REWIND 2020 – It was definitely a year to remember for generations. History was written on many levels. Regarding Eurovision, it was the first time since its establishment (1956) the contest forced to cancel.
Hooverphonic changed their lead singer through a phone call, EBU got a new Executive Supervisor, Junior Eurovision aired as a recorded event with various comments and accusations about the winner.
Eastern Mediterranean crisis and the lack of US policy brought Israel closer to its enemies bringing hopes for Morocco and Lebanon to return in Eurovision. Rybak was annoyed because Eurovision organisers told him the “F” word.
Albania got a Eurovision entrant decided a month earlier the contest itself takes place. Eurovision parties cancelled throughout Europe and Cafe de Paris bankrupt. Half (or more) countries) re-affirmed participants for 2021 Eurovision.
Host city got a negative budget balance of 7 million Euros due to security costs for the loss of Eurovision 2020. Eurovision special live show, replacing the actual contest was a big failure.
OIKOTIMES revamped both in style and team. Got ridden of overweights and got new mentality. Despite several mishaps, we managed to get 18.2 million visits this year (a slight increase from 2019), 28% increase in Instagram followers, 9% on Facebook and more than 42% reach and interaction increase in both social media.
17 exclusive news posted this year by oikotimes which immediately fan sites (if anyone can call them as such, especially those who get funded by participants fo Eurovision 2021) naturally forced to copy.
We also got several Eurostars leaving us. In memory of them and their music, here is the list of Eurovision stars who passed away in 2020.
- Dominic Smith – United Kingdom – Assistant Head and Head of Delegation, 1998 – 2005
- Reynaert (Joseph Reynaerts) – Belgium – 1988
- Rajko Dujmić – Yugoslavia – 1987 – 1989
- Ricky Valance – United Kingdom – A Song for Europe 1961
- Krunoslav Kićo Slabinac – Yugoslavia – 1971
- Tadej Hrušovar – Yugoslavia – 1975
- Esteban Santos – Spain – 1984
- Del Newman – Italy – 1980
- Larry Gogan – Ireland – Radio and television commentator 1978 – 2001, 2011
- Mojmir Sepe – Yugoslavia – 1966, 1970
- Timur Selçuk – Turkey – 1975 & 1989
- Agathon Iakovidis – Greece – 2013
- Ossi Runne – Finland – Conductor on 22 occasions – 1966 – 1989
- Ulla Pia – Denmark – 1966
- Pearl Carr – United Kingdom – 1959
- Ljiljana Petrovic – Yugoslavia – 1961
- Jahn Teigen – Norway – 1978, 1982, 1983
- Dragan Vučić – North Macedonia – 2005
- Bill Martin – United Kingdom – 1967, 1968 – Luxembourg – 1975
- Alan Merrill – United Kingdom – A Song for Europe 1976
