If this year’s Eurovision taught us anything, it’s that everybody hates Russia.
Eurovision is the European song contest – think Europe’s answer to American Idol, except it takes place over one week, and each country’s entry is just one band performing one song. Unlike an American reality show, everyone is scrupulously polite and kind. Lots of songs have to do with the value of peace and friendship, to the point where the contest has a reputation for being painfully bland.
Accordingly, Sweden won with a handsome, charismatic singer named Måns Zelmerlöw, performing an upbeat song entitled “Heroes.”
But Russian singer Polina Gagarina’s ode to friendship, “A Million Voices,” came in second. Everyone loved or hated Russia – or, more likely, they loved or hated Vladimir Putin. We never thought we’d hear booing from Eurovision fans, but it got so bad the hosts had to admonish the crowd to keep it civil during the voting. And check out all those rainbow flags during Russia’s performance at semifinals:
What other performances were remarkable? Thankfully, we’ve got all the Eurovision superlatives you could ever want.