"The rules are the rules and they are what they are and are to respected", said Käärijä in his homecoming interview at Helsinki airport today. But he continued that maybe they should be changed to be more fair. "Loreen deserved to win. Of course I wanted to win and I am disappointed. You enter a competition to win. Not for our performance, I wouldn't change a thing. We had a chance to beat her, did well but it wasn't enough. Loreen is amazing person and I love her. But I would have loved to beat her!"
He didn't know Finland didn't give Sweden any televote points. "Wow, I didn't know that! But it only proves Finns supported me also that way and I am grateful."
Mayor of Vantaa, his hometown, and CEO of Yle were also there to welcome him home. Käärijä tells he has been in the Eurovision bubble for two weeks and has only a tiny idea of what's been going in Finland with this green hype and now it will take some time to let it sink. City of Vantaa will honor him with a murales somewhere in the city, Käärijä may suggest a place important to him for it.
He spoke about the unity and how he has managed to bring people together, for the same cause and bring joy. As a nation we need unity in these times and no matter how it's created, let it be a green bolero and silly song, as long as we stand united. United by music indeed.
He says the best thing about this Eurovision adventure are the human relationships and new friends he made. That's more important than any records he has broken or number of streams or chart positions.
He also said when asked that he could well perform in Eurovision in the future like other iconic performers like Verka Serduchka and wouldn't say no to an European tour, but Finland is his main target right now. It's worth remembering he was basically totally unknown to great public before UMK.
Next for Käärijä is his first arena concert in Helsinki Ice Hall on May 20, then a holiday before all summer festivals he's been booked to. That is most every one!
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