Setting the stage: Exploring Eurovision through the lenses of tourism, event management and leisure studies

Author Identifier (ORCID)

Oscar Vorobjovas-Pinta: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2666-9453

Abstract

The lyrics chosen to open this book are from Toto Cutugno’s ‘Insieme: 1992’ (eng. Together: 1992), the 1990 Eurovision-winning song for Italy. These opening lyrics reflect themes of connection, unity and shared dreams across Europe. Today, more than ever, these lyrics resonate profoundly in the context of ongoing conflicts and global challenges. As geopolitical tensions rise and divisions deepen across regions, these lyrics highlight the power of connection, even among those who may seem distant or different. To me, the lyrics also poetically capture the essence of travel and cultural exchange, emphasising how geographical distance and cultural differences dissolve emphasising how geographical distance and cultural differences dissolve in the face of shared ideals and a common dream. This resonates with the broader academic discourse in tourism, events and leisure studies that sees events such as the Eurovision not merely as a neutral third place, but as a cultural and sociopolitical act that shapes identities and mediates belonging (Bennett & Woodward, 2014; Vorobjovas-Pinta et. al., 2024).

Keywords

Eurovision, cultural exchange, tourism events, identity and belonging, sociopolitical spaces, European unity

Document Type

Book Chapter

Date of Publication

1-1-2026

Publication Title

Tourism, Events and Leisure Perspectives on the Eurovision Song Contest

Publisher

Channel View Publications

School

School of Business and Law

RAS ID

91603

Comments

Vorobjovas-Pinta, O. (2026). Setting the stage: Exploring Eurovision through the lenses of tourism, event management and leisure studies. In O. Vorobjovas-Pinta & J. Shepherd (Eds.), Tourism, events and leisure perspectives on the Eurovision Song Contest (pp. 1–16). Channel View Publications. https://doi.org/10.21832/VOROBJ9097_1

Copyright

subscription content

First Page

1

Last Page

15

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Link to publisher version (DOI)

10.2307/jj.32657597.4