I can highly recommend a day off. It’s a rarity at Eurovision but I find myself having all but avoided everything going on at the arena and press centre yesterday, spending most of the day in Bratislava before heading to a couple of parties last night. And all this whilst a jury semi-final was going on.
Bratislava first; an interesting diversion only an hour away by train and a whole new country to add to the list. The old town is very pretty, full of charm and character in that fairytale central European way. We had a lovely amble round the streets and a leisurely lunch before heading back via boat along the Danube. On arriving it took only minutes to observe a huge contrast with Vienna: the state of some of the more modern buildings, the feel of the city, the fashions, and the obvious difference in affluence was striking. The shadow of its Communist past, decline and neglect looms large; you know instantly you’re in a former Eastern Bloc country, and the I’ve never seen such a clear example of this contrast within such a short travelling time. It’s hard to believe it’s just next door to Austria and all the cool chic we have in Vienna.
We came back home to honour an engagement with the Ambassador. This was a lovely gesture and is the first Ambassadorial Reception I’ve been invited to at Eurovision. What a lovely surrounding; almost rooms of State to welcome us, which in a way I guess they are, a reminder of the extension of the British Government with a portrait of Her Maj standing next to the signing in book. A very generous circulation of drinks and nibbles helped the atmosphere build and any fears of stuffiness quickly dissipate, helped by the Ambassador herself remarking that it was the first time everyone invited had turned up to a do here, and that she used to watch Eurovision with snacks and lots of cheap wine at home with friends. “It will be the same this year”, she said, “but the wine might be a bit better.” A woman after our own hearts.
Electro Velvet gave a well-received performance of their song, and hauled everyone connected up to take their plaudits. Before leaving I managed to have a lovely chat with the Ambassador to thank her for the evening. Like the Queen she probed “and one do you do?” about my day job. This led to a charming discussion of LGBT rights, and how she wanted to ensure they could use the Contest being here to promote the image of the UK as welcoming LGBT visitors and promoting diversity and acceptance. As we left we were pleased to see she’d kicked her heels off and was happily standing not on ceremony in her more comfortable stocking feet. We liked her. Can we come again?
And so on late into the night at the Israeli party, always a joy at Eurovision, with guests aplenty and a decent buffet. After such a long warm day though temperatures soared inside the Ottakringer Brewery making being inside especially unpleasant. If there’s one complaint about this year’s organisation it’s the lack of air con in the EuroClub (so rather insignificant, in the grander scheme of this year being generally fabulous). Luckily there’s a courtyard to cool off in and we made best use of that last night, allowing the party to come to us. We observed that the days of partying until 7am with a stop-off for a spanakopitta on the way home in Athens 10 Eurovisions ago are probably behind us and now we were grateful for a seat by half past one. I did miss most of the action inside, although somehow – I know not how – I did manage a snap with a topless Israeli backing dancer and the boy who manhandles Edurne.
Bratislava, British Embassy, and bearded wonders: I should have a day off more often.
Monty x