Every so often we find a performer that grabs attention for reasons other than their song. We’ve had Lordi, Verka Serduchka, Buranovskiye Babushki and Conchita Wurst in recent years, and some others have tried but fallen at the national final stage. This year, Malta might just be the country to grab headlines with their artist; one of the more surprising and talked-about artists in the Maltese national final this year are a group of nuns known as Ekklesia Sisters. But who are these sisters, and why on Earth would they want to take part in Eurovision?
A quick glance at their newly-created Facebook page does not show too many surprises; the group post Bible passages and spread the message of positivity and love. But still little is made of why a group like this would want to take part in a singing competition like Eurovision. Perhaps they are taking inspiration from the previous instance of a religious group taking part – Switzerland’s Takasa in 2013 made up of Salvation Army members – and aim to spread their message of love and tolerance across the continent. Judging from the reaction to Conchita Wurst’s win and the bad news we are constantly exposed to the sisters might be what we need for Eurovision.
Or perhaps, and possibly more likely, they have seen the success of the recent phenomenon from The Voice of Italy, Suor Cristina Scuccia, and want to replicate that success on the Eurovision stage? Something tells me that these sisters would be less likely to move into RnB, however.
Up until now, it seems that the sisters may be a specially created group for the Maltese national final which is set to cause a stir if chosen. As has been shown on many occasions, people do not like Eurovision and politics or religion mixing. But until the national final on 21st November, we won’t know what kind of effect the ecclesiastic sisters would have on the contest. One thing is for certain though – Eurovision 2015 already has its first major talking point. Whether they will be present in Vienna is another matter.
