Sunday, May 13, 2007

Eurovision 2


Jack Hartin/New York Times

Repeating last night's quiz format, is the above picture from (a) Ireland's Eurovision song contest entry or (b) the pop repertory act Celtic Woman?

This New York Times article explains the provenance of the photo and thus settles whether it is (a) or (b). The conclusion is worthy of note --

Ireland is a country that does a lot of psychological heavy lifting for Americans. We’ve imbued the place with mysticism, greenness, quietude and rootedness. Milky-skinned maidens, singing beautiful music in front of a wall of ivy. It’s the very vision of what we want Ireland to be. Or at least what PBS [US public broadcasting service] viewers want Ireland to be.

Noting that musical acts (a) and (b) both feature actual Irish people and are produced in Ireland, it's apparently what Irish people want Ireland to be as well.

No comments: