Marion Rung’s stage outfit and winning prize

The versatile singer and entertainer Marion Rung (b. 1945) began her singing career in the 1960s. Rung has also enjoyed success in international song contests. During the Cold War, there were two competing broadcasting unions in Europe: the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) in the West and the International Radio and Television Organisation (OIRT) in the Eastern Bloc. Neutral Finland was the only country that was a full member of both unions and participated in their song contests. Rung represented Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest in Luxembourg in 1973 with the song Tom Tom Tom.

Many of Marion Rung’s stage outfits were designed and made by Anne Serner-Manninen. A brown and orange woollen dress was made for the 1973 contest. Rung was also involved in its design. The dress was embellished with orange ribbon that was sewn on diagonally to form a spiral pattern. The flower patterns cut into the long, baggy sleeves were highlighted with the same ribbon. Although Rung had the challenging task of being the first to sing and faced technical problems during her performance, she still managed to place sixth in the competition.

In addition to the Eurovision Song Contest, Rung participated twice in the Eastern European Intervision Song Contest. She won the 1980 Intervision contest in Sopot, Poland, with her emotional ballad Hyvästi yö – Where is the Love. Rung says: “Even before I went on stage, I had a feeling that I would win. You must always walk out there as a winner. Always.” The prize medallion has an oval-shaped amber inlay that is polished smooth on the front. The inlay features the Intervision Song Contest’s bird logo. The eye of the bird is made of amber. The top of the inlay bears the text SOPOT 80. The medallion has a leather cord.