Paul the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of eurovision.community is an experienced Eurovision Media Journalist he has used his extensive network of contacts (and friends) to build a community of like minded fans and was instrumental in the delivery of the community mission statement and country network. Paul is very well known in Eurovision circles having interviewed Eurovision artists in Liverpool in 2023 and known worldwide for presenting the Terra TV (Mexico) Song Contest for many years.
View Paul’s YouTube channel.
Ian is the Chief Operating Officer of eurovision.community and works closely with Pablo to define and deliver the organisation’s strategic goals. Ian describes himself as a “professional problem solver” and has been a Eurovision fan since 1976 when he performed that years winning hit “Save all your kisses for me” on stage with his brother to win a make up bag for their mum! Hooked ever since it wasn’t until Lisbon 2018 that he got to experience the Arena at the live final. A big believer in “together we are stronger” Ian celebrates all that Eurovision stands for and means to us all, and is excited to grow the “friendly” Eurovision Community.
I have been a Eurovision fan for over 40 years. My earliest memory is watching Buck Fizz get their win in 1981. I was hooked ever since. What I love about Eurovision is the exposure to artists that I wouldn’t normally be exposed to. As an English speaker hearing all the different languages on one stage really intrigued me as a child. I am a huge fan of Celine Dion, Loreen, Lara Fabian, Helena Paparizou, Zeljko Joksimovic, Go_a, Marco Mengoni, Anouk, Sam Ryder & Slimane to name a few.
My name is Effie Shoham-Hazon and I have been a Eurovision fan since 1973 when I was a little boy of seven, this is the first year that my country Israel took the honourable fourth place with the singer Ilanit singing "Ey Sham". It turns out that the two decades since Israel's first participation were successful in Eurovision and later Israel is considered one of the most successful countries in Eurovision. Back in 1973, I will never forget that Eurovision, I saw it on black and white TV how Luxembourg wins with one of the greatest hits of all times, “Tu te reconnaîtras sung by the amazing Ann-Marie David, Wow! I still carry the single of that song on a gramophone! When the Eurovision season comes I always carry the same feelings of patriotism, excitement, curiosity of the songs that are revealed, in the past it was about two weeks or so before the date of the contest, there were hardly any reports in the daily newspaper, everything was mysterious and unknown, the songs of the competing countries, the costumes, the orchestra, the stage, the guidance.. all under one veil of glittering competition. Nothing has changed, the same butterflies in the stomach. Being a father to two boys aged eleven and nine already conveys to them my feelings and passion for the competition and this is easily perceived, they surprise me with their thoughts, diagnosis and taste for music, it is so fascinating to watch the competition with them, they are my full partners in a fascinating and exciting viewing. When I tell to non-fans about one of the things I love the most in the world, it is accompanied by so much emotion and passion that I really do not close my mouth talking and find myself constantly on the competition. The essence of the competition is a message of unity through music, a message that unites nations, communities, groups, individuals...everyone! I want all to leave the worries and tensions of their everyday lives for a huge event that unites people through music and lots of colors. My goal is to convey this message with the same passion and love for people and music. I still have a dream to fulfil, Be at the Eurovision show live. Today I live in Canada and despite the geographical distance from Europe I still follow the competition with piety, dedication and love, Only fans can understand this bug Thank you for taking the time to read my bio and my love for Eurovision. Much love to all.
I live in Iowa and have been following Eurovision since 2007, when I discovered Eurovision on YouTube. The first Grand Final I watched was in 2013, and have been a fan ever since. I enjoy following Eurovision artists on the Billboard charts (which I have been following since American Top 40 was on the radio in the 1970’s.
My Name is Luís Coelho. I live in Portimão, Algarve, Portugal. I have been following Eurovision since I was born it seems, as I remember watching Eurovision with my mother as a child. Maybe because of her I have this love about everything that involves, this contest. I also love watching the Festival da Canção which is the national final for Portugal. My favourite years of Eurovision are 1993 and 1994, but 2017 was the biggest surprise for me because Portugal won for the 1st time. I manage the’ Portugal Eurovision Community’ and also the ‘Latin America Eurovision Community’ on behalf of the Portuguese speaking Eurovision fans.
My full name is Charis Charalambous, I was born in Cyprus - Limassol - but my origin is from Famagusta! I have a BA in Food and Beverage Management and a BA in Primary Education. I speak Greek, English, French and Russian. I write lyrics, read books, play billiards, bowling and volleyball in my spare time. I started watching the Eurovision Song Contest in 1988 since my family has an artistic streak (lyrics, singing, church, painting) and they introduced me to it. I dreamed of somehow participating in the Eurovision Song Contest but since I haven't succeeded yet, I've taken over the reins (presidency) of INFE CYPRUS , the international Eurovision fun club in Cyprus since 2020! My main goal is to help somehow Cyprus to have the first victory in the Competition and of course more people in Cyprus to know and love Eurovision! Because music is for everyone! I have now given the pleasure of co-chairing the Cyprus Eurovision Community with my friend Ian Hollins and our common goal is to share our love for the Eurovision Song Contest throughout Cyprus but also to make people all over the world to get to know better the Cypriot music.
Davor is the first manager for the Croatian community. He lives in Osijek, a city in Croatia. His love for Eurovision began in 1994 when Croatia was represented by Toni Centinski with the song Nek' ti bude ljubav sva. He has been a big fan of the competition ever since. His favorite Croatian representatives at Eurovision are Maja Blagdan (1996) with the song Sveta Ljubav, Doris Dragović (1999) with the song Marija Magdalena, Jaques Houdek (2017) with the song My Friend and Baby Lasagna (2024) with the song Rim Tim Tagi Dim. He speaks several languages in addition to English, namely German and Spanish. The French language is a little weaker. He learned languages mostly by watching movies, series and taking exams in language schools. He graduated from two faculties, law and economics. He works as an accounting manager.
Martin is one of our two community managers for the Danish group. He lives in the Danish capital Copenhagen that has hosted Eurovision no less than three times. His love for Eurovision started in 1982 when German Nicole won with her song ´Ein bißchen Friede´. Since then, he has been a huge fan of the contest. His favourite Danish entries are ´Dansevise´ by Grethe og Jørgen Ingmann and especially ´Fra Mols til Skagen´by Aud Wilken. Martin works as a language consultant and teaches a variety of different subjects combined with German and Danish. He defines himself as a language nerd or linguaphile. He is bilingual in German and Danish and states that his interest in other languages stems back from the time when the respective countries participating in the contest were obliged to sing in their national language(s)
Tina is one of the two managers for the Danish Community. Tina lives in a small town called Korsør, which is located right by what is said to be the world’s 3rd longest suspension bridge, the Great Belt Bridge. Tina has been a fan of Eurovision since she could barely walk and has been doing Eurovision quizzes for friends and family for many years. One of Tina’s favorite Eurovision songs is Alexander Rybak’s “Fairytale”, which has made her and her daughter travel a lot to Norway for concerts, where they have become part of his very well-functioning fan group. In addition, Tina and her daughter have been fans of Il Volo from Italy since 2011. It was a big moment when the 3 talented boys won The Festival of Sanremo in 2015 and represented Italy at Eurovision. Back then, Tina and her daughter were press accredited and got to meet many of the amazing contestants and became close to Il Volo. Since then, Tina and her daughter have travelled around Europe to concerts with Il Volo at least once a year. On a daily basis, Tina works as a specialist at a museum that sheds light on the conditions for people with disabilities in the past.
I'm Tuija Tervo, I live in Kuopio.I've been a Eurovision fan since 2011 and besides Christmas, Eurovision is another highlight of the year for me. I also like animals, nature and drawing.
Born in Canada but raised in Liverpool, Michelle-Louise has been a Eurovision fan since the tender age of eight when she tuned in accidentally and saw the contest on television. Her earliest Eurovision experience is Black Lace with “Mary Ann” and the first time she watched the contest in full was the following year. A former model and a veteran of seeing no less than ten Eurovisions in the flesh, her enthusiasm for Eurovision has never dimmed. Of Swiss descent, fluent in six languages, and vastly experienced in managing people and groups, she is the ideal contact person for both the North America and Switzerland Eurovision Communities. Outside of Eurovision, her passions range from her family, to learning foreign languages, to Liverpool Football Club.
Hello! My name is Shaun, I’m from Weston-super-Mare. I’ve been a huge Eurovision fan since I was a young child and finally got to attend my first contest in Liverpool last year. I’m currently studying to become a BSL teacher, and have recently started a new job at a community radio station. I also run various business ventures; including musical recording and performance, and dating/relationships for neuro-divergents. It’s a privilege to be part of the management team for the United Kingdom Eurovision Community! Any questions you have, or support you may need, I’m always available and very approachable.
Mikle D. (Mike) Ledgerwood has been called a “Professor of Eurovision” and has been interviewed and presented at professional conferences on ESC. He first became acquainted with the competition in France in 1979 while teaching English in Nice and became reintroduced to it in 2010 by an impresario friend from the UK and South Africa. He attended the 2019 contest in Tel Aviv, Israel and has hosted and sung in homage concerts at his previous University. And would he love to go back to Eurovision in any capacity? One word: YES!
I've been a Eurovision fan since 2012. I was visiting my family in Düsseldorf during a spring break from university studies when I first heard of ESC. My favourite entries are "We Could Be The Same" by maNga and "We Belong" by Kathy Kirby. I enjoy the contest as it brings artists I would never have heard of here in the USA. It's also a great way to collaborate with other social clubs for watch parties and share moments. Other things I enjoy are playing board games like Catan or going to the cinema. These are great ways to connect with others
I live in Southern California and, while I’ve known about Eurovision for several years, I’ve been an active fan since 2012 when Loreen first won.
