Krajik Times: Shock, Joy, and Rock at Eurovision 2022

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Eurovision 2022: Shock, Joy, and Rock in the New Nordic Union

Bjørgvin, New Nordic Union | Annika Ulishyk | 27-05-2022

Nearly one year to the day of last year's installment, Eurovision has once again come to a close in the beautiful New Nordic host city of Bjørgvin. This year marked the Federal Kingdom of Nardin's second time participating in the regional event, this season of the contest being organized into two semi-finals with sixteen total nations competing. As part of Semi-Final 1, Nardin had to face last year's champion and host in the New Nordic Union, as well as two other Nordic favorites St. Scarlett and Laver Island. Last year disappointment had struck Nardin's representative, the folk band Poltivin Potpourri, as they failed to clinch a spot in the Grand Final.

This year, the Nardinik delegation was headed by something much different than the expected classic folk that the nation is famous for. Hailing from the Duchy of Resilic, the rising self-described "eco hard rock band" The Taiga Rangers were selected to represent at Eurovision, choosing to perform a new and never performed single called 'Subarctic Flame.' Band leader Oskar Bernsiij said the group's identity of "eco hard rock" lay in the fact that it is their mission to use their platform as entertainers to inspire climate awareness and positive action towards combating the use of fossil fuels. 'Subarctic Flame' reflects the journey to change in musical form, said Oskar, "starting slow with icy cords, building up flaming speed that grabs the imagination and makes nothing seem impossible."

The Taiga Rangers put on a truly impressive Semi-Final performance, amassing 123 points which put them in third place in their grouping and third overall going into the Grand Finale. This result alone has been enough to set Nardinik social media ablaze, with #subarctic rocketing to the top of trending lists within the hour. In a nation that has long stuck to older, more traditional forms of music, the Rangers have been embraced by many, particularly youth movements, as a new cultural infusion spreading from Resilic to the rest of the nation.

This elation was made even more so by the results of the Grand Finale. Not even having expected to finish so high in the first round, shock and joy were the buzzwords of the day as it was revealed that Nardin had won third place with 59 points, following the victor Snowfox of St. Scarlett and Cathelina of Einswenn. Spirits are high in Nardin this evening with the results of this contest; no doubt the performance will inspire many more to follow in their footsteps. As always, we look forward to next year's contest. St. Scarlett, here we come!

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