Eurovision

The Eurovision

I think everyone knows about Eurovision, a music festival with great performances—sometimes weird performances—that unites Europe and some other countries outside of Europe. Actually, it is the longest-running international music competition on TV, first held in 1956 in Switzerland. Can you imagine this?

For those new to the phenomenon, let me explain it to you: each participating country selects an artist and a song, often through a national contest, by mid-March. Then, in May, the competition proceeds with two semi-finals leading to the Grand Final. Every year is the same, but not always in the same country; it’s in the country that won the contest the year before.

It is a great competition because we can get to know incredible artists, like, the winners of 2021, Måneskin, who became a successful and famous band internationally!

So, it is very cool for us viewers who get to know new artists, but also for artists to start their careers.

The „Big Five“

An interesting fact about Eurovision is the existence of the „Big Five“ countries: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom. These nations are the contest’s largest financial contributors and automatically qualify for the Grand Final each year.

Fan Culture

Eurovision fan culture is as colorful and diverse as the performances themselves. From extravagant parties and fan clubs across the globe to the memes, fan art, and covers that flood social media, Eurovision fans create a vibrant, inclusive community. And it’s great to see how “just” a music festival can bring so many different people together. It’s one of my favorite times of the year because I love to see all the memes and all the stories behind every song of every country being talked about on social media. It’s really fun! I was even thinking of watching this year’s Grand Finale in some club.

The Voting System

Voting in Eurovision is made by jury assessment and public votes, which always creates some suspense and engagement. After all performances, viewers from participating countries can vote for their favorites—except for their own country. This combination of jury and public votes decides the ultimate winner.

In sum, Eurovision is much more than a music contest. It’s a celebration of culture, diversity, and unity, and I love to see it every year!

Calendar

Tuesday 7 May – 21:00 CEST
Eurovision Song Contest, First Semi-Final live, from Malmö, Sweden

Thursday 9 May – 21:00 CEST
 Eurovision Song Contest, Second Semi-Final, live from Malmö, Sweden

Saturday 11 May – 21:00 CEST
Eurovision Song Contest, Grand Final live, from Malmö, Sweden 

You can watch all the shows in the Official Eurovision YouTube channel