Beyonce and Eurovision.

Yeah I've just got back from dinner with my mother. It was all sociable and really the only topic of conversation was the practical plans surrounding this wedding such as how we're all going to get there and back. With the Eurovision Song Contest going on all week, the Europa football final taking place as I right, a donors conference on Mali and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting taking place today I'm a bit pressed for time. However there is one thing I should comment on.

On Tuesday (14/5/13) Beyonce the wife of Rihanna's mentor Jay-Z cancelled a concert in Antwerp, Belgium citing exhaustion and dehydration sparking rumours that she might be pregnant again. This might be true however the real reason for the cancellation of the concert is that discussions about rescheduling and ticket refunds could be used as a way for the US and Belgium to talk about Belgium's Eurovision entry. Obviously I don't want to give too much away before the final but from the running order that was set by the Swedish hosts (a major break from tradition) it is clear that the main way the transition from the old Cold War east and west Europe is being explored is through the former Soviet states attitudes towards the European Union (EU) very tolerant attitudes towards homosexuality and Russia's less tolerant attitudes that were the sub-text throughout the Pussy Riot trial. The Russians argument is that because heterosexual people can be tricked into thinking they are homosexual if homosexuality were to be openly promoted it will lead to a collapse of society with tumbling marriage and birthrates and a HIV/AIDS epidemic. Therefore lots of the old Soviet nations entries touch on themes of marriage, childbirth and things that influence youth sexuality such as drugs, dance music, films, TV shows, video games and Internet pornography. The Belgium entry "Love Kills" by Roberto Bellarosa touches on all these themes and does so in such a way as to make it looks like it agrees with both the Russian position and the EU position. Therefore it's a clear attempt to boost Belgium's popularity and influence in former Soviet states by showing it understands their predicament. It seems to be working with Belgium making it through to the final for the first time in years.

Also the Swedish hosts and few of the competing nations are trying to make Rihanna a big theme of this years contest in order to assess opinions ahead to the European leg of her tour. For example the opening performance of last years winner "Euphoria" by Loreen featured her wearing a flowing red dress while being accompanied by a deaf choir performing a very choral like version of the song. The was a clear reference to the 2012 Para-Olympic closing ceremony which featured Rihanna and marked the start of our deeply unhappy marriage.

(Originally Posted) 20:40 on 15/5/13.