Call it a much-needed break from a world burdened by economic crises and exploding oil rigs: Through the gloom of globalization, the daily grind and the persistent, palpable uncertainties that define life in the 21st century came a burst of sunshine - named Lena.

A national mission

In recent years, German contestants have been no stranger to the bottom tier at Europe's top song competition. German viewers were more inclined to poke fun at the event than tune in. Facing a downward spiral, the powers that be at public broadcaster ARD - Germany's Eurovision broadcaster - knew they had one big chance to turn things around.

In what seemed like a last-ditch effort, or an act of desperation, the station teamed up with private channel ProSieben to put Germany's contestant for this year's competition on air.

Luck was on their side: Popular German television personality Stefan Raab - who shares a well-documented love of music - took on the role as head judge in the preliminary talent search for 2010.

In another stroke of good fortune, Raab proved to the competition at Germany's most popular casting show "DSDS" that this kind of contest could be done - and done well - without humiliating the contestants along the way.

It's the singer, not the song

Out of 4,500 aspiring competitors who applied to appear on the multi-part series "Our Star for Oslo," 10 made it through. But it was clear from the very start that Lena Meyer-Landrut had something that no other contestant had.

As Stefan Raab put it, "When she gets on stage, everything blossoms."

Technical perfection wasn't what counted in the preliminary competition. Several of Lena's competitors were more polished singers, but Lena's charisma and contagious feel-good persona were one-of-a-kind.

Her song for Oslo, "Satellite," was a catchy but run-of-the mill piece of pop music. It was the singer, not the song, that made the difference: Lena's performance got people to take a closer listen.

Breaking the rules

Over the years, the Eurovision Song Contest has created a parallel universe of kitsch and pomp. The world's biggest TV event, it features over-the-top performances, tacky costumes and songs that might be unbearable to anyone who lacks a secret fondness for bad music. Lena's decision to opt out of the gaudy spectacle was a wise one - but it would only work for someone with her special charm.

Where others relied on pyrotechnics and LED outfits, Lena took the stage as Lena, pure and simple. Since February, she's weathered the media circus, completed her school-leaving exams and recorded her first album, but Lena still comes through as authentic - and anything but routine. With a deliberate non-marketing strategy, she won over Germany - and then the rest of Europe.

A little Lena in everyone

Little is known about Lena's personal life, and the singer is kept away from tabloid media - and that's what makes her so relatable. She's confident, young, cheeky - a bit zany - but ambitious: Who wouldn't want to be the very same way? We've had enough of empty promises, media fabrications and artificial emotions.

Let's just enjoy the moment and be glad the Lena phenomenon has bridged a generation gap, challenged the superstar top-model mold - and of course, that because of her, Germany will have the honor of hosting next year's Eurovision Song Contest.

Matthias Klaus is a music editor at Deutsche Welle. (arp)
Editor: Kate Bowen