The Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) is an annual music spectacle that focuses on diversity. In its beginnings, however, the ESC wasn't that diverse, but - at least in terms of composition and lyrics - almost completely dominated by men. It is all the more remarkable that the very first entry in this long-lasting competition was written by a woman: the Dutch poet, journalist and children's book author Annie M. G. Schmidt wrote the lyrics for De Vogels van Holland, with which singer Jetty Paerl opened the competition in Lugano in 1956. However, it is thanks to her literary work that Schmidt has become a legend in the Netherlands.
A woman with a mind of her own
Annie M. G. Schmidt was born in the Netherlands in 1911 and grew up at a time when women had little say in literature and entertainment. Thanks to the encouragement of her mother, who taught her to read and write at a very early age, she quickly developed an impressive writing talent, which she used to mentally escape from everyday life, because she had to wear strong glasses from a very early age and was often teased because of it. During the war she worked as a librarian in Middelburg and showed courage when she refused to put up the Nazi-ordered sign “Forbidden for Jews” in the reading room. After the war, she began working as a journalist for the daily newspaper “Het Parool” and did cabaret with some colleagues.
Breakthrough with children's books
However, Schmidt became one of the best-known and most popular writers in the Netherlands through her children's books. Her first work, “Het Fluitketeltje” (The Flute Kettle), was published in 1950, and the children’s books “Minnie”, “Jip and Janneke”, “Wiplala” and “Abeltje” could also be found in many British children's libraries at the time. But Schmidt was a multi-talent and at the same time also wrote poems, plays and song lyrics that are still an integral part of Dutch culture today - including the aforementioned “De Vogels van Holland”. Schmidt is also the first author who dared to have a homosexual appear in the script of a Dutch radio soap.
De vogels van Holland zijn zo muzikaal Ze willen in hun prille jeugd al tierelieren
Lyrics with a deeper meaning
The first Dutch contribution in the history of the ESC is a testament to Schmidt's remarkable talent as a writer, who creates powerful images in the mind with just a few words. Because what at first glance seems like a innocent anthem to the singing talent of the birds of Holland can be read as a metaphor for the freedom regained after the horrors of war, filling the hearts of people (and birds ) with jubilation and joy. In this respect, Annie M. G. Schmidt's text lays the foundation for the unifying function of the Eurovision Song Contest, because the birds of Holland (and many other countries too) continue to sing their song of freedom to this day.
Role model for women
With her tireless work and success, Annie M. G. Schmidt became an inspiration to many women who wanted to gain a foothold in a male-dominated cultural scene. Her work has been showered with awards, including the State Prize for Children's Literature. In addition, her works were included in the official teaching canon in the Netherlands and are still read in school today. In 1988 she received the Hans Christian Andersen Prize from Astrid Lindgren, which is considered the Nobel Prize for children's literature. Schmidt encouraged many women to use their creative talents and make their voices heard in a world often dominated by men.
Self-determined until death
After holding her severely depressed husband's hand until the end in 1981 when he committed suicide with sleeping pills, she made the decision to depart this life in a self-determined manner. When she gradually lost her eyesight due to macular degeneration and was no longer able to pursue her favorite pastimes of reading and solving crossword puzzles, she decided to commit suicide in 1995, one day after her 84th birthday. In doing so, she initiated a discussion about euthanasia in Dutch society.
The first Dutch ESC entry, for which Annie M. G. Schmidt wrote the lyrics, may often be overlooked in the history of the competition, but it marks a significant moment in the history of female writers at the Eurovision Song Contest. Annie M. G. Schmidt was a pioneer who showed that women were capable of changing the world of music with their words, and she will forever be remembered as a role model and inspiration.