Hey, Tuorem. Before I say anything, let me apologize for my grammar errors in my earlier post. I was rushing, and only after I had posted and reread my post, I've realized how many mistakes were in there
Sorry.
Anyways, as you put it, indeed the ESC race may appear totally ridiculous once one realizes how it works, but I also agree with you it has numerous pluses/positive effects. You've mentioned some of them, and I can add at least one more: because of ESC I have got interested in many languages that most likely I wouldn't care about if I hadn't followed ESC. For instance, Hebrew. Thanks to Dana I have taken lessons in Hebrew, and look me now, I speak Hebrew
So, for me, ESC was a sort of the window into linguistic diversity of Europe.
As for the future of the ESC, I don't know what will happen, but I wouldn't be surprised if also other countries (even if they don't withdraw from the ESC) will take this indifferent attitude as your homeland France, for instance. Decades ago, it was an honour for French artists and singers to sing and represent at ESC, today, they avoid it, mock it... Not even Mylene Farmer wants to have anything with it, although she is the supreme gay diva in France
Oh, I love her... And if we talk already about the French entries, a couple of days ago I've told you that since Natacha St Pierre France hasn't sent good songs any longer... Apologies, mistake. I actually adore Amandine's song, also P. Kaas was superbe, and I loved also that song from the early 2000's with the title Ciels et .... Something... I can't remember, but that song was poorly sung live, but I liked the studio version. So, France was good too over the last 15 years, but apart P. Kaas, you haven't scored high... Never? One more thing about French entries. I've asked myself earlier why P. Kaas took part in ESC in the first place? It doesn't seem logical at first sight, but then I remembered that in 2009 ESC was in Russia, and some of the French singers have huge following/fan base in Russia. For instance, Lara Fabian is super popular in Russia. So, my opinion is that P. Kaas went to ESC that year only to "impress" the host nation, for this is a huge market that everyone would love to get in - regardless of the fact we talk about the "horrible" Russia
Okey, after this long post, I owe you still reply to your question for how long I am following ESC? My first ESC that I remember in its entirety is from 1989, when Yugoslavia, back then my homeland, won the contest with Riva in Lousanne
That night, one little 8 years old boy could fall asleep until early morning hours because of the whole excitement
Oui, cela veut dire que je suis "fan" d' ESC déja 26 années
Mais il faut que je dise aussi que je ne sois pas "hardcore" fan comme les autres ici. Sorry, my French has got rusty a bit over the years, as I am not using it much.
Finally, I am glad you like Here for you. In my opinion, it is our best entry ever, but in my fave list, it shares its first place with Samo ljubezen by Sestre. I know, I know, the majority of ESC don't like this song, but for me, this song has emotional and personal value: its lyrics in Slovene are simply perfect and their meaning made me proud for the first time as a gay, even though back then I barely admitted to myself I was gay. Samo ljubezen is a sort of anthem for me, to put it simple
Okey, here I end. Damn, tuorem, you made me get really personal on the public forum. Next time, when it is as personal as now, I will send you rather a private message