Ireland has fallen at the first hurdle of Eurovision 2021 with Lesley Roy’s Maps eliminated in the semi-final. Roy (34) did her best to add to the pageantry with an elaborate “paper world” set conceived by Swedish designer (and Eurovision veteran) Fredrik Rydman. Ireland’s big moment was also silly rather than camp – and one sensed this distinction mattered a great deal to the Eurovision audience. The world is an increasingly fraught and divided place – but the first semi-final from Rotterdam was a reminder we’ll always have Eurovision. Eurovision continues at Rotterdam’s Ahoy Arena on Thursday at 8pm, when 18 countries compete in the second semi-final.

Source: The Irish Times May 18, 2021 21:10 UTC