Alumni Memories: Eurovision 2011

Posted on: 24 April 2023 by Development and Alumni Relations Team in 2023

In another of our Alumni Eurovision Memories, alumna and Eurovision superfan, Layla George (BA Hons Sociology and Social Policy 2003), shares her earliest Eurovision memories, and describes the excitement of attending her first Eurovision Song Contest in Dusseldorf in 2011 with partner and fellow alumnus Paul Dudley (BEng Hons Computer Science and Electronic Engineering 2004).

 

“Like many Eurovision fans growing up in the 1980s, the Eurovision Song Contest was a “must-see” moment at home.  My earliest memory is watching Bucks Fizz perform and then four years later Bobbysocks being crowned winners.  In the 1990s, during Ireland’s “golden years”, I started having small Eurovision parties with friends and neighbours, which included the 1997 contest, won by my favourite Eurovision song of all time, Love Shine a Light by Katrina and the Waves.  When the contest was held in Birmingham the following year, I said to my friend, “I HAVE to be in that audience one day!”  I didn’t know how I would make that happen, but it became one of my life’s ambitions. 

When I moved to Liverpool in 2000 to start my degree, I was fortunate to meet some fellow Eurovision fans and continued the tradition of annual Eurovision parties held in our homes, complete with costumes and European-themed food.  One year I dressed as Katie Boyle and my friend as Terry Wogan.  Another year four of us dressed up as Bucks Fizz.

When Germany won the 2010 contest, I knew that this was my chance at last to fulfil a lifelong dream and attend a contest in person.  The following year I flew out to Dusseldorf with my partner Paul, who claimed not to be a Eurovision fan but soon got into the spirit!  Attending a contest in person is an incredible experience where you meet people from all over the world and instantly have something in common.  There is no rivalry, with many fans supporting countries other than their own, or singing songs in different languages, and this makes Eurovision totally unique and special.  I managed to get tickets for the second semi-final and the jury final, and saw Eurovision stars including Blue, Jedward, Lena and Dana International all perform live – truly a dream come true and the moment my love for Eurovision turned into an obsession!

Since that first live contest, I have attended three more contests in person (with my very patient partner Paul!) – Lisbon (2018), Tel Aviv (2019) and Turin (2022).  I have met several contestants and at least three Eurovision winners, including the fabulous Conchita Wurst.  I am a member of OGAE UK, the official Eurovision fan club, and outside of “Eurovision season” we have regular meet-ups and a convention every October.  Like many in the fan club, I also follow other countries’ selection shows which tend to start in the December before the contest.  Eurovision really is a year-round hobby for me!

I am still pinching myself that my adopted home city of Liverpool is hosting this year’s contest.  I plan to make the most of everything going on in the city and meet up with many of my fellow fans who are visiting – and hopefully meet Sonia too!  I am very lucky to be attending all three jury shows and one live semi-final this year, as well as the ‘Turquoise Carpet’ official opening event and the EuroClub.  I also attended the official handover ceremony at St George’s Hall (where I met Rylan!) and the London Eurovision Party this year, and am a member of the University’s Eurovision Working Group.  However, I would like to apologise to my colleagues in Student Recruitment, Admissions and Widening Participation who I think I have driven quite mad with my constant talk of everything Eurovision!”