Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

Euro Fan Cafe has been going all week and a lot has taken place there. Anne Marie David came and charmed, giving a mini concert and touched some fans to tears declaring without them she wouldn't be alive. And then she cried some, too. Eurovision can give you so much once you take part in it indeed. I would like to quote Hanna Pakarinen here when she said she didn't realize that taking part once you are a member of a very special family forever. So true. Jacqueline Boyer was there too and sung Tom Pillibi. How cool is that?  Several Austrians have taken the stage, like unrecognizable Thomas Forstner and ever so energetic Stella Jones (both pictured here).  Also Waterloo & Robinson who sung about their little world in 1976 have changed quite a bit and Waterloo even sung his national final entry from 1990, when he finished 4th with So ein wunderschönes Leben . Check out the video below. 

Austria has been now away since Helsinki 2007 blaming the unfair disapora and neighbouring voting but sour grapes, say most non Austrians. They have had an on-off relationship with Eurovision by dropping out in several occasions: 1969-1971, 1973-1975 plus 1998 and 2001 for bad average score relegation system. In 2006 they stayed home as well stating "they would not enter a performer in protest at their poor results in previous years, arguing that the musical talent of the performers was no longer the determining factor in Eurovision succes". Their two last entries failed to make the final and their last entry in the final made it only 21st. Austria has however won in 1966 and has also five other top-5 placings, last one from 1989 but in 2003 they came 6th (so much for the musical talent and success, I say!) At the moment there seems to be no interest to return. Let's see. My favourite Austrian entries include besides 1989  2007 , 2002 , 1999 , 1993 , 1992 , 1981 , 19...