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
Copyright
subscription content
First Page
1
Last Page
15
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