Could Vatican City take part in Eurovision?
As the first countries commit to next year’s Eurovision Song Contest – could an entry from Vatican City be on the way?
The confetti has barely been swept up from this year’s contest – but following Australia’s unexpected entry this year – diehard fans might be wondering if Vatican City could be heading to Sweden in 2016.
Far-fetched as it might seem, quirks in the official rules mean that technically, the home of the Catholic Church is eligible to field an entrant to the contest if it wants to.
The rules of Eurovision only require a broadcaster to have membership of the European Broadcasting Union – which the Church’s TV and radio outlet Radio Vaticana has actually been part of since it was founded in 1950.
If there’s one element of the contest the Vatican has down already, it’s the camp and costumes – the Cardinals’ robes wouldn’t look at all out of place on a Stockholm stage, as the smoke machine whirs.
Vatican City would also be much better placed to afford entry to the contest – and isn’t lacking in grandiose venues to host in case they win.
The Church might struggle to find singing talent among its population of 800 – 60% of residents are over the age of 60, and the majority aren’t known for their musical prowess – but it’s also home to countless choirs and choral groups, which are surely just an EDM backing track away from Eurovision glory.
The Vatican needn’t be worried about the frosty reception from the show’s gay fans, either, as the show’s organisers have already developed ‘anti-booing’ technology to silence protests this year when Russia’s entry performed.
PinkNews contacted Radio Vaticana to ask whether they’ve thought about entering the contest next year – but sadly didn’t get a reply.
