Whodunit Wednesday: Joost Klein’s “Europapa”

Today is a holiday in Belgium, but not in the Netherlands. In Belgium `9and Germany) they celebrate May 1 as “Labor Day”. This is for these countries a day to celebrate workers and to enjoy the Spring weather, if it has come. The Netherlands doesn’t have this tradition, so in our area, the roads going into Maastricht are full of Belgian and German cars looking to shop (since the stores in Belgium and Germany are closed). Europe may have no internal borders, but various differences remain.

Around this same time (middel of May) the Eurovisie Songfestival shows up on tv and in the news. Most people can remember how ABBA became a household name and a mega group after winning this competition with the song “Waterloo” back in the 1970’s. It became so popular and the Europe ended up having so many more countries that the competition had to be split up and not every country gets to partake every year. 

This year the Dutch contribution is considered a real contender to win. Joost Klein sings in many languages about “Europapa”. That he sings in various languages is already unique. In some of the beginning years countries were required to present their song in their native language (otherwise there were too many languages in English). This rule was finally completely abolished in 1999. So now any country causing in whatever language they wish. Klein’s song is unique in that it uses many of the various languages of Europe, while poking fun at them as well. 

While many will hear the conglomeration of languages and images as a reference to Europe, the song is also about Klein’s father. So “Europapa” refers to his European “papa” or father. Klein lost his parents when he was young. If Klein wins with his song, the Netherlands will be the hosting country for the contest next year. This year the contest is being held in Sweden who has won the contest 7 times, as has Ireland. The winner from last year is the only female singer to have won twice (she also won in 2012). 

The contest has always been s how of extremes, including the costumes that are worn. Joost Klein will perform in a blue suit (the flag of Europe is blue with yellow stars) and will be flanked by two men - one dressed as a blue bird, the other as a yellow bird. 

Where oh where Wednesday: Waterloo

"Waterloo, I was defeated, you won the war. Waterloo, promise to love you forevermore. Waterloo, couldn’t escape if I wanted to. Waterloo, knowing my fate is to be with you. Woah, woah, woah, woah, Waterloo, finally facing my Waterloo."

We can all hear the music as we read the words. It was the song that won ABAA the Eurovision Song Festival and catapulted them into international attention. Interesting that a song about an epic defeat became their victory. It was definitely not their “Waterloo”. 

We still use this term for all sorts of situations. As in the song, if you have to face your Waterloo, you must face the fact that you are finally and ultimately going to be defeated (ro you will finally give in). This one battle, and one could make the argument that it is because of the song, has entered our collective vocabulary. Many will understand immediately what you mean if you talk about your Waterloo. 

But do people know anything about Waterloo? It is after all a real place. It was a real historical event. As the new film on Napoleon comes out, perhaps the interest for this place will peak once again. But it has been here all the time. 

Waterloo was, at the time of the battle for which anyone remembers the place, a town in the United Kingdom of The Netherlands. It is actually in Belgium - now. Remember, Belgium did not become a recognized country until 1839 and the battle of Waterloo took place in 1815. This was a battle of coalition forces where the armies of the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, together with three others clashed with Napoleon until the Prussian forces, who were allied with the others against Napoleon, also arrived and put an end to Napoleon. 

The battlefield was at the crossing of two major roads. It is less than 10 kilometers from Brussels and just outside of the village of Waterloo. Tourism began the day after the battle, it seems. Bodies and remains were found for years afterwards. Today there is a great mound with a statue of a lion at the top and groups stage a re-enactment of the battle regularly. 

The town of Waterloo itself has a population of less than 30,000. It is just south of the language border, lying in the French-speaking area of Wallonia. The name of the town is, however, from the Dutch language and is a combination of “water” and “loo” (which means clearing in a forest). 

In the nearby town of Braine-l’Alleud is the only major disc golf course, where the Belgian Open is played and anyone can meet their own personal Waterloo. I learned disc golf years ago (before the millennium) from good friends in the church in Minnesota and have continued to play whenever I can. I have set up a small course at our Bible camp. But I have yet to visit the course near Waterloo.