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May 9

'Eurovision Song Contest' 🇪🇺 Malmo 11th May




Swedish singer Loreen won the 'Eurovision Song Contest' in 2023. The singer, who also won the contest in 2012, beat 25 other entrants with her song 'Tattoo'.


As you may remember, Ukraine won the 'Eurovision Song Contest' in 2022, beating UK's Sam Ryder 'Space Man' into second place. However, due to the war with Russia, Liverpool hosted the contest in 2023 on behalf of Ukraine.


This CST activities page celebrates some of the best things to come out of Eurovision (in my humble opinion). I hope your group has fun with it. Feedback would be great.




Here is Loreen's winning song, which is why this year's contest is bring held in Malmo, Sweden. What do members think of it? Give marks out of ten.




Continue the session with these questions to stimulate reminiscence and discussion about the 'Eurovision Song Contest' ...


  • Who watches the 'Eurovision Song Contest' every year? Does anyone keep score (nil points)?


  • What is the best or most memorable act you can think of?


  • What is the best (or your favourite) song to come out of Eurovision?


  • Thinking of the wider European community, what is your favourite European city or country?


  • Which European tourist destination (or somewhere off the beaten track) would you recommend a friend to visit?




At this point you could ask why people think Israel and Australia take part in the 'Eurovision Song Contest'?


Factoid. Israel is within the 'European Broadcasting Community' & Australia was allowed a place to commemorate the 60th contest (and decided to stay).



IDIOMS

Next we asked members to complete the following European phrases ...

British BULLDOG Luck of the IRISH Scotch MIST OR EGG English ROSE


Welsh DRAGON OR RAREBIT OR LAMB Dutch TREAT OR COURAGE Pardon my FRENCH

The rain in Spain stays MAINLY ON THE PLAIN ('My Fair Lady')


Tulips from AMSTERDAM (Max Bygraves)


Lost in FRANCE (Bonny Tyler)


Spanish OMELETTE


German SAUSAGE Swiss ARMY KNIFE OR ROLL OR CHEESE Turkish BATHS OR DELIGHT Russian ROULETTE Norwegian WOOD (The Beatles) Spanish FLY E viva ESPANA (Sylvia) Italian STALLION Holland - AISE SAUCE OR AND BARRETT It's all GREEK to me


Double DUTCH When in ROME ... Do as the Romans do Talk for ENGLAND

Can anyone think of any more?


People Associated with Eurovision



Name this couple, who unveiled the Liverpool 'Eurovision' stage on 26th April 2023?




Name these leaders?

What do you think of them?



Who used to announce the British vote?

Name the TV presenter?

For how many years did he host the 'Eurovision Song Contest'?

Name the TV presenter?

What was his first TV role?


Name the TV presenters?

In which music show did the one on the right become famous in 2012?



Possible The Best Ever Eurovision Hits




Name the artist or group & guess at the winning songs? (You could print off large photos for the tables)



Here are the answers ...



Maybe ask your group which one (or more) of the above they would like you to play ...


Here are the song links ...



'Boom Bang A Bang', Lulu Winner, 1969) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ew43u2gS0Y


After her initial success with a cover of "Shout" reaching #7 in 1964, Lulu went on to establish herself as one of the biggest-selling British female singers of the 1960s. She made her film début in 'To Sir, with Love' (1967) starring Sidney Poitier and performed the title song, which went to No. 1 in the US. She was one of four joint winners of the 1968 'Eurovision Song Contest' with 'Boom Bang-a-Bang'. In 1969, she married The Bee Gees' Maurice Gibb, and moved more into family entertainment, building on the success of her self-titled BBC television show. After her divorce, she collaborated with David Bowie on the song 'The Man Who Sold the World', which reached #3 in the UK charts, and sang the title theme to the James Bond feature 'The Man with the Golden Gun' (1974), both in 1974. She had her first #1 UK hit with 'Relight My Fire' with 'Take That' in 1993.



'Congratulations', Cliff Richard (2nd place, 1968) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xJcE9tnY6E


Cliff Richard performed 'Congratulations' live at the 'Eurovision Song Contest' held in the Royal Albert Hall, London in 1968. Cliff Richard took second place with 28 points. 'Congratulations' went on to peak at no. 1 in the UK single charts that year. Cliff Richard has total sales of over 21.5 million singles in the UK and, as of 2012, was the third-top-selling artist in UK Singles Chart history, behind the Beatles and Elvis Presley. His #1 hits include 'Living Doll', 'The Young Ones', 'Summer Holiday' & 'Mistletoe And Wine'.



'All Kinds Of Everything', Dana (Winner, 1970) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvLPw530qoE


Dana Rosemary Scallon, known professionally as Dana, is an Irish singer and songwriter. While still a schoolgirl she won the 1970 Eurovision Song Contest with 'All Kinds of Everything'. It became a worldwide million-seller and launched her music career. Later, Dana entered politics and served as as MEP from 1999 to 2004.



'Making Your Mind Up', Bucks Fizz (Winner, 1981) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO-mxo-14H4


'Bucks Fizz' were an English pop group that achieved success in the 1980s, most notably for winning the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Making Your Mind Up". The group was formed in January 1981 specifically for the contest and comprised four vocalists: Bobby G, Cheryl Baker, Mike Nolan and Jay Aston. Their other #1 hits were 'The Land Of Make Believe' & 'My Camera Never Lies'.



'Save Your Kisses For Me', Brotherhood Of Man (Winner, 1976) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhq_Q1Ut8SQ&t=5s


Brotherhood of Man are a British pop group who achieved success in the 1970s. They won the 1976 Eurovision Song Contest with "Save Your Kisses for Me". Created in 1969 by songwriter and record producer Tony Hiller, Brotherhood of Man was initially an umbrella title for a frequently-changing line-up of session singers. Ther other #1 hits were 'Figaro' & 'Angelo'.



'Puppet On A String', Sandy Shaw - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xnzPnyyWbY


Sandie Shaw was one of the most successful British female singers of the 1960s. She had three UK number one singles with 'Always Something There to Remind Me', 'Long Live Love' & 'Puppet on a String'.



'Love Shine A Light', Katrina And The Waves' (Winner, 1997) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnoikRec67k


'Katrina and the Waves' were a British rock band formed in Cambridge in 1981, widely known for their 1985 hit 'Walking on Sunshine'. They also won the 1997 'Eurovision Song Contest' with the song 'Love Shine a Light'.



'Knock Knock, Who's There?', Mary Hopkin (2nd place, 1970) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lb0dBVWozRo


Mary Hopkin, credited on some recordings as Mary Visconti from her marriage to Tony Visconti, is a Welsh singer best known for her 1968 UK number 1 single "Those Were the Days". She was one of the first artists to be signed to the Beatles' 'Apple' label. Her other bigger, and possibly better, hit was 'Those Were The Days'.



'What's Another Year?', Johnny Logan (Winner, 1980) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJ2jDdOfRwM


Seán Patrick Michael Sherrard, also known professionally as Johnny Logan, is an Australian-born Irish singer, songwriter and musician. He is best known for being the first performer to win the 'Eurovision Song Contest' as a lead singer twice. His other winning song was 'Hold Me Now'.



'One Step Out Of Time', Michael Ball (2nd place, 1992) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUnwo8etJ_o


Michael Ball is an English singer, presenter and actor. In 1985, he made his West End debut as Marius in the original production of 'Les Misérables'. In 1989, he reached number two in the UK Singles Chart with 'Love Changes Everything', from the musical 'Aspects of Love'. He finally had a #1 hit with Sir Captain Tom in 2020 with 'You'll Never Walk Alone'.



'Beg Steal Or Borrow', The New Seekers (5th place, 1972) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcBM6f3Sz6s


'The New Seekers' were a British pop group, formed in London in 1969 by Keith Potger after the break-up of his group, 'The Seekers'. Their two #1 hits were 'I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing' & 'You Won't Find Another Fool Like Me'.



'Rise Like A Phoenix', Conchita Wurst (Winner, 2014) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToqNa0rqUtY


Thomas Neuwirth is an Austrian singer and drag queen who is known for his stage persona Conchita Wurst. Neuwirth came to international attention after winning the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 as Austria's entrant with the song 'Rise Like a Phoenix'. In my mind, this would have made a classic James Bond movie theme song.




And here is 2023's brilliant UK entry ...







And here is, possibly, the best song and group to come out of 'Eurovision' ever ...

Can anyone name the band members?





European Places - TV & Movies




Name the TV comedy? Name the waiter and where was he from?

Name the TV comedy? Name the cafe owner?

Name the TV comedy? Where was it set? Name the characters?

Name the TV comedy? What was the name of the hairdresser?

Name the detective and the actor? Who created him?

Name the TV comedy? Where was it set? Name the characters?

Name the movie? Name the actor?

Name the movie? Name the actor? Name the club?

Name the movie (with a European country in its title)? Name the actor?

Name the movie? Name the lead actress? Where was it set?

Name the movie? Name the actress? Where was it filmed?







Just for fun, 'Father Ted' entered the 'Eurovision Song Contest' (fictiously) with this song - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzYzVMcgWhg


If it had been entered it probably would have won!




Some Other Songs About Europe


Name the group or artist ...






Here are the song links ...




'Lost In France', Bonnie Tyler - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gK-SVR86ThY



'Day Trip To Bangor', Fiddler's Dram' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hs8EVlzd3mI


'Scarborough Fair', Simon & Garfunkel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Jj4s9I-53g



'Barcelona', Freddy Mercury & Montserrat Cabelle - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1fiOJDXA-E


'Streets Of London', Ralph McTell - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiWomXklfv8


'Wonderful Copenhagen', Danny Kaye - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1YMv_qx5Cw



'Rotterdam', The Beautiful South - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06EbMhzwLBw




Can anyone think of any other songs with a place name? Let me know ...


Here's a more complete playlist I made earlier - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2hrwehheGap2TAmiTLq2SC





And before the rest of the answers, we have an intermission ...




Name the two lead dancers?




If anyone is a particular fan, here is a video of ALL the 'Eurovision Song Content Winners' from 1956-2021. You could perhaps play this when flags are being made (or not, some of them are truly awful)?






Practical Activity


Make some 'Eurovision' bunting.


Cut out the heart template, then have members create their own flags for the European country they wish to win or would most like to visit.


Here's a list of competing countries and their flags - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_in_the_Eurovision_Song_Contest





Refreshments


Make 'Bucks Fizz' with freshly squeezed oranges for refreshments x






ANSWERS


King Charles 111 & Queen Camilla

Volodymyr Zelenskyy & Rishi Sunak

Kate Boyle

Terry Wogan / 1961-2007 (46 years)

Graham Norton / 'Father Ted'

Scott Mills & Rylan Clark / 'X Factor'


Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson & Anni-Frid Lyngstad


Their nine #1 UK hits were 'Waterloo', 'Mamma Mia', 'Fernando', 'Dancing Queen', 'Knowing Me Knowing You', 'Name Of The Game', 'Take A Chance On Me', 'The Winner Takes It All' & 'Super Trouper'


Name the TV comedy? Name the waiter and where was he from? - 'Fawlty Towers' / Manuel - Barcelona (Andrew Sachs)

Name the TV comedy? Name the cafe owner? - 'Allo Allo' / René Artoir (Gordon Kaye)

Name the TV comedy? Where was it set? Name the characters? - 'Dad's Army' / Walthamstow


Name the TV comedy? What was the name of the hairdresser? - 'Benidorm' / 'Blow And Go'

Name the detective and the actor? Who created him? - Hercule Poirot (David Suchet) / Agatha Christie

Name the TV comedy? Where was it set? Name the characters? - 'Father Ted' / Craggy Island / Fathers Ted, Jack & Dougal and Mrs Doyle

Name the movie? Name the actor? - 'The Italian Job' / Michael Caine ("You were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!")

Name the movie? Name the actor? Name the club? - 'Cabaret' / Liza Minelli / 'Kit Kat Club' in Berlin

Name the movie (with a European country in its title)? Name the actor? - 'From Russia With Love' / Sean Connery

Name the movie? Name the lead actress? Where was it set? - 'Mamma Mia' / Meryl Streep / Skopelos, Greece

Name the movie? Name the actress? Where was it filmed? - 'The Sound Of Music' / Julie Andrews / Salzburg, Austria


Jean Butler & Michael Flateley














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