Last year books about Lordi were published in Finland but this year the focus is on the Eurovision Song Contest and the national final Euroviisut. Finland 12 points! Suomen Euroviisut and Euroviisutriviaa vuosi vuodelta have been published this week.
Asko Murtomäki, who works for the YLE’s Eurovision site and has been commenting the contest on TV several times besides being a dedicated fan and one of OGAE’s historic members, has written the most detailed history of Euroviisut so far Finland 12 points! Suomen Euroviisut (Finland 12 points! Finnish Eurovision songs). The book designed by dog design tells in its 255 pages religiously all the voting systems and rules over the years, not forgetting the political atmosphere at the time and throws in interesting trivia.
Also the reactions by the public and media at the time are nicely featured, not forgetting the scandals.The mother of all scandals in Finland of course is 1965 when Viktor Klimenko’s Aurinko laskee länteen was sent off to Naples to collect zero points, when the public’s favourite was Katri Helena’s Minne tuuli kuljettaa, a song very similar to Poupée de cire, poupée de son, 1965 winner. Besides, Katri Helena looked like France Gall. What would have happened to her has kept Finns wondering over 30 years.
Another mystery and 'what if?' situation occurred in 1980 when YLE had a joint final for both Eurovision and Intervision. Vesa-Matti Loiri won Euroviisut with Huilumies and came last in The Hague, while Marion’s Hyvästi yö triumphed in Sopot and won the contest. What ifthey had sent her The Hague?
The book also features dozens of charts and list that will make every Eurovision Song Contestfan happy. Who has scored best in Euroviisut over the years in one year as a composer? Answer: Maki Kolehmainen in 2002 when he won with Laura’s Addicted to you, came second with Aika’s Stay and third with Geir Rönning’s I don’t wanna throw it all away.There is also a list of cover versions made and full information on all 460 songs that have competed in Euroviisut so far. Most are already fully forgotten but many have become hits and evergreens without winning so it is interesting to spot those and go “oh, was that from Euroviisut, too?” while reading.
Ismo Loivamaa and Juha Seitajärvi have written Euroviisutriviaa vuosi vuodelta (Eurovision trivia year by year), which is written more tongue on cheek, concentrating on scandals and featuring a lot of irony and has an yellow press kind of approach. Its 139 pages are filled with gossip and headlines that would fit in magazines like O.K and Hello. In the end there are five questionnaires, a fan test and a list of songs the writers recommend for those not familiar with theEurovision Song Contest history.
Reading both books together is fun as the way the things are presented can be very different. Roughly it could be said Murtomäki as a true fan loves the songs and sees them in a positive way no matter what and comments them nicely, while Loivamaa-Seitajärvi comment them with irony and ruthless criticism.Both books also are filled with rare photos and original record sleeves.
Asko Murtomäki: Finland 12 points! Suomen Euroviisut (published by Teos, 39 euros)
Ismo Loivamaa-Juha Seitajärvi: Euroviisutriviaa vuosi vuodelta (published by Helmi, 22 euros)
