Why the World Needs Eurovision and the Gift of Music

However if Russia had have won? Would that have been fair after all they have done in recent years, months? I won't dwell on that but I was worried after the first 20 countries voted. I kept thinking the song was terrible, it's Russia and well it's Russia.

Now to the great things Eurovision did, build bridges. In a time of a refugee crisis, large scale natural disasters are almost monthly, the death penalty still exists and we have a large number of right wing (FAR right wing) commentators preaching to Australia to make Australia more conservative, kept out dated traditions and continue along, just act oblivious, Abbott is doing fine, the world isn't warming or changing, just follow the leader.

Yes the world has it's issues but music and unity can heal and repair damages done by the rich and powerful, the church and the young lives they destroyed (thank god for the royal commission) and people power can make change, look at Ireland.

I am gay and don't really care for marriage, I think the whole tradition is dying a slow death and divorce (now at times celebrated by divorce parties - what?) is on the rise. Marriage once the union between man and woman, a piece of paper, an expense day and in Australia a day most people get shit faced and end up having a family blue.

Eurovision was a giant party that celebrated the good, the bad and some woeful pop music. Guy Sebastian did Australia proud and has really grown on me. Not only has he grown into his looks, he has grown into his music. Idol often spat out and rejected it's alumni however Guy and Jess seem to have real staying power. And then are the outsiders like Lisa Mitchell and Matt Corby who were embraced by Triple J and the indie kids of this nation.

But mostly Eurovision is watched by over 2 million viewers, parties are held all around Europe and the world (it's not just the gays now in Australia that love Eurovision) and music is celebrated for one night. Much like the Hottest 100 in Australia, Eurovision is a musical institution and has stood the test of time for 60 years now.

We need more events like this that allow language barriers to be dropped, political agendas to be put aside and for the world to let their hair down and not take itself seriously for a night. Budget surplus, deficit is all fine and well but what about society and people's well being? Have we forgot the terrible stats in this nation for mental health and suicide.

So at the end of the day, music speaks all languages and fun and good times must be celebrated and more common place. It felt like forever we remembered a war from 100 years ago, we have journalists defending the un-defendable (I'm looking at you George Pell) and the budget woes continue. Life is short, so let's be thankful for Eurovision and the bridges they built in 2015, the year of un-winable wars and the divide between wrong and right, rich and poor and of course class warfare introduced by those smart folk in Canberra.