and form a “Western Europe Only” festival is the fact that “the ‘big four’ — Germany, Spain, France and the UK — all sank to the bottom of the table like a lead brick in a swimming pool,” with Ireland ending the very last with only five points. Whatever the reason, one can hardly find sorer losers than the arrogant Brits themselves, with very few able to raise above the hypocrisy and admit that it might be the time for the “big four” to “stop serving them junk and expecting them to say they like it.”
Serbia Celebrates
Meanwhile, Serbia which will host the next year’s Eurovision Song Contest, is in the streets celebrating. Congratulating Marija on her success, Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica said: “Bravo, Marija! Entire Serbia is proud tonight and celebrates thanks to you.” “You have represented us in the best way, thank you for winning. Your success has brought great joy to Serbia,” said President Tadic.
Congratulations, Marija and God bless you — with a voice like that it would really be a “Fixavision” if you didn’t win.
Comments
Bravo, Bravo, Marija!
I was tuned in all night watching it. I watched semi-finals in Serbia, and it was strange how people were rather confident that Marija will win. And she did!
I watched the finals in the UK, but commentator was a bit rude in regards to the whole competition.
Marija won for Serbia, and it does not matter what UK journalists and critics say about her. Their low comments about her appearance are reflection of their own superficial culture and existence.
Congratulations Marija!
We'll see you next year in BELGRADE, Europe. =D
Posted by: Mila | May 13, 2007 03:16 AM
Indeed, Mila, Brits have embarrassed themselves so badly with this, it's actually surprising they can't see it. Obviously, according to them Serbs can't do anything right and even when they win a song contest on what they consider their turf, it just further proves how "nasty" we really are. I don't know if I've ever had a displeasure of seeing a bunch of losers as pathetic and miserly as these ones. Someone made the best point commenting the reaction of the Brits: Perhaps we should send Marija to The Hague, too...
Ah, well... being bested in any way, anyhow, must be super hard for The Colonial Masters - being bested by Serbia is surely entirely unbearable. Which only makes Marija's achievement infinitely more enjoyable ;-))
Posted by: Svetlana | May 13, 2007 03:36 AM
OH, Yes, that gal sure can sing!!! WOW!!!!
I was so proud to see her with the beautiful flag too. JUST WONDERFUL. God bless her and Serbia!!
Congratulations my Serbian Friends!!
Posted by: Singing in the USA | May 13, 2007 11:52 AM
Thank you, Singing! May God bless your heart!
Posted by: Svetlana | May 13, 2007 04:27 PM
I am very happy Serbia won this year (it was abut time) considering we came 2nd after Ukraine 3 years ago and then dispute Montenegro last time kept us out.
I am too disgusted at the reaction of the British...as well as some others. Honestly GROW UP!
Perhaps too some it may raise some eyebrows with Serbia's neighbors all giving top point (except Albania...gee what a shock) but considering Serbia's relationship with these countries...well need I go on?
For their poor and low insult of Marija's looks, SHAME ON YOU! perhaps she is not the most attractive singer but at least she's not a whore! She looks very average to me and considering her vocal skills it should be a inspiration to people to show how plain and simple they may seem but how truly talented they really are.
Bravo Marija you scored one for the team!
BTW I had to add. B&H's singer Maria ŠESTIĆ is Serbian as well as the song writer Aleksandra MILUTINOVIĆ.
:) A fine song as well.
Regards: Dimitrije
Posted by: Dimitrije | May 13, 2007 05:03 PM
I didn't know that about Bosnia and Herzegovina entry - it figures ;-)
We should let the misers stew in their malice, and celebrate Marija's success along with her. I think she's super cute and has a heart bigger than half of England. When they offer a contestant that has bigger voice than breasts, or more soul than few inches of latex used to cover their butts, perhaps we can talk.
Posted by: Svetlana | May 13, 2007 06:15 PM
I have just read, in the UK newspaper (where else?) that "Serbia stole Molitva from Albania". I unintentionally let out a loud laugh to which everybody turned and stared in my direction. Listened to the albanian song which sounds nothing like Molitva but I guess that doesn't matter as long as Serbia's name spat at.
Posted by: Alex | May 13, 2007 08:15 PM
I'm surprised they're not saying Serbs stole it from the Brits who seem to believe they have a birthright to win every contest where they show up, no matter what kind of garbage they serve.
Just watch, the next thing they'll say is that Marija is Muslim or something like that... thankfully, she said she's an Orthodox Christian during the press conference in Helsinki, taking away another possible jab.
Yuck! Brits are really getting way too slimy. If this is part and parcel of what they have to offer, I sure hope they do pull out of the contest entirely and let the rest of Europe enjoy the show without their poisonous sneering and snipping. What a shame!
Posted by: Svetlana | May 13, 2007 09:24 PM
Čestitam gospodžici Mariji i onima, koji su pripomogli velikom uspehu sa pjesmom MOLITVA. Osječalo se da je to nešto više od onih banalnih pjesama i predstava. Pjesma mi je jako slična nekim pjesmama indijske mističke pjesnice Mirabai.
Posted by: andrej šegula | May 14, 2007 03:12 AM
Hvala, dragi Andrej, u ime svih koji ucestvuju i prate ovaj blog!
Nadajmo se da ce Evrovizija najzad raskrstiti sa banalnostima, hrpama sljokica, kilometrima aluminijske folije i infantilnim cirkuskim tackama posto je tzv. "Stara Evropa" glasanjem za Mariju pokazala da vise postuje sadrzinu i kvalitet od prazne forme i isforsiranog vasara.
Cekamo vas u maju 2008 u Beogradu!
Posted by: Svetlana | May 14, 2007 04:08 AM
I have to say after Reading the Sore Loser Commentary and the Conspiracy theories that clash with reality from the BBC. I am thoroughly amused by the idea that the other ex-republics will vote for Serbia as to some sort of buddy system when by all accounts save for Montenegro the other Ex-Republics aren't so Chummy with Serbia, with Croatia and Bosnia(aside from the Large Serb Population) bordering on hate.
Posted by: Spectacles | May 14, 2007 12:22 PM
It's especially ridiculous once one recalls that both Bosnia and Croatia are suing Serbia for no less than a "genocide"... and, if one allows any reality to get in the picture, the truth is that if anyone is the most disliked, most maligned and targeted for total destruction from all sides, it's precisely Serbia.
But Marija's "Molitva" received top votes not just from former Yugoslav republics, but also from Austria, Switzerland, Eurovision host Finland, Sweden, Norway, Hungary and a number of other countries. That tells me that they liked the song and singing so much that, despite border-line hating or outright hating Serbia, they gave its performer top votes in Helsinki. Serbia did not receive top votes from the only two states it actually considers friends: Russia and Greece. So what the f... are they talking about is what I'd want to know!
Posted by: Svetlana | May 14, 2007 04:20 PM
Ruzsa Magdi is Serbian Hungarian who was representing Hungary. She is born in Mali Idjos near Subotica but living in Budapest. Check youtube for her songs, serbian and hungarian and mostly covers of other artists
Posted by: Krizma | May 15, 2007 09:31 AM
Thanks, Krizma, I read somewhere in Serbian press about Ruzsa from Mali Idjos and how they love her both in Serbia and Hungary... I believe Serbia gave its maximum points to her song. Personally, I think her example is very touching and a nice way of sharing between nations and cultures.
Posted by: Svetlana | May 15, 2007 05:01 PM
"The fact Marija doesn’t look, dress or act like a porn star apparently became another major point to knock her down and even her brazenness of daring not to sing in English made a number of our Western European “brothers” sneer."
Well stated Svetlana. Western europeans are such fools. Who else on the entire planet...besides american liberals...will aid and abet their own destruction??
Posted by: joesixpack31 | May 16, 2007 08:43 AM