The Eurovision Song Contest, known for its diverse entries, has seen a trend of songs referencing EU policies in this year’s competition. With over 162 million viewers last year, the competition has a wide reach, making it a platform for artists to indirectly nod towards Brussels in their songs. One such song is ‘Europapa’ by Dutch singer Joost Klein, which celebrates Europe’s integration and freedom of movement. This year’s entries touch on a variety of EU policies, from rural strategies to mental health and climate change.
Croatia’s entry, ‘Rim Tim Tagi Dim’ by Baby Lasagna, addresses the issue of rural depopulation, a concern tackled by the European Commission in its long-term vision for rural areas. The song tells the story of a young man leaving his rural home to seek opportunities in the city, reflecting the challenges faced by many rural communities. The Commission has made efforts to address this issue through initiatives like the rural pact and rural action plan, recognizing the importance of rural areas in society.
Estonia’s entry takes on the topic of risk factors for non-communicable diseases, aligning with EU strategies on addressing drug use. The song highlights the dangers of drug use while taking a more lenient stance on alcohol consumption. The World Health Organisation has criticized the EU for its approach to alcohol, and Estonia’s song may not help with changing perceptions. Mental health is also a prominent theme in this year’s entries, with songs addressing issues like depression and ennui. The EU has a strategy to normalize discussions about mental health, aiming to address the silent pandemic affecting a significant portion of the population.
Climate change is another key issue featured in this year’s Eurovision entries, reflecting the growing global concern over environmental challenges. Georgia’s song ‘Firefighter’ uses powerful imagery of a burning house to draw attention to the urgency of addressing climate change. Similarly, France’s entry hints at the impact of rising global temperatures on marine life, suggesting a connection to the EU’s environmental policies. Artists are using their platform at Eurovision to raise awareness about pressing issues like climate change, aligning with the priorities of the European Commission and other EU institutions.
Overall, this year’s Eurovision entries showcase a range of themes related to EU policies, from rural development to mental health and climate change. Artists are using their music to highlight important issues that are often addressed by EU initiatives and strategies. Through their songs, they are able to reach a wide audience and spark conversations about topics that are central to the future of Europe and the world. The integration of these policy themes in the Eurovision competition demonstrates the potential for music and art to engage with political and social issues in creative and meaningful ways.
