Eurovision: Host banned from wearing rainbows by contest organisers
One of this year’s Eurovision hosts has revealed that he has been banned from wearing rainbows by the contest’s organisers, because it would be ‘political’.
Danish actor Pilou Asbæk, who is hosting the contest alongside Lise Rønne and Nikolaj Koppel, revealed to The Guardian earlier this week that organisers had vetoed a planned rainbow motif.
He said: “I asked them if I can wear rainbows. No. We’re not allowed to be political.
“It’s about music, not politics. But music and politics, you can not divide them. Not in my mind.
“I’m not allowed to be political, because east Europe is such a big part of Eurovision. They just need to chill the fuck down.”
Asked about the contest’s inclusivity, he said: “Everyone’s welcome. Hispanic lesbian woman, welcome. Little Jewish gay guy, welcome.
“Everybody, as long you like music and like to party, you’re welcome. I love that.
“You can see in the world right now that people are becoming more and more afraid of sexuality. That’s so weird. It doesn’t make sense.”
Iceland’s Eurovision entry Pollapönk had prominently included rainbow flags in their official music video for song ‘No Prejudice’, but the flags were absent from their performance in Tuesday’s semifinal.
Austria’s entry in the contest, bearded drag queen Conchita Wurst, is one of the favourites to win this evening.
On Wednesday, three Russian same-sex couples married in the contest’s host city, Copenhagen.
The Eurovision Song Contest starts at 8pm tonight, on BBC1.
