It was always interesting when our friends at the EBU relaxed the rule about singing in your own language. Obviously, where most songs are sung in a non-native language, it’s usually English. But since 1999, countries do often revert to their own, or sing in another entirely.
Back in 2012, when we were way way way out east, Finland picked a native language, but it wasn’t Finnish. You’ll know that 10% of Finns have Swedish as a first tongue, so birthday girl Pernilla Karlsson sang the only song in that language in Baku. Sadly she didn’t quite make the final, finishing 12th of 18.
Pernilla is 28 today.
Hyvää syntymäpäivää/Grattis på födelsedagen, Pernilla!