Eurovision viewers have expressed their disappointment that the contest’s theme “celebrate diversity” was not reflected in the acts or hosts chosen.
This year the Eurovision Song Contest’s organisers picked diversity as the idea they wanted to see expressed in performances.
But with a team of three white male presenters in Kiev and an overwhelmingly white roster of performers, viewers were left wondering what had gone wrong.
This is the whitest celebration of diversity I've ever seen. So many different types of white. #eurovision
— Rosianna Halse Rojas (@papertimelady) May 13, 2017
#Eurovision what exactly happened to the diversity you were meant to be celebrating?!
— laurastorey (@laurastorey) May 13, 2017
People remarked upon the large number of acts singing in English rather than their own language.
#ESC2017 #EurovisionDiversity 26 countries, 6 sang part/all their songs in their native language. And the only non-white was Australian.
— Emily Gee (@emilygee_r) May 13, 2017
Many viewers pointed out that they could not see any diversity at the ceremony.
"Celebrating Diversity', the slogan of this year's Eurovision. That'll explain why nearly every face on the show tonight is white.
— Victor Devine (@vicdevine) May 13, 2017
So… did anyone actually tell the countries that this year's theme was diversity? Anyone…? #Eurovision
— Pinkkayedoll (@SuperStrutter) May 13, 2017
British viewers also raised their concerns that the UK’s traditionally lacklustre garnering of votes from other countries would suffer even more this year thanks to the EU referendum result.
Remember #Eurovision most of us didn't actually vote #brexit. Be gentle. Spare a point or two.
— Wanda N (@WandaNudnik) May 13, 2017
So Eurovision post brexit vote….will our European neighbours have found a way to score us minus points? #Eurovision2017 #Eurovision
— Kirsty Lowe-Brown (@klowebrown) May 13, 2017
Some saw UK act Lucie Jones’ song Never Give Up On You as being an anti-Brexit anthem.
If nothing else we have an anti-Brexit song to unite behind #GBR #Eurovision Europeans, please vote for #GBR just to annoy Brexiteers.
— Andrew Phillips (@atmphillips) May 13, 2017
