Boris from Belgium contributes a number of hot takes, jokes, and illuminating editorials and exposé pieces to the site. He is one of the most active members in our Discord server, and is often known for facilitating hearty conversation with our members throughout various threads. Currently, Boris serves as our correspondent for any news out of Belgium or Bulgaria.
Tell me about your first Eurovision memory?
The news that Dana International would participate in Eurovision. I was seven and the *concept* of a trans person baffled me at the time, because I couldn’t believe it she started as biologically male <3 My first full contest Eurovision came when I was ten however, in 2000. Watched that year in full and it converted me to the dark side ever since ^_^
What’s your favourite Eurovision song?
My #1 from my first full year – “My star” by Brainstorm (Latvia 2000). And “Sebi”, of course.
What are some of your favourite musicians outside of Eurovision?
Kate Bush is a goddess who can do no wrong, and “Wuthering Heights” is my favourite song of all times. (this in contrast to the book which sucks.) I really enjoy the works of Alphabeat, Bastille, Lykke Li, and TheWeeknd and (in an ironic sense) Taylor Swift.
Dialling further back, I’m a hound for 80s/90s SynthWave, so A-Ha, Nick Kershaw, Pet Shop Boys, Matia Bazar, Depeche Mode, or really ANYONE with a penchant for releasing such tracks is going to wind up on my playlist.
As far as artists in my native language are concerned, I’d highly recommend Eefje de Visser, BAZART and MEROL.
From the artists that DID Eurovision but whose music I listen to outside of ESC: Aside from the ubiquitous Céline Dion and ABBA, was a massive fan of Matia Bazar’s “Ti Sento” and One More Time’s “Highland” before I knew either did Eurovision.
What about your favourite food?
Anything Chinese wets my appetite (specifically Crispy Peking Duck), but I’m more than partial to a good Steak (with either Béarnaise or Mushroom sauce) and Moules-Frites. Ideally with a glass of craft cider.
Other food heavens include prawns, squid, salmon, chickpeas, pomegranates, pistachio nuts and sushi. My preferred dinner spices are cumin and tarragon.
Do you have a favourite place to visit?
I like visiting animal parks and zoos, which helps me soothe my anxiety. I love animals (and have a significant interest in their biology) and seeing them always cheers me up. Also the Irish Pub because that’s the best place to get drunk on cider.
Besides doing work for ESCUnited, how do you spend your free time?
Drinking and avoiding children- just kidding.
I’m a massive gamer and when I’m not ranking ESC I’m usually either playing a game or theory-crafting ways to improve it. I’m also a frequent cook and make great pasta sauces and potato salads. Most of my days I spend reading articles or watching videos on anything concerning linguistics, history or biology as those are my three biggest interests besides gaming.
Tell us one interesting fact about yourself?
My college once featured me on folders for the Teacher Training Programme, for reasons I’ve never been able to determine.
I thought those were supposed to attract people, not repel them…