The Modern Fairy Tale

Nation Branding, National Identity and the Eurovision Song Contest in Estonia

by Paul Jordan

Book cover: The Modern Fairy Tale

Extent: 150 pages

Publisher: University of Tartu Press

Subjects: Cultural Studies, Social Sciences 

Series: Politics and Society in the Baltic Sea Region

Series volume number: 2

Language: English

Paperback (Published)

(December 2014)

ISBN: 9789949325580

Price: $35.00

Out of stock

This book provides a unique and intriguing insight into current debates concerning the relationship between nation and state as well as the political management of international image in today’s Europe through an examination of debates on nation branding and the Eurovision Song Contest. Europe is a contested construct and its boundaries are subject to redefinition. This work aims to advance critical thinking about contemporary nation branding and its relationship to, and influence on, nation building. In particular it focusses on key identity debates that the Eurovision Song Contest engendered in Estonia in the run-up to EU accession. The Eurovision Song Contest is an event which is often dismissed as musically and culturally inferior. However, this work demonstrates that it has the capacity to shed light on key identity debates and illuminate wider socio-political issues. Using a series of in-depth interviews with political elites, media professionals and opinion leaders, this book is a valuable contribution to the growing field of research on nation branding and the Eurovision Song Contest.

  • By (author) Paul Jordan