How to make the most of Milan during the Eurovision Song Contest 2022

The battle for hosting the Eurovision Song Contest in 2022 in Italy began the minute Måneskin won the ESC 2021, in Rotterdam. Earlier this summer, we told you how to make the most of Rome and we told you everything you need to know about Pesaro. These two cities are still in the race to become a hosting city, as well as Milan.

Milan is a city in the north of Italy. The city has the most habitants of Italy, after Rome. Milan is considered a leading global city, with strengths in many fields, like art, commerce, design, education, entertainment finance, healthcare, and tourism. Of course we all know Milan for being one of the fashion capitals of the world. Let’s take a look at what Milan has to offer!

Milan Cathedral

Cathedral of Milan

The cathedral, also called the Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica of the Nativity of Saint Mary (Italian: Basilica cattedrale metropolitana di Santa Maria Nascente), is the most famous cathedral church in Milan.

The construction of the cathedral took about 6 centuries. Simone da Orsenigo started the construction in 1386. Benigno Mörlin Visconti Castiglione was the last architect to work on the property, in 1965. It is the largest church in Italy, even bigger than St. Peter’s Basilica is in the State of Vatican City

The view from the roof is breathtaking. Please note that the elevator does not reach the top floor. Prepare for a lot of stairs. Believe us, it’s definitely worth it! Definitely book a (private) tour if you’re interested in the history of the cathedral. This gives a visit to the church an extra dimension through the beautiful stories of the tour guide.

Brera District

Brera is a district (“quartiere”) in Milan. The district has an artistic and bohemian atmosphere and is located in zone 1, (the historic core of the city). Brera is also called “the Milanese Montmartre”. Sounds promising, right? The neighborhood is filled with bars and restaurants. It is less suitable if you want to shop.

The main historical building is Palazzo Brera. Brera houses the Brera Academy of Fine Arts and the Brera Art Gallery are located here, as well as Milan’s botanical garden as well as an astronomical observatory and the Braidense National Library. Other features that contribute to the character of Brera include restaurants, bars, night clubs, antique and art shops, colorful street markets, as well as fortune tellers’ booths. Especially this last feature might be interesting if you want to place a bet on the Eurovision Song Contest.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

Do you prefer to go to a place where you can shop (in the most exclusive stores)? Then you should pay the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II a visit. This is Italy’s oldest active shopping arcade and a landmark of Milan. The inspiration for the name of the building is the first king of Italy, Victor Emmanuel II.

The building was designed in 1861 and built between 1865 and 1877. The architect who completed this job is Guiseppe Mengoni. A common nickname is Il Salotto di Milano (Salon of Milan), because of its many shops and importance as a common meeting and dining place in Milan.

The shopping center is located in ”Centro Storico”, in the center of the city. Some of the oldest shops reside in the Galleria. Several of the stores and restaurants have been there since the 19th century. The entrance to the building is particularly impressive.

Fun fact: Mac Donalds was the first to being denied a renewal of their contract, after housing in the Galleria for 20 years. Mac Donalds sued the landlord – the city of Milan – for 24 million in damages. The fast food chain renounced the suit after receiving the opportunity to open a new restaurant nearby. Prada opened their second store in the Galleria, replacing the fast food restaurant.

Tram Ristorante ATMosfera

If you have a night off of the Eurovision craziness, you could choose to have an exclusive dinner at Tram Ristorante ATMosfera. The restaurant is located at Sforzesco Castle. It’s a fine dining experience combined with round trip in the city of Milan. ATMosfera offers two historic trams and thus the first itinerant trams in Italy.

The menus offer options for meat lovers, fish eaters and vegetarians. The chef is responsible for putting together the menu. Updates on the menu are regular and in tune with the seasons.

You can visit the restaurant 7 days a week. However, it is necessary to book in advance. You can book your table on the ATMosfera website.

”Gaying” in Milan

As we’ve mentioned before, Milan is one of the fashion capitals of the world. Milan is a big city and offers plenty of accommodations. From hotels to home rentals, you are sure to find something that fits your needs. Be sure to visit websites like Tripadvisor to read the most recent reviews.

There is also a gay scene in Milan. Signs of affection like holding hands, hugging in the street, and kissing cheek to cheek are perfectly accepted in the city. The gay scene used to be around the area that’s called Via Sammartini. We do not advise that you visit this area, as it’s considered unsafe. The gay scene has moved to the Porta Venezia district, on Via Lecco. In town, you need a club card to access most gay clubs. You can purchase this card at the participating locations.

Milan

Sanne Messemaker

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History

Austria in the Eurovision Song Contest, part 7

This year’s Eurovision Song Contest has been won by Austria. It was the 57th Austrian entry. Reason for us to go back to all the Austrian entries in history! For Austria in the Eurovision Song Contest, part 7, we look back at the start of the 21st century. Alf Poier participated for Austria, but there were also some unsuccesful entries. And there was a 3-year gap. 2000 – The Rounder Girls – All To You Austria’s 2000 entry “All To You” was internally selected by broadcaster ORF. The song was written by American songwriter Dave Moskin. Moskin gave the three-piece vocal group The Rounder Girls an up-tempo, gospel-influenced pop track. Performing last in the Stockholm final, the trio, with members from Austria, the US and the UK, delivered slick harmonies and choreography. They finished 14th out of 24 countries with 34 points. The Rounder Girls were a seasoned soul/gospel ensemble, and their Eurovision appearance raised their profile, though Austria’s middling result meant the country sat out the contest in 2001. 2002 – Manuel Ortega – Say A Word “Say A Word” by Manuel Ortega won Austria’s “Song.Null.Zwei” 2002 national final out of ten songs. this entry was an upbeat pop song with a catchy, boy-band style hook. It was composed by Alexander Kahr with lyrics by Robert Pfluger. At Eurovision 2002 in Tallinn, Ortega performed third and Austria placed 18th (26 points) in the final. Manuel Ortega, a young pop singer, had scored a summer hit in 2001 and was nicknamed “the Austrian Ricky Martin” for his Latin pop flair. His Eurovision song’s fun choreography and positive message reflected that image, though the result was a lower mid-table finish. 2003 – Alf Poier – Weil der Mensch zählt ORF organized the “Song.Null.Drei” 2003 selection. Petra Frey (ESC 1994) was the runner up. Comedian-singer Alf Poier triumphed with “Weil der Mensch zählt”. Poier penned this satirical song himself. Musically it’s a quirky folk-pop tune delivered in Styrian dialect. The performance, complete with cartoonish animal props, was a parody of Eurovision’s over-the-top style. At the Riga contest, this offbeat entry surprised many by scoring 6th place with 101 points. Alf Poier, an Austrian stand-up comedian known for absurdist humor, thus earned Austria’s best Eurovision result in over a decade. His comedic approach and catchy refrain turned him into a fan favorite that year. 2004 – Tie Break – Du bist Austria’s national final “Song.Null.Vier” chose Tie Break’s “Du bist” for Eurovision 2004. Waterloo & Robinson (ESC 1976!) were the runners up. Note that a song, written by popstar Falco, participated too. So posthumously, Falco did a Eurovision attempt!Written by composer Peter Zimmermann, “Du bist” is a tender schlager-style pop ballad performed in German. Tie Break, a trio of fresh-faced male singers (a boy band formed via a talent search), delivered tight harmonies in Istanbul’s final. Thanks to Austria’s top-10 result the year before, they pre-qualified directly for the final. Tie Break finished 21st out of 24 with 9 points. The group had gained national fame through the selection process, but on the Eurovision stage their gentle ballad struggled to stand out in a field dominated by more dynamic acts. 2005 – Global.Kryner – Y así In 2005, “Song.Null.Fünf” was held and the crossover folk band Global.Kryner won with “Y así”. They narrowly beated Alf Poier. The controversy was that Austria changed the rules of the voting on the very last moment. Would the original voting procedure be used, Alf Poier would have won. Band members Edi Köhldorfer (composer) and Christof Spörk (lyricist) combined Latin salsa rhythms with Austrian alpine polka to create this unique “salsa-polka-pop” song. Global.Kryner was a six-member ensemble known for blending folk and jazz influences. They opened the Eurovision semi-final in Kyiv with an energetic performance featuring yodels and Latin dance breaks. However, “Y así” did not advance to the final, placing 21st of 25 in the semi-final with 30 points. The group had earned acclaim in Austria and Germany, but their daring genre fusion proved too quirky for the Eurovision televote that year. 2007 – Eric Papilaya – Get A Life – Get Alive After a brief Eurovision hiatus, Austria returned in 2007 by internally selecting Eric Papilaya. His entry “Get A Life – Get Alive” – composed by Greg Usek with lyrics by Austin Howard. It was the official anthem of Vienna’s Life Ball AIDS charity event. This song is an upbeat pop-rock anthem with an inspirational message and flashy staging. Papilaya performed with a giant red ribbon on stage. Papilaya, a rock vocalist who rose to fame on the TV talent show Starmania, gave a spirited performance in Helsinki’s semi-final. Unfortunately Austria did not qualify for the final; he placed 27th (four points) in the semi. The entry drew media attention for its charity theme, but it wasn’t enough to overcome tough competition in 2007. 2011 – Nadine Beiler – The Secret Is Love Austria returned to Eurovision in 2011 through the national selection “Düsseldorf – wir kommen!”. The competition featured ten songs. However, well-known artists Alf Poier and Petra Frey failed to pass the online preselection. As a result, Nadine Beiler won the final with her soulful ballad “The Secret Is Love”. She co-wrote the song with veteran producer Thomas Rabitsch. Musically, the entry combines elements of gospel and pop, while it clearly highlights Beiler’s strong vocal range. Previously, Nadine Beiler had gained national fame by winning the television talent show Starmania in 2007 at the age of 16. Therefore, expectations were already high when she took the stage in Düsseldorf. Her Eurovision performance began a cappella and gradually built towards a powerful climax. Consequently, Austria qualified from the semi-final in seventh place with 69 points. In the grand final, Beiler finished 18th, scoring 64 points. Nevertheless, this result marked Austria’s first appearance in a Eurovision final in seven years and therefore signalled a credible and positive comeback.

December 14, 2025 No Comments

History

🇦🇹 Austria in the Eurovision Song Contest – final episode

📷 EBU/Corinne Cumming In this final episode of our series on Austria in the Eurovision Song Contest, we cover the years 2019–2025. We’ll look at each Austrian entry’s national selection process (if any), the song’s lyricists and composers, musical style, Eurovision score, and a few facts about the artist. 2019 – PÆNDA – “Limits” In 2019, Austria internally selected singer-songwriter PÆNDA (Gabriela Horn) to perform the song “Limits” at Eurovision. PÆNDA wrote and composed the song herself; a minimalist electro-pop ballad that highlights her ethereal vocals and emotional songwriting. The lyrics describe pushing oneself too far and hitting personal limits. Despite its intimate staging and artistic vibe, Limits failed to advance from the semi-finals, placing 17th in Semi-Final 2. PÆNDA, a native of Styria, is an EDM-pop producer who launched her project in 2016. She blends underground electronic beats with catchy pop elements, and her Eurovision entry appeared on her 2019 album Evolution II. 2020 – Vincent Bueno – “Alive” For Eurovision 2020, ORF internally selected Vincent Bueno to represent Austria. “Alive” is an upbeat pop track with R&B and funk influences. Vincent co-wrote the song with a team including David “Davey” Yang and Felix van Göns. The track’s groovy bassline and falsetto riffs convey a message of liberation. It’s about feeling truly “alive” by letting go of one’s ego. Vincent is an Austrian-Filipino singer who first found fame by winning ORF’s musical talent show in 2008. He also performed in theater productions, showcasing his stage experience. Sadly, Eurovision 2020 was cancelled due to the pandemic. As a result, “Alive” never reached the Rotterdam stage and received no final score. 2021 – Vincent Bueno – “Amen” In 2021, Austria kept faith with Vincent Bueno, who returned with the power ballad “Amen”. ORF again internally selected Vincent after 2020’s cancellation. A trio of songwriters – Tobias Carshey, Ashley Hicklin, and Jonas Thander – crafted “Amen”. The entry starts as a gentle pop ballad and swells into a gospel-tinged climax, allowing Vincent to showcase soulful vocal runs. Lyrically, it’s an emotional farewell to a failed relationship, with the title evoking a final prayer or conclusion. Vincent’s performance in Rotterdam featured minimalist staging to match the song’s sincerity. However, “Amen” did not qualify for the Grand Final, placing 12th in its semi-final with 66 points. Vincent Bueno’s experience in show business, he’s a Musical! Die Show 2008 winner and skilled performer, was evident in his poised delivery, even if Austria missed out on the final. 2022 – LUM!X feat. Pia Maria – “Halo” For 2022, Austrian DJ LUM!X (Luca Michlmayr) teamed up with newcomer Pia Maria for the high-energy song “Halo”. ORF internally selected the duo for Eurovision 2022. A songwriting team including LUM!X himself, Italian DJ Gabry Ponte, Norwegian producer Anders Nilsen, Swedish songwriter Rasmus Flyckt, and Canadian singer-songwriter Sophie Simmons wrote “Halo”. The track is a high-BPM dance number with a pulsating beat and a catchy hook. On stage in Turin, LUM!X worked the DJ decks while Pia Maria sang amid vibrant neon visuals. Despite the song’s hit potential, the live vocals were shaky and Austria failed to reach the final. “Halo” finished 15th in its semi-final (42 points). At the time, LUM!X was only 19 and already had viral hits like “Monster.” Meanwhile, 18-year-old Pia Maria was a newcomer making her live TV debut. 2023 – Teya & Salena – “Who the Hell Is Edgar?” Austria took a witty turn in 2023 with “Who the Hell Is Edgar?”, a satirical electropop duet by Teya & Salena. The pair – Teodora “Teya” Špirić and Selina “Salena” Edbauer – were internally selected by ORF. They had written the song together at a songwriting camp. Teya, Salena, Czech producer Ronald Janeček, and Swiss songwriter Pele Loriano co-wrote “Who the Hell Is Edgar?”. It’s an up-tempo track with tongue-in-cheek lyrics about being “possessed” by the ghost of Edgar Allan Poe. This is a metaphor for the struggles of female songwriters in the music industry. The catchy “Poe, Poe, Poe” hook and quirky choreography made it one of that year’s most memorable entries. Teya & Salena’s charismatic performance carried Austria to the Grand Final in Liverpool, where they finished 15th with 120 points. The song also sparked conversations about streaming royalties and sexism – topics cleverly referenced in its lyrics. 2024 – Kaleen – “We Will Rave” In 2024, Austria sent Kaleen (Marie-Sophie Kreissl) to Eurovision with the song “We Will Rave”. ORF held an internal selection with live auditions to choose Kaleen. “We Will Rave” is a techno-pop banger written by Anderz Wrethov, Jimmy “Joker” Thörnfeldt, Julie Aagaard (Kill J), and Thomas Stengaard. Its thumping bass and EDM drops created a rave-like atmosphere on stage. Kaleen delivered a flashy, dance-heavy performance befitting her background as a professional dancer. Austria ultimately struggled in the Grand Final – “We Will Rave” finished 24th (second-last) with only 24 points. Kaleen was already a five-time world dance champion and had worked on Eurovision shows as a choreographer and creative director. Yet 2024 was her first time stepping into the Eurovision spotlight as a singer. 2025 – JJ – “Wasted Love” Austria achieved a historic victory in 2025 when JJ took the Eurovision crown with “Wasted Love”. ORF internally selected JJ (born Johannes Pietsch) to represent Austria. He co-wrote this operatic pop ballad with Teodora Špirić (Teya, see 2023) and composer Thomas Thurner. Orchestral strings and a melody that builds to a powerful climax make the song a perfect showcase for JJ’s soaring countertenor vocals. The lyrics lament lost love, delivered with the emotional intensity of a classical aria. “Wasted Love” captivated the audience, ultimately winning the Eurovision 2025 final with 436 points. At 24, JJ was already performing as a countertenor at the Vienna State Opera and had been a finalist on ORF’s Starmania in 2021. This triumph marked Austria’s third-ever Eurovision win. sources: Eurovision.tv, de.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org

January 4, 2026 No Comments

History

🇦🇹 Austria in the Eurovision Song Contest – final episode

January 4, 2026 No Comments