How Finland Got So Good At Eurovision

Finland have very suddenly gotten very good at Eurovision. But how did they do it?

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[Neasa]

Guys I think he really likes Finland..

[KennethWinberg]

The day after UMK released Käärijä’s Cha Cha Cha video everybody was talking about the guy with the green “bolero”, he really made a big mark in Finland from the beginning. And I don’t think that it was any doubt that he would become the publics big favourite this year in UMK. It was a shame he didn’t win Eurovision, getting so close, but then again he became the big favourite with the viewers and audience. And the day after the finale who is going out to buy the artist's music and the concert tickets, I am sure not any of the people in the different country juries bought any music or concert tickets to any of the participating Eurovision artists. But the viewers and the audience did. Käärijä is just a very good example of when everything clicks together, , song, stage performance, costume, color and last but not least his amazing personality.

[Eva-mpxg]

Käärijä is now the winner of MTV EMA 2023 Best Nordic Act award. Something seems to go to the right direction in Finland 🇫🇮

[doublejayjay]

As a Finnish person I gotta point out that we tend to genuinely REALLY like our own language in music. Like, it's not just UMK songs - Finnish people just often really, really like hearing our own language used creatively in songs. And honestly, I really believe we've got an extremely unique pop music scene when it comes to lyricism and the vibes of the songs, which might partly be because of the style of our language in general. I really want an opportunity to introduce people to Finnish pop classics some day, I really believe we've got an unique perspective on them.

[dasmysteryman]

I have never seen so much support for a Eurovision entry from a country as Finland did in 2023. I'm sure it's mostly Käärijä's charisma that's causing this, of course, but along with that is a renewed confidence that they'll succeed in Eurovision.

After hearing good things about next year's UMK, I could smell victory for Finland next year. Watch this space.

[juuuh...]

Käärijä really shows how we finns are kinda small thinking about ourselves. Käärijä came home with the second highest eurovision place ever in finland and the puplic totally on his side, and still he was worried that he betrayed the people by not winning. Gladly finns took him home with a parade and told him he was the winner all along.

[overwavezz]

I hope to see more releases from Käärijä in the near future, he has great talent and could easily get recognised globally. 🇫🇮

[paulojrneto]

Come to think it, Finland and Portugal have similar histories at Eurovision.
- Both countries were at the periphery of the Eurovision geography (together with Turkey), at least before the introduction of the Eastern European countries and their languages were deemed too impenetrable for the core Eurovision audience and judges.
- Both countries were always more keen to march to their own beat and send what felt more authentic to them then to impress or to follow trends. As a consequence, their good results were few and far between and several of their overlooked entries have now been retroactively been appreciated.
- Both countries had an overdue Eurovision victory that blew everything else out of the water in their respective year.
- Both countries have yassified their national finals which now rank among the most prestigious NF, whereas in the past they didn't stand out as much.

[Liljaiines]

Hi, finnish girl here👋 i'ts funny how before when I went to other countries and told someone that I'm from Finland they were just like OK.... And now everyone is like OMG thats where käärijä is from😂😅

[kirsij]

Tapio Hakanen, the music producer of umk has said that years 2018 and 2019 were really important for the development of umk. For Saara an Darude they concentrated on the quality over quantity regarding of the music videos and stage shows. Even if there were no success in esc, umk team realized that this is the quality they wanna stick with and that came to be the basis of the current umk. Also, when they are able to provide proper support for the artists, it is also more interesting for the artists to join, not to mention the hype the participation brings nowdays.

[kaarija.dashcorn]

UMK is by far the best national final. Both Blind Channel and Käärijä made it this way. I'm so proud of both of them. I don't know about Finland winning the Eurovision because it seems the juries have their favourite countries/music genres, and if Käärijä couldn't do it with Cha Cha Cha I don't know what song can win. But I would love for a Finnish win, they are long overdue.

[emmythefilmnerd]

Blind Channel has become one of my favorite bands🙌🏼 they have been on my top 5 artists on Spotify two years in a row now

[JSGRanks]

I was also at the Käärijä Roundhouse concert, and I concur with the statement "I regret nothing. I would do it again" cause I simply will.

[tanjanikola]

Käärijä's gig last night at Apollo in Helsinki was absolutely nuts! And off to see the dress rehearsal at UMK 2024.

[yellow.pomelo]

i didnt hear about eurovision until 2021 when mum told me my favourite czech singer is going to participate. unfortunately, he didnt do a good job but i fell for blind channel so hard that i got obsessed with eurovision. each year 21-23 i voted for finland and im deeply obsessed with blind channel and käärijä now and im waiting for what finland gives us next year

[OZyyyyyu]

This video is amazing, its really sweet you thought about this. :) Also I think you are really on point, on point about finland stepping their game. Cicciolina is just iconic, wonder why didnt it win....
This year didnt go so well, but still im happy about our entry, somehow it gave ne happy feelings and not being so serous how things go.
I think Finland has a good change but of course what is most important is to have lovable, talented contestant, and song, show! Person who draws people in. People are unique. not everyone is like Käärijä.
thank you for this video, I appereciate

[esterelina]

I'm a Finnish eurovision fan and have been since I was like 5 years old. 2015-2019 were painful years, but the last few years have truly made up for it. I only hope that it will stay that way.

Regarding the language thing, I think there has generally been a development in recent years where the Finnish music industry has embraced our native language (or languages) more. Ten years ago there was a strong idea that nobody could have a succesful career abroad by singing in Finnish. But this summer I believe all the top 10 most streamed songs in Finland were in Finnish! And I just think it's so great

[je.h]

I love that Finland just sends who they love. Who cares about juries, at the end of the day, its the people who has the power to say whether a song is a banger or not. They are the one who will consume the music

[Shalunium]

I love when songs are sung in singer's own language. I hope next year there would be more. I also LOVE that Finland sent a song in the native language [insert Käärijä pronoucing language]. I mainly listen to songs in Finnish and it has saddened me that the entries are usually un English. One of the reasons I loved Stefania was the language (and the flute!) and this year My sister's crown's chorus was awesome.

[ribbitrally]

finland has been one of my favourites in esc for years, i've always been excited to hear their entries, and this year just confirmed my love for them <3 i am so beyond proud and happy for käärijä and finland in general getting the love they deserve!