The song, “Rise Like a
Phoenix,” helped Wurst — the alter ego of 25-year-old Thomas Neuwirth —
secure Austria’s second victory in the competition. The country also
won in 1966.
“This is dedicated to
everyone who believes in a future of peace and freedom,” a tearful Wurst
said as she accepted the trophy from Denmark’s Emmelie de Forrest, who
won the contest last year. “We are unity and we are unstoppable.”
Pushing the boundaries
of gender identity is nothing new at Europe’s annual song contest — an
extravaganza known for its eclectic, sometimes unlistenable lineup of
techno beats, love songs and pop tunes. But Wurst had been faced with
some protests before the competition, highlighting a rift between
Europe’s progressive liberal side and the traditional values and
nationalist rhetoric of Russia and some other nations taking part.
Wurst finished ahead
of The Common Linnets from the Netherlands in second place and Swedish
singer Sanna Nielsen in third, meaning next year’s contest will be held
in Austria.
Amid growing tensions
over the Ukraine crisis, some in Eastern Europe have blasted Wurst as an
example of the West’s decadence. Activists in Belarus had even urged
the country’s state television network to edit the Austrian entry out of
its Eurovision broadcast.
The annual competition
is supposed to be completely removed from politics. Neither Russia’s
entry — teenage twins Anastasia and Maria Tolmachevy — nor Ukraine’s
Mariya Yaremchuk, whose routine included a dancer running in a giant
hamster wheel, alluded to the recent tensions between Moscow and Kiev.
Still, every time
Russia got votes from mainly neighboring countries, many in the audience
of 10,000 booed, and when Moscow gave its respective 8, 10 and 12
points to Armenia, Azerbaijan and Belarus — all former Soviet republics —
more boos were heard.
The winner was picked by juries and television viewers across Europe.
The first Eurovision
song contest was held in 1956 in Switzerland and over the years, the
contest’s most famous winners include ABBA, Celine Dion and Johnny
Logan, who won the contest three times — in 1980 and 1987 as a
performer, and in 1992 as a songwriter..
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