Marcin Bogucki: Poland and Eurovision: Three Cases of Nation Branding

Poland debuted at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1994 alongside seven other countries from Central and Eastern Europe. In my talk, I will focus on the topic of nation branding and analyze how Poland has attempted to craft its image on a global stage, concentrating on three distinct strategies. I will examine one song from each decade: the ballad by Edyta Górniak from 1994, which can be interpreted as a symbol of Polish aspirations; the peace anthem by Ich Troje from 2003, performed just before Poland's accession to the European Union; and the overtly erotic, folk inspired song by Cleo and Donatan from 2014, set against the backdrop of the European community's crisis.