Eurovision Song Contest has fans from all over the world. We come in all ages, colors, religions, nationalities, sizes and shapes. None of us are the same, but we all have our passion for Eurovision Song Contest in common.  

As everywhere else in the world, there are some people who are just this tiny little bit more special than the rest, and the most unique person in this world of ours, that we call the Euroverse, was without a doubt Oma Ella.

Last night, at just before 19.00, her family posted this message on her facebook page;
“The last journey has begun. She is surrounded by all her loved ones from Amberg, Altenburg and Berlin, we will not leave our beloved grandma alone. She is still fighting, but Dr. Igor Mikhalchuk, who we thank from our hearts, says there is no hope anymore. At this time we would like to thank you all for the prayers, well wishes, meditations, lighted candles and messages of love. They bring comfort during this difficult time. All of you and your compassion is overwhelming. Remember her smile and wish Grandma Ella a quiet peaceful final journey. We are with her.” (Translated by me…)

Just a short time after this message had been posted, we recieved the news of her passing.

Oma Ella’s real name was Eleonore Maria Theresia Kastner. But everybody called her Oma Ella, which means Grandma Ella. She was born on January 7th, 1910, so only three short weeks ago she celebrated her 105th birthday. And what a celebration it was! Some of her favorite Eurovision singers, among them her good friend Eldar Gasimov, came to share the big day with her.

All the artists who performed during Oma Ella’s 105th birthday party!
Photo from Oma Ella’s facebook page.

Oma Ella followed Eurovision Song Contest from the very start; first on the radio, and then, after she got her first TV, she watched her favorite show on the screen. Her first live Eurovision was in 2011 in her home country, Germany, and since then she has come every year, with fan accreditation. She told me, when I talked to her in Copenhagen, that she finds it a lot better watching the contest in the arena instead of on TV.

Her greatest moment in Eurovision was meeting Buranovskiye Babushki in Baku in 2012. And even at 104, when her favorite song was played in Euroclub in Copenhagen, she joined us on the dance floor! I will never forget dancing with her to “Party for Everybody”!

Oma Ella and I, just after the dance!
She told me later she wasn’t too happy with this picture, because she had her eyes closed!

Upon leaving what was to be her last Eurovision, she shared this with her friends on facebook; “Thank you Eurovision, thank you Copenhagen, thank you Denmark now I leave back to Germany via Sweden. Hope to join 2015 in Austria (I am already invited) if I am healthy enough and still alive. Thanks to all FB friends for your friendly comments and likes and special thanks to my beloved relatives who join with me and take care always my exciting journeys.”

For all of us who have fond memories of Oma Ella, there is now a book of condolence on facebook, where everyone is welcome to leave a final message.

Photo from Kondolenzbuch Oma Ella on facebook.

Oma Ella; Rest in Peace.