Hungary & Diversity in 2017
In 2017, Hungary was represented by Joci Pápai’s “Origo,” a song he wrote and produced himself about his experience of growing up as a Roma person in Hungary. The theme of the year was “Celebrating Diversity,” making “Origo” a fitting entry. For a nation where over 85% of the population is ethnically Hungarian, sending a performer of an oppressed ethnic minority was a fitting submission. The theme of “Celebrating Diversity” may have influenced the selection of this particular song. Hungary rarely features Romani culture or identity in their Eurovision entries, and it clashes with what many consider to be their National Identity. As previously discussed on this blog, the Hungarian national identity is rather homogenous. The majority of the population are ethnically Hungarian, and are Hungarian speakers. National policy enforced by the government has been historically xenophobic and exclusive. “Origo,” a song about the experience of an ethnic minority, is antithetical to this identity. H...