It’s Eurovision weekend! Long ago, the nations of Europe decided to stop holding wars and instead sort out their differences via an annual pop music throwdown. I don’t know if you’ve heard of it in Asia or the Americas, but it’s huge in Europe, and its once-cult following here in Australia has gone so mainstream that they’ve even let us enter in 2015.

One of this year’s early favourites was Finnish punk band Pertti Kurikan Nimipaivat (PKN), whose members all have learning difficulties, namely autism or Down’s syndrome. They sing about the obstacles disabled people face. I know this because I read it on the internet.

Sadly, the bookies were wrong, and all 85 seconds of their song Aina Mun Pitaa (I Always Have To) were not enough to get them through to tonight’s final round in Vienna.

Luckily for them, their nation’s post office had already issued a stamp sheetlet to celebrate them getting as far as they did. So while they missed out being Eurovision champions, they can console themselves knowing that they have earned the far bigger accolade of being the subjects of Punk Philatelist’s Stamp Of The Day!

The figures of the band at the top right were drawn by guitarist Pertti Kurikka, and his effusive excitement just bursts off Posti’s PR page:

“It’s not bad, is it, getting your own stamp,” says guitarist Pertti Kurikka, summing up the band’s feelings.

Several countries have issued Eurovision stamps in the past, but special mention must go to… Finland again! In 2007 it marked its hosting of the event with an issue celebrating some of its previous entrants, including, of course, Lordi, the awesome glam horror metal band who had won it for Finland the previous year. Most of the featured acts didn’t win, so PKN is in good company.

I can’t help wondering if Finland needs to get itself a better class of notables to put on its stamps, but nonetheless, congratulations to PKN and Posti. I’ll be watching Saturday night’s final, ready to dial in my vote and, for the first time, have a say in the winner. Oh wait, no I won’t, it’s on at 5am here and I have both a life, and musical taste. Like this site? Please link, share, like, and help spread the love! I’m on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Tumblr. x

© Philatelic product images remain the copyright of issuing postal administrations and successor authorities