An empty stage…for now Photo: Nathan Reinds – NPO – NOS – AVROTROS
Although nobody could be as rude as British television commentator Terry Wogan used to be, the Dutch are going to take a stab this year as they present the Eurovision Song Contest from Rotterdam.
For those who don’t remember the epic moment when Duncan Laurence sang a haunting ballad called ‘Arcade’, back in 2019, the Netherlands won last time. This means the country has the joy, cost and (as it turns out) zero-tourism benefit of hosting the battle of tonsil-wobbling from countries loosely associated with Europe, like Australia.
Traditionally, Eurovision tells us, ‘six countries are automatically pre-qualified for the Grand Final. The so-called “Big 5” – France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom – and the host country.’ Fair? Who said anything was fair in geography?
Surinamese flavour to this year s Dutch Eurovision Song Festival entry dutchnews.nl - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from dutchnews.nl Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Jeangu Macrooy releases ‘Birth Of A New Age’ – The Netherlands’ song for Eurovision 2021
Our Eurovision 2021 hosting country, The Netherlands, has just announced that Jeangu Macrooy will sing ‘Birth Of A New Age’ on stage in Rotterdam. His song premiered in a special social media broadcast, and was internally selected by host broadcaster AVROTROS and has been written and produced by Jeangu Macrooy and longtime collaborator Perquisite.
The song has been descirbed by Jeangu as . an ode to everyone who stands up for themselves and dares to celebrate the power of their authenticity.”
During his entry Jeangu sings in Sranan Tongo, one of the languages of his birthplace Suriname; the language makes a welcome debut on the Eurovision stage. This section is inspired by an old Surinamese “odo” or saying: