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The modern logo was introduced for the 2004 Contest to create a consistent visual identity. The host country's flag appears in the heart.

Origins

Format

Participation

.The "European Broadcasting Area" is bounded on the west by the western boundary of Region 1 (see below), on the east by the meridian 40° East of Greenwich and on the south by the parallel 30° North so as to include the western part of the USSR, the northern part of Saudi Arabia and that part of those countries bordering the Mediterranean within these limits.^ Other countries that have shown interest in taking part in the event include the likes of Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein, Slovakia, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Syria and even Iraq!!!

• ASIAN MISSION TO EUROVISION! 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC asian-mission-to-eurovision.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^ These texts are about LIMITING women, tATu are about FREEING women, laughing in the faces of all those people who STILL try to limit women with such preposterous rules.

• Reality Show with t.A.T.u.! - General Thread. [Archive] - Unofficial forum of group TATU 25 September 2009 1:55 UTC forum.tatysite.net [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ Moreover, 4 cameras will be placed outside facing North, West, East, and South.

• Reality Show with t.A.T.u.! - General Thread. [Archive] - Unofficial forum of group TATU 25 September 2009 1:55 UTC forum.tatysite.net [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

In addition, Iraq, Jordan and that part of the territory of Turkey lying outside the above limits are included in the European Broadcasting Area.

Participation since 1956:      Entered at least once      Never entered, although eligible to do so      Entry intended, but later withdrew

Year	Country making its début entry
1956	Belgium,  France,  Germanya,  Italy,  Luxembourg,  Netherlands,  Switzerland
1957	Austria,  Denmark,  United Kingdom
1958	Sweden
1959	Monaco
1960	Norway
1961	Finland,  Spain,  Yugoslaviab
1964	Portugal
1965	Ireland
1971	Malta
1973	Israel
1974	Greece
1975	Turkey
1980	Morocco
1981	Cyprus
1986	Iceland
1993	Bosnia and Herzegovina,  Croatia,  Slovenia
1994	Estonia,  Hungary,  Lithuania,  Poland,  Romania,  Russia,  Slovakia
1998	Macedonia
2000	Latvia
2003	Ukraine
2004	Albania,  Andorra,  Belarus,  Serbia and Montenegro
2005	Bulgaria,  Moldova
2006	Armenia
2007	Czech Republic,  Georgia,  Montenegro,  Serbia
2008	Azerbaijan,  San Marino

a) Before German reunification in 1990 occasionally presented as West Germany, representing the Federal Republic of Germany. East Germany (the German Democratic Republic) did not compete.

b) The entries presented as being from "Yugoslavia" represented the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, except for the 1992 entry, which represented the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. .Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia dissolved in 1991/1992 into five independent states: Slovenia, Croatia, Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.^ N/A: not applicable (country cannot vote for itself), BH: Bosnia and Herzegovina, HR: Croatia, SL: Slovenia, GR: Greece, CY: Cyprus, RO: Romania, AL: Albania, MK: Macedonia, CS: Serbia and Montenegro, bloc total: total votes from Balkan Bloc, other total: total votes from all other countries, total: overall total in contest.

• Derek Gatherer: Comparison of Eurovision Song Contest Simulation with Actual Results Reveals Shifting Patterns of Collusive Voting Alliances. 15 September 2009 21:46 UTC jasss.soc.surrey.ac.uk [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ I was surprised a little by the results; Turkey and Greece didn’t do as well as expected, and Bosnia and Herzegovina made it into the top 10.

• Eurovision 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC languages.oberlin.edu [Source type: General]

^ In the 20th century, it was also the capital of several incarnations of Yugoslavia, up to 2006, when Serbia became an independent state again.

• The Eurovision Song Contest 2008 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.squidoo.com [Source type: General]

Federal Republic of Yugoslavia changed it's name to Serbia and Montenegro in 2003 and finally dissolved in 2006, making two separate states Serbia and Montenegro.

Selection procedures

Hosting

Globen, Stockholm: host of Eurovision 2000.

Eurovision Week

Rehearsals and press conferences

Estonia rehearsing at the 2006 Contest.

Switzerland hosting a press conference at Eurovision 2006.

Parties and Euroclub

Voting

Presentation of votes

Electronic scoreboard, as Johnny Logan announces the Irish votes in 2004.

Ties for first place

Rules

Hosting

• 1960—hosted by the BBC in London when the Netherlands declined due to expense. .The UK was chosen to host because it had come second in 1959.^[47]
• 1963—hosted by the BBC in London when France declined due to expense.^ I say suprisingly because, so much great music does come from the UK and it saddens me to see the UK group put on such an aweful performance.
  • Eurovision Song-Contest? - Debates & Discussions - Opera Community 27 January 2010 23:51 UTC my.opera.com [Source type: General]
  
  .Although the UK had only come fourth in 1962, Monaco and Luxembourg (who came second and third) had also declined.^ Who can remember that really fit bird who came second or third, Ukraine I think it was?
  • Eurovision is 'rubbish', Terry Wogan tells European broadcasters | Media | guardian.co.uk 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.guardian.co.uk [Source type: News]
  
  ^ Dima was the hunk who took the honorable second place, conceding only to Finland, with a remarkable stage performance of his songNever Let You Go.
  • Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]
  
  ^[47]
.
• 1972—hosted by the BBC in Edinburgh when Monaco was unable to provide a suitable venue: Monegasque television invited the BBC to take over due to its previous experience.^ This means we could see Australian participation in the first contest due in November 2009 - provided one of the Australian networks agrees to take part.
  • The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]
  
  ^[47]
• 1974—hosted by the BBC in Brighton when Luxembourg declined due to expense. The BBC was becoming known as the host by default, if the winning country declined.^[19]
.
• 1980—hosted by NOS in The Hague when the Israel Broadcasting Authority declined due to expense, and the fact that the date chosen for the Contest (19 April) was Israel's Remembrance Day that year.^ The band has been chosen as the Finnish representative in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 and their third album Myrskyntuoja is to be released in Finland on March 19.
  • Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]
  
  ^ The day of the recording of the Grand Final, May 16, is the date when her mother died and for many years Patricia stayed true to her promise never perform on this day.
  • The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]
  
  ^ At the first Icelandic press conference singer Johanna first had to explain why she had chosen of the previous year’s Icelandic Eurovision contestants as a backing singer listen .
  • The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]
  
  .The Dutch offered to host the Contest after several other broadcasters (including the BBC) were unwilling to do so.^ Dot Eurovision ESC Today BBC Eurovision Page (2006) Eurovision Song Contest Official Site YLE - Finnish Broadcasters hosting the 2007 ESC Blog Archive .
  • ASIAN MISSION TO EUROVISION! 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC asian-mission-to-eurovision.blogspot.com [Source type: General]
  
  ^[47]

Live music

Language

Broadcasting

Political recognition issues

Other

• In the first Contest in 1956, there was a recommended time limit of 3½ minutes per song.^ It was on the 24th of May, 1956, that Europe saw the first ever Eurovision Song Contest.
  • Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]
  
  ^ Csézy will represent the Hungarian Television at the Eurovision Song Contest in Belgrade Enviat per DJ Cool-E a 08:42 0 comentaris Etiquetes de comentaris: Hungary .
  • Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]
  
  ^ The popular puppet will now go on to represent Ireland in the first Semi-Final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Belgrade on Tuesday 20th of May.
  • Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]
  
  ^[61] In 1957, despite protests, the Italian song was 5:09 minutes in duration. This led to a stricter time limit of 3 minutes precisely.^[62]
.
• There is no restriction imposed by the EBU on the nationality of the performers or songwriters.^ According to Florian KOHLER (Head of Delegation) there was no national finals in their homeland – the swiss broadcaster selected for the Lovebugs to represent Switzerland at the song contest.
  • The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]
  
  Individual broadcasters are, however, permitted to impose their own restrictions at their discretion.^[28]
.
• From 1957 to 1970 (in 1956 there was no restriction at all), only soloists and duos were allowed on stage.^ His Stage Show dispenses with all visual embellishments - no dancers, few background graphics, in fact few visual stimuli at all which leads to boring television.
  • The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]
  
  ^ I know the general opinion in English is that people there think the Eurovision is such a joke and only losers enjoy it, but they are making fools of themselves by putting in no effort at all!!
  • ASIAN MISSION TO EUROVISION! 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC asian-mission-to-eurovision.blogspot.com [Source type: General]
  
  From 1963, a chorus of up to three people was permitted. Since 1971, a maximum of six performers have been permitted on the stage.^[28]
.
• The performance and/or lyrics of a song "must not bring the Contest into disrepute".^[54]
• Since 1990, all people on stage must be at least 16 years of age.^ Iraq not in the Eurovision Song Contest after all .
  • The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]
  
  ^ She has been singing all of her life and first performed on stage at the age of seven.
  • Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]
  
  ^ It’s enough to give you a lot of energy.” At this year’s contest Adok presents the song ‘Dance with me’ in English.
  • The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]
  
  ^[54]

Expansion of the Contest

Further information: Participation in the Eurovision Song Contest

Regular participants in 1992. Yugoslavia is coloured in red: 1991 was the last year in which that nation participated under one name.

Regular participants in 1994. The addition of Central and Eastern European countries, and the separate ex-Yugoslavian states, makes a stark change from the participation map of 1992.

The number of countries participating each year has steadily grown over the course of the years, from seven participants in 1956 to over 20 in the late 1980s. .In 1993 there were 25 countries participating in the competition, including, for the first time that year, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Slovenia, entering independently due to the dissolution of Yugoslavia.^ In the unlikely event of a televoting problem there are always the backup juries standing by in all 42 participating countries.

• ASIAN MISSION TO EUROVISION! 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC asian-mission-to-eurovision.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^ She started singing very early, she was only 5 years old the first time she took part in a concert in her hometown.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^ A part of me would like one of next years specials to focus on the early years of the First Doctor, and have another one focus on the Eight Doctor and the Time War.

• Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news. 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.aintitcool.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^[63]

.Because the Contest is a live television programme, a reasonable time limit must be imposed on the duration of the show.^ The Eurovision Song Contest is one of the longest running television shows in the world.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^ Erichsen has previously criticised Wogan for not showing the contest enough respect, saying before last year's show: "Terry Wogan is a problem because he makes it look ridiculous.

• Eurovision is 'rubbish', Terry Wogan tells European broadcasters | Media | guardian.co.uk 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.guardian.co.uk [Source type: News]

^ Hundreds of Israel’s top songwriters and composers sent their best submissions to the national song contest which was broadcasted on prime time television on Israeli Channel 2.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

In recent years the nominal limit has been three hours, with the broadcast occasionally overrunning.^[33]

Pre-selections and relegation

.Since 1993, there have been more countries wishing to enter the Contest than there is time to reasonably include all their entries in a single TV show.^ In the unlikely event of a televoting problem there are always the backup juries standing by in all 42 participating countries.

• ASIAN MISSION TO EUROVISION! 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC asian-mission-to-eurovision.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^ It will be hard work, but if they pull it off, there will be a ton of footage on Tatu, a lot of pics, a new album and we will all know a lot more about Tatu than any other group out there.

• Reality Show with t.A.T.u.! - General Thread. [Archive] - Unofficial forum of group TATU 25 September 2009 1:55 UTC forum.tatysite.net [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ At the same time the “Idol”/”X-Factor” phenomenon has seen many countries opt to send new artists well known in their home country through TV reality shows.

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

Several relegation or qualification systems have, therefore, been tried in order to limit the number of countries participating in the competition in any given year. The 1993 Contest introduced two new features: firstly, a pre-selection competition was held in Ljubljana in which seven new countries fought for three places in the international competition. .Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Estonia, Hungary, Romania, Slovenia and Slovakia took part in Kvalifikacija za Millstreet; and the three former Yugoslav republics, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Slovenia, qualified for a place in the international final.^ Or goulash as it is to you, Irelande douze pointe Yes it’s Bulgaria we love you Belarus, Georgia, Montenegro, Moldova, Albania, Croatia, Poland, Russia, Ukraine, Macedonia, don’t forget Turkey, Hungary, Estonia, Slovakia, Armenia, Bosnia & Herzegovina and don’t forget the Swiss…..

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^ The local final took place in Budapest, and during the show 15 songs were performed.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^ Belarus FYR Macedonia Slovenia Hungary Georgia Latvia Serbia Bulgaria Turkey Moldova Looks like the final will be a real battle of the East and West!

• ASIAN MISSION TO EUROVISION! 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC asian-mission-to-eurovision.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^[64] Also to be introduced that year was relegation. .The lowest-placed countries in the 1993 score table were forced to skip the next year, in order to allow the countries which failed the 1993 pre-selection into the 1994 Contest.^ Today girls are happy to represent their country at the contest that they used to follow as fans for many years listen .

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

^ Less than a year ago Next Time was just an ordinary “garage band” which played cover versions of famous rock songs, and now they are representing their country at the most prestigious European song contest.

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

^ Nevertheless it is likely that Sweden will be allowed to take part in Moscow this year, which is great news because their actual entry is likely to be one of the strongest contendors in the contest.

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

.The 1994 Contest included also—for the first time—Lithuania, Poland and Russia.^ Her performance at the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest will be the first time when she will break this promise.

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

^ After a controversial final vote process (former Soviet Union Countries, Balkan countries and other neighbour countries voted between them), Russia won the Eurovision contest for the first time.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^ The contesters said that it is their first time in Moscow and they really enjoy it.

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

^[65]

.Relegation continued through 1994 and 1995;^[66] but in 1996 a different pre-selection system was used, in which nearly all the countries participated.^ In the unlikely event of a televoting problem there are always the backup juries standing by in all 42 participating countries.

• ASIAN MISSION TO EUROVISION! 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC asian-mission-to-eurovision.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^ Six different systems were used over the past decades to pick the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

.Audio tapes of all the songs were sent to juries in each of the countries some weeks before the television show.^ You score ten points if you solve the clue and identify the country during their performance, or the maximum twelve points if you can solve a clue before that country's song has begun.

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

^ His Stage Show dispenses with all visual embellishments - no dancers, few background graphics, in fact few visual stimuli at all which leads to boring television.

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

^ However the later half of last season contained some of the best eps of all, so let's compare notes again in a few weeks.

• Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news. 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.aintitcool.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

.These juries selected the songs which would then proceed to be included in the international broadcast.^ According to Florian KOHLER (Head of Delegation) there was no national finals in their homeland – the swiss broadcaster selected for the Lovebugs to represent Switzerland at the song contest.

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

^ There is no word from the organizers of the song contest, the European Broadcasting Union, as to whether a strip tease would fit in with their concept of family entertainment.

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

^ Listening to these songs really make you wonder how they made it to the international final.

• ASIAN MISSION TO EUROVISION! 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC asian-mission-to-eurovision.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^[67] .Norway, as the host country in 1996 (having won the 1995 Contest), automatically qualified and was therefore excluded from the necessity of going through the pre-selection.^ Alexander Ryback's Fairytale came true when Norway won the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest with the highest number of points in the contest's history.

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

^ Evdokia won the Cypriot national selection by a narrow margin, and will take her charismatic performance of Femme Fatale to the Eurovision Song Contest stage in Belgrade.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^ Also, the UK is the #1 music country in Europe, other countries have a chip on their shoulder about us, we've already won the real music contest hands down.

• Eurovision is 'rubbish', Terry Wogan tells European broadcasters | Media | guardian.co.uk 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.guardian.co.uk [Source type: News]

^{[citation needed]}

One country which failed to qualify in the 1996 pre-selection was Germany. .As one of the largest financial contributors to the EBU, their non-participation in the Contest brought about a funding issue, which the EBU would have to consider.^ Seventeen-year-old Christina is one of the youngest participants of the contest.

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

^ One of the members of the duo, the author of the song, participated in last year’s contest on behalf of Montenegro.

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

^ Eurovision.tv director Bjørn Erichsen has spoken about the plans EBU has to ensure the growth of the most popular musical TV show in Europe, The Eurovision Song Contest.

• ASIAN MISSION TO EUROVISION! 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC asian-mission-to-eurovision.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^[67]

Big Four

.Since 2000, the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Spain have automatically qualified for the Eurovision final, regardless of their positions on the scoreboard in previous Contests.^ The popular puppet will now go on to represent Ireland in the first Semi-Final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Belgrade on Tuesday 20th of May.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^ Martina is a real Eurovision cosmopolitan: this is her fourth contest, and although in previous years she was back singer and now she will take center stage.

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

^ In 2006 his duet with the famous Esma Redzepova won the second place at the Macedonian Eurovision Song Contest final.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^[33] .They earned this special status by being the four biggest financial contributors to the EBU (without which the production of the Eurovision Song Contest would not be possible).^ So they sang and recorded it, and off they went to Eurovision Song Contest.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^ Iraq not in the Eurovision Song Contest after all .

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

^ Eurovision Song Contest viewers, be prepared!

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

Due to their untouchable status, these countries became known as the "Big Four".^[68]

Qualification

.From 1997 to 2001, countries qualified for each Contest based on the average of their points totals for their entries over the previous five years.^ Today girls are happy to represent their country at the contest that they used to follow as fans for many years listen .

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

^ At the first Icelandic press conference singer Johanna first had to explain why she had chosen of the previous year’s Icelandic Eurovision contestants as a backing singer listen .

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

^ Erichsen has previously criticised Wogan for not showing the contest enough respect, saying before last year's show: "Terry Wogan is a problem because he makes it look ridiculous.

• Eurovision is 'rubbish', Terry Wogan tells European broadcasters | Media | guardian.co.uk 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.guardian.co.uk [Source type: News]

^[69][70] .However, there was much discontent voiced over this system because a country could be punished by not being allowed to enter merely because of poor previous results, which did not take into account how good a fresh attempt might be.^ There was a certain feeling of ease in the air, because we have so much fun together.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^ With her voice, she would sound much better by singing more strongly and by being more edgy.

• Reality Show with t.A.T.u.! - General Thread. [Archive] - Unofficial forum of group TATU 25 September 2009 1:55 UTC forum.tatysite.net [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ About Tokio Yulia said that Lena just strained herself to much there (or strained her voice?

• Reality Show with t.A.T.u.! - General Thread. [Archive] - Unofficial forum of group TATU 25 September 2009 1:55 UTC forum.tatysite.net [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

.This led the EBU to create what was hoped would be a more permanent solution to the problem, which was to have two shows every year: a qualification round, and the grand final.^ In the 14th Budva Music Festival in the same year, he won the Grand Prix with the song Nebo I More.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^ "Millions of people follow this event, every year, so we really enjoy taking part in the preliminary round," Sandy, Nadja, Lucy and Jessica said.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^ First year had more miss than hits, but year two was a vast improvement.

• Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news. 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.aintitcool.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

.In these two shows there would be enough broadcast time to include all the countries which wished to participate, every year.^ A part of me would like one of next years specials to focus on the early years of the First Doctor, and have another one focus on the Eight Doctor and the Time War.

• Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news. 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.aintitcool.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ He has performed at every major club in his country as well as on many big raves and various radio and TV shows.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^ Live Theatre was also a huge passion for Isis, and she spent her childhood years participating in various live musicals.By the time she was 12 years old, she was earning money as a professional singer.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

.The qualification round became known as the Eurovision Semi-Final.^ Csézy won the Hungarian national selection of the Eurovision Song Contest with the song named Candlelight, and she will participate in the Semi-Final in Belgrade.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^ After two thrilling Semi-Finals on Friday and Saturday, the list of participants in Sunday's Eurovision Grand Final is now known.

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

^ Hind Laroussi (photo: Wim Kluvers) has been chosen by NOS to represent the Netherlands in the first of the two Semi-Finals of the 53rd Eurovision Song Contest.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^[71]

Semi-finals

.A qualification round, known as the semi-final, was introduced for the 2004 Contest.^ The popular puppet will now go on to represent Ireland in the first Semi-Final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Belgrade on Tuesday 20th of May.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^ Csézy won the Hungarian national selection of the Eurovision Song Contest with the song named Candlelight, and she will participate in the Semi-Final in Belgrade.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^ Hind Laroussi (photo: Wim Kluvers) has been chosen by NOS to represent the Netherlands in the first of the two Semi-Finals of the 53rd Eurovision Song Contest.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^[72] .This semi-final was held on the Wednesday during Eurovision Week, and was a programme similar in format to the grand final, whose time slot remained 19:00 UTC on the Saturday.^ The popular puppet will now go on to represent Ireland in the first Semi-Final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Belgrade on Tuesday 20th of May.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^ Gamecards are available here: - First Semi-Final (Friday 7.30pm) - Second Semi-Final (Saturday 7.30pm) A Gamecard for Sunday's Grand Final will appear online by Sunday Morning.

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

^ Csézy won the Hungarian national selection of the Eurovision Song Contest with the song named Candlelight, and she will participate in the Semi-Final in Belgrade.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

.The highest-placed songs from the semi-final would qualify for the grand final, while the lower-placed songs were out of the competition for that year.^ The songs already qualified for the final are: 1.

• ASIAN MISSION TO EUROVISION! 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC asian-mission-to-eurovision.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^ Blink would have seemed out of place in seasons 1 and 2 a probably the current season as well.

• Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news. 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.aintitcool.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ In 2006 his duet with the famous Esma Redzepova won the second place at the Macedonian Eurovision Song Contest final.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

.From 2005–2007, the semi-final programme was held on the Thursday of Eurovision Week.^ Switzerland's DJ Bobo and Ireland's Dustin The Turkey were early favourites to win in 2007 and 2008 respectively, but both were knocked out at the Semi-Final stage.

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

^ The popular puppet will now go on to represent Ireland in the first Semi-Final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Belgrade on Tuesday 20th of May.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^ Csézy won the Hungarian national selection of the Eurovision Song Contest with the song named Candlelight, and she will participate in the Semi-Final in Belgrade.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^[73]

.The ten most highly-placed non-Big Four countries in the grand final were guaranteed a place in the following year's grand final, without the need to participate in next year's semi.^ Of course, most of the countries are now in the process of choosing their songs & representatives for the semi-finals in Helsinki!

• ASIAN MISSION TO EUROVISION! 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC asian-mission-to-eurovision.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^ Bad Wolf and PotW. make the most of it though, we don't get much who next year :( .

• Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news. 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.aintitcool.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ Csézy won the Hungarian national selection of the Eurovision Song Contest with the song named Candlelight, and she will participate in the Semi-Final in Belgrade.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

.If, for example, Germany came in the top ten, the eleventh-placed non-Big-Four country would automatically qualify for the next year's grand final.^ The day of the recording of the Grand Final, May 16, is the date when her mother died and for many years Patricia stayed true to her promise never perform on this day.

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

^ A part of me would like one of next years specials to focus on the early years of the First Doctor, and have another one focus on the Eight Doctor and the Time War.

• Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news. 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.aintitcool.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ Watch As host country, Russia does not need to quality through the Semi-Finals as it has an automatic place in the Finals.

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

^[28] .The remaining countries—which had not automatically qualified for the grand final—had to enter the semi.^ Watch As host country, Russia does not need to quality through the Semi-Finals as it has an automatic place in the Finals.

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

^ Gamecards are available here: - First Semi-Final (Friday 7.30pm) - Second Semi-Final (Saturday 7.30pm) A Gamecard for Sunday's Grand Final will appear online by Sunday Morning.

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

^ Of course, most of the countries are now in the process of choosing their songs & representatives for the semi-finals in Helsinki!

• ASIAN MISSION TO EUROVISION! 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC asian-mission-to-eurovision.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^[28]

.At the 50^th annual meeting of the EBU reference group in September 2007, it was decided that from the 2008 Contest onwards there would be held two semi-finals.^ The Reference Group have developed a 2007-2011 a marketing, development and security plan for the contest which has already been approved by the EBU TV committee and has received a warm welcome by the Heads of Delegations during the March meeting in Helsinki.

• ASIAN MISSION TO EUROVISION! 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC asian-mission-to-eurovision.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^ Roberto Meloni, a singer who represented Latvia at the Eurovison Song Contest in 2007 as a member of the group Bonaparti.lv.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^ Belgium’s participants in the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest are a group called Ishtar (photo: Bart Musschoot), named after the Babylonian goddess of love.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^[74] .From 2008 onwards, the scoreboard position of any previous years has not been relevant, and—save for the automatic qualifiers—all participating countries have had to participate in the semi-finals, regardless of their previous year's scoreboard position.^ Rebeka got the ticket to represent her native country after winning the Slovene national final EMA 2008.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^ It's Nox, from Hungary , it's no wonder Ireland failed to get through the Semi-final - they appear to have had all their tippity-tappity charm nicked by these guys.

• Guardian Unlimited | Newsblog | The 50th Eurovision Song Contest: minute by minute commentary 27 January 2010 23:51 UTC blogs.guardian.co.uk [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ Switzerland's DJ Bobo and Ireland's Dustin The Turkey were early favourites to win in 2007 and 2008 respectively, but both were knocked out at the Semi-Final stage.

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

.The only countries which automatically qualify for the grand final are the host country, and the Big Four: France, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom, who continue to enjoy their protected status.^ Watch As host country, Russia does not need to quality through the Semi-Finals as it has an automatic place in the Finals.

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

^ (Here is a picture of the winner from last night who have qualified into the Finals!

• ASIAN MISSION TO EUROVISION! 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC asian-mission-to-eurovision.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^ Since the Eurovision Song Contest is a big event for this small country listen , she likes being in the focus of attention of those who are so fond of music.

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

^[54]

.In each of the semi-finals the voting is conducted among those countries which participate in that semi-final in question.^ Of course, most of the countries are now in the process of choosing their songs & representatives for the semi-finals in Helsinki!

• ASIAN MISSION TO EUROVISION! 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC asian-mission-to-eurovision.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^ Watch As host country, Russia does not need to quality through the Semi-Finals as it has an automatic place in the Finals.

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

^ They then have a live performance of each song, and at the end there is a *lengthy* vote casting section where each country votes for it's neighbours or political allies, and completely ignores the quality of the songs in question.

• Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news. 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.aintitcool.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

.With regards to the automatic grand final qualifiers, which do not participate in the semi-finals, a draw is conducted to determine in which semi-final each of them will be allowed to vote.^ Csézy won the Hungarian national selection of the Eurovision Song Contest with the song named Candlelight, and she will participate in the Semi-Final in Belgrade.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^ After last years miserable performance though, Ireland have to qualify for the final and will take part in a semi final on Tuesday....the voting trend there will indicate how big a chance Dustin actually has.

• Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news. 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.aintitcool.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

.In contrast, every participating country in a particular year may vote in the Saturday grand final — whether their song qualified from the semi or not.^ The songs already qualified for the final are: 1.

• ASIAN MISSION TO EUROVISION! 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC asian-mission-to-eurovision.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^ They will be providing the commentary from Moscow during the two Semi-Finals and Grand-Final which, like last year, are to be broadcast in Australia on three consecutive Evenings from Friday 15th through to Sunday 17th May.

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

^ The Euroband was established in March 2006 by Friðrik Ómar and Regína Ósk who had both participated in the Icelandic National Song Contest earlier that year.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^[75]

.After the votes have been cast in each semi-final, the countries which received the most votes—and will therefore proceed to the grand final on Saturday—are announced by name by the presenters.^ Of course, most of the countries are now in the process of choosing their songs & representatives for the semi-finals in Helsinki!

• ASIAN MISSION TO EUROVISION! 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC asian-mission-to-eurovision.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^ Watch As host country, Russia does not need to quality through the Semi-Finals as it has an automatic place in the Finals.

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

^ Gamecards are available here: - First Semi-Final (Friday 7.30pm) - Second Semi-Final (Saturday 7.30pm) A Gamecard for Sunday's Grand Final will appear online by Sunday Morning.

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

.Full voting results are withheld until after the grand final, whereupon they are published on the EBU's website.^ Voting stays open until Friday 15th May, closing just before the broadcast of the first Semi-Final on Australian Television.

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

^[54]

Winners

Further information: Eurovision Song Contest winners

Lys Assia, first Eurovision winner (1956) and Dima Bilan, winner in 2008.

.Winning the Eurovision Song Contest provides a unique opportunity for the winning artist(s) to capitalise on the surrounding publicity to further his, her or their career(s).^ Iraq not in the Eurovision Song Contest after all .

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

^ Eurovision Song Contest viewers, be prepared!

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^ According to Chikilicuatre himself, to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest is a dream come true,or truth becoming a dream.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

Artists

.The most notable winning Eurovision artist whose career was directly launched into the spotlight following their win was ABBA, who won the Contest for Sweden in 1974 with their song "Waterloo". ABBA went on to become one of the most successful bands of all time.^ So they sang and recorded it, and off they went to Eurovision Song Contest.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^ The Swedish pop band won the contest in 1974.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^ I won and later on, when it was time to pick a song for the contest, Arash won with his composition.

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

^[76]

Another notable winner who subsequently achieved international fame and success was Céline Dion, who won the Contest for Switzerland in 1988 with the song "Ne partez pas sans moi", which subsequently helped launch her international career^[77]

Other artists who have achieved varying degrees of success after winning the Contest include France Gall ("Poupée de cire, poupée de son", Luxembourg 1965), Dana ("All Kinds of Everything", Ireland 1970), Vicky Leandros ("Après toi", Luxembourg 1972), Brotherhood of Man ("Save Your Kisses for Me", United Kingdom 1976), Marie Myriam ("L'oiseau et l'enfant", France 1977), Johnny Logan (who won twice for Ireland; with "What's Another Year?" in 1980, and "Hold Me Now" in 1987), Bucks Fizz ("Making Your Mind Up", United Kingdom 1981), Nicole ("Ein Bißchen Frieden", Germany 1982), and Herreys ("Diggi-Loo Diggi-Ley", Sweden 1984). .Many other winners include well-known artists who won the Contest mid-career, after they had already established themselves as successful.^ She also has been known to write songs for many other Armenian artists.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^ He participated in many musical contests as a child, in Montenegro and abroad, and he even won many of these contests and festivals, as the songs he was presenting became instant hits.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^ The Euroband was established in March 2006 by Friðrik Ómar and Regína Ósk who had both participated in the Icelandic National Song Contest earlier that year.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

.An example being, Katrina and the Waves, representing the United Kingdom, who were the winners of the contest with the song, Love Shine a Light.^ The band has been chosen as the Finnish representative in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 and their third album Myrskyntuoja is to be released in Finland on March 19.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^ It is a common secret that die-hard fans all over Europe love to collect and rewatch past Eurovision Song Contests over and over again.

• ASIAN MISSION TO EUROVISION! 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC asian-mission-to-eurovision.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^ She has previously successfully participated in many song contests, such as the New Wave and Slavyansky Bazar.

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

^[78]

.Some artists, however, have vanished into relative obscurity, making little or no impact on the international music scene after their win.^ Relatively new to the music scene, she has always been highly interested in singing ever since she was a little girl and danced in front of the mirror with a broomstick.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^ It's funny, you'd think it was trying to make you think of the popular rap artist, but it sounds like nothing so much as some form of sanitary product to me.

• Guardian Unlimited | Newsblog | The 50th Eurovision Song Contest: minute by minute commentary 27 January 2010 23:51 UTC blogs.guardian.co.uk [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ The results are not included in the official Eurovision results, however the winning artist will receive a special Australian Radio Listeners' Choice trophy.

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

Countries

Map showing each country's number of Eurovision wins.

.Ireland holds the record for the most number of wins, having won the Contest seven times—including three times in a row in 1992, 1993 and 1994. France, Luxembourg and United Kingdom are joint second with five wins, but the UK has come in second a record 15 times.^ Any country participating in the Eurovision is free to send nationals of any country they choose, most notable examples being Canada's Celine Dion who once represented Switzerland and Australian-born Johnny Logan who won for Ireland three times.

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

^ Alexander Ryback's Fairytale came true when Norway won the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest with the highest number of points in the contest's history.

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

^ In 2006 his duet with the famous Esma Redzepova won the second place at the Macedonian Eurovision Song Contest final.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^[79]

.The early years of the Contest saw many wins for "traditional" Eurovision countries: France, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.^ Today girls are happy to represent their country at the contest that they used to follow as fans for many years listen .

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

^ It was on the 24th of May, 1956, that Europe saw the first ever Eurovision Song Contest.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^ We try to perform without many special effects, because Eurovision is a song contest”, said Patrick Ouchene.

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

However, the success of these countries has declined in recent decades: the Netherlands last won in 1975; France in 1977; and Luxembourg in 1983. The last time Luxembourg entered the Contest was in 1993.^[80]

.The first years of the 21st century produced a spate of first-time winners, from both "new" Eurovision countries, and old-timers who had entered for many years without a win.^ Who will be the 2008 Eurovision winner?

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^ Today girls are happy to represent their country at the contest that they used to follow as fans for many years listen .

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

^ She started singing very early, she was only 5 years old the first time she took part in a concert in her hometown.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

.Every year from 2001 to 2008 resulted in a country winning for the first time.^ This year's results have brought up some speculations that the funding countries i.e.

• ASIAN MISSION TO EUROVISION! 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC asian-mission-to-eurovision.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^ Rebeka got the ticket to represent her native country after winning the Slovene national final EMA 2008.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^ She started singing very early, she was only 5 years old the first time she took part in a concert in her hometown.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

.The 2006 winner was Finland, which finally won after having entered the Contest for 45 years.^ Sakis Rouvas is no stranger to the Eurovision, having sung at the contest for Greece in 2004 and even co-hosted the event in Athens back in 2006.

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

^ Csézy won the Hungarian national selection of the Eurovision Song Contest with the song named Candlelight, and she will participate in the Semi-Final in Belgrade.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^ She is studying to be an opera singer, but is also very familiar to Albanian TV audiences having won the Best New Artist prize in the last year’s “Friday Fever Song Contest” contest before going onto win the Albanian national final for the Eurovision Song Contest.

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

Ukraine on the other hand did not have to wait so long, winning with their second entry in 2004. Serbia won the very first year it entered as an independent state, in 2007.^[81]

.Having finished 2nd on two occasions (2002, 2005) and 3rd on two occasions (1992 and 1998), Malta is the most successful country to never win the contest.^ Ireland are the most successful country in the competition, (I'm Irish by the way) and if anyone was going to take the piss out of Eurovision, it was going to be us.

• Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news. 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.aintitcool.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ ABBA is the most successful Eurovision Song Contest winner.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^ Eurovision is a contest where every European country sends 3 minutes of either camp or ethno, badly-sung pop music, which is then voted on and the country with the most neighbours wins.

• Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news. 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.aintitcool.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

As of 2009, the country which has entered the longest with no wins to their name is Portugal. .They started entering in 1964, and with 43 appearances, are still awaiting their first win.^ He entered the showbiz world singing at Nota Fest in 2001 and won the first prize, which was the first time for a newcomer to win the majority of votes of the jury and the audience.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^[82]

Criticisms and controversy

.The Contest has been the subject of criticism regarding both its musical content and the perception that it is more about politics than it is about music.^ And have no doubt about it: THIS IS BIG! Half the Swedish population will sit in front of the television and more than 2 million votes will probably be handed in.

• ASIAN MISSION TO EUROVISION! 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC asian-mission-to-eurovision.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^ A lot of the Japanese, Korean and Chinese girls in my boarding school listened to more romantic music than anything else.

• Reality Show with t.A.T.u.! - General Thread. [Archive] - Unofficial forum of group TATU 25 September 2009 1:55 UTC forum.tatysite.net [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ Also, the UK is the #1 music country in Europe, other countries have a chip on their shoulder about us, we've already won the real music contest hands down.

• Eurovision is 'rubbish', Terry Wogan tells European broadcasters | Media | guardian.co.uk 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.guardian.co.uk [Source type: News]

^[83][84]

Musical style and presentation

.Because the musical songs are playing to such a diverse international audience with contrasting musical tastes, and that countries want to be able to appeal to as many people as possible to gain votes, the majority of the songs have historically been middle-of-the-road pop.^ Because that has so much to do with pop music.

• Guardian Unlimited | Newsblog | The 50th Eurovision Song Contest: minute by minute commentary 27 January 2010 23:51 UTC blogs.guardian.co.uk [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ Eurovision is an annual music event where a lot of countries in Europe (most of which we've barely heard of), come up with a song each.

• Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news. 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.aintitcool.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ There was no doubt about her classical background, but in order to gain a wider audience, she wanted to show her talent in the field of pop music as well.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

.Deviations from this formula have rarely achieved success, leading to the Contest gaining a reputation for its music being "bubblegum pop".^[85] This well-established pattern, however, was notably broken in 2006 with Finnish hard rock band Lordi's landslide victory.^ The contestant had leading parts in a number of musicals.

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

^ The band has been chosen as the Finnish representative in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 and their third album Myrskyntuoja is to be released in Finland on March 19.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^ His music video is visually stunning, telling an epic story of love and battle, however the story does not translate well to the limitations of the live Eurovision stage, and he will have to do some simplify it some more if he is to be successful in telling his song's story to the TV audience.

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

.As Eurovision is a visual show, many performances attempt to attract the attention of the voters through means other than the music, sometimes leading to bizarre onstage gimmicks.^ Besides, they continue to perform covers of many famous songs by Lenny Kravits, Robby Williams and others.

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

^ Simon Mathew has also teamed up singers and entertainers who have performed with different shows including lectures, stand-up, song and music typically dealing with issues a little more serious than usual.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^ His Stage Show dispenses with all visual embellishments - no dancers, few background graphics, in fact few visual stimuli at all which leads to boring television.

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

^[86]

Political and national voting

.The Contest has long been accused of political bias, where the perception is that judges—and now televoters—allocate points based on their nation's relationship to the other countries, rather than the musical merits of the songs.^ Cos Armenians can not think otherwise, a nation that has stolen our music, and wants to be proud with it1 Take it easy andlive your life with your “things”….Our song was better and you should just accept it” Actually it was the best in the eurovision contest” Long Liver Azerbaijan!

• Armenia - Eurovision 2008 » My Eurovision Vote 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.hamovhotov.com [Source type: News]

^ Your audience should be in tune with your song.” Preview the Maltese Music Video and Stage Show Vote for Malta in the Australian Radio Televote .

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

^ There will also be other changes – the rules have been modified in a bid to cut down on political bloc voting, with telephone voting now making up only half of a country's votes with the rest coming from a reinstated panel.

• Eurovision is 'rubbish', Terry Wogan tells European broadcasters | Media | guardian.co.uk 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.guardian.co.uk [Source type: News]

^[87] .According to one study of Eurovision voting patterns, certain countries tend to form "clusters" or "cliques" by frequently voting in the same way.^ Other neighbouring countries used to be constituent elements the same place, such as Yugoslavia or Czechoslovakia, that's why you get neighbourly voting.

• Eurovision is 'rubbish', Terry Wogan tells European broadcasters | Media | guardian.co.uk 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.guardian.co.uk [Source type: News]

^ Ah, Austria are voting now, the second country to return, after the first one, which I didn't hear.

• Guardian Unlimited | Newsblog | The 50th Eurovision Song Contest: minute by minute commentary 27 January 2010 23:51 UTC blogs.guardian.co.uk [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ We need a proportional voting system, so a country's vote of 60 million has more weight than one of 2 million.

• Eurovision is 'rubbish', Terry Wogan tells European broadcasters | Media | guardian.co.uk 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.guardian.co.uk [Source type: News]

^[88] .On the other hand, however, scholars argue that certain countries allocate disproportionately high points to others because of similar musical tastes, cultures and because they speak similar languages,^[89][90] and are therefore more likely to appreciate each other's music; for example, the explanation for Greece and Cyprus' routine exchange of 12 points in every possible occasion since popular voting was introduced in 1998 is because those countries share the same music industry and language, and artists who are popular in one country are popular in the other.^ Cyprus will give 12 points to Greece .

• Guardian Unlimited | Newsblog | The 50th Eurovision Song Contest: minute by minute commentary 27 January 2010 23:51 UTC blogs.guardian.co.uk [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ Spanish and Portuguese are similar languages - of course they vote for each other - the musical styles are similar and they understand the lyrics.

• Eurovision is 'rubbish', Terry Wogan tells European broadcasters | Media | guardian.co.uk 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.guardian.co.uk [Source type: News]

^ Now more problems have arisen which seemingly have widened the gap between Lena&Yulia on one side and Ivan on the other.

• Reality Show with t.A.T.u.! - General Thread. [Archive] - Unofficial forum of group TATU 25 September 2009 1:55 UTC forum.tatysite.net [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^{[citation needed]}

.Another influential factor is the high proportion of expatriates, ethnic minorities and diaspora living in certain countries, often due to recent political upheaval.^ They then have a live performance of each song, and at the end there is a *lengthy* vote casting section where each country votes for it's neighbours or political allies, and completely ignores the quality of the songs in question.

• Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news. 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.aintitcool.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ Gyspies, or Roma as they are more usually called, are an ethnic minority present in countries across Europe from England to Russia.

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

Although judges and televoters cannot vote for their own country's entry, expatriates and diaspora can vote for their country of origin from their current location. Countries with large populations of non-nationals may have their televote influenced considerably. .This has been cited as the reason for apparent bloc voting in the Balkan countries of the former Yugoslavia.^ Other neighbouring countries used to be constituent elements the same place, such as Yugoslavia or Czechoslovakia, that's why you get neighbourly voting.

• Eurovision is 'rubbish', Terry Wogan tells European broadcasters | Media | guardian.co.uk 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.guardian.co.uk [Source type: News]

^ Of course the countries of the former Yugoslavia vote for each other, they understand the lyrics, and if it was as political as Wogan claims, they wouldn't - they were killing each other not so long ago.

• Eurovision is 'rubbish', Terry Wogan tells European broadcasters | Media | guardian.co.uk 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.guardian.co.uk [Source type: News]

^ The sense of righteous indignation that rises as countries bloc vote in predictable unison is all part of the magic.

• Eurovision is 'rubbish', Terry Wogan tells European broadcasters | Media | guardian.co.uk 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.guardian.co.uk [Source type: News]

^[91] .The "émigré vote" is seen as an important factor for Turkey, as their song often garners a large proportion of the votes from countries where there is a sizeable diaspora, such as Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, France and Austria.^ His international gigs have taken him to nearly 20 European countries including England, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Malta and Cyprus, to name a few.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^ They then have a live performance of each song, and at the end there is a *lengthy* vote casting section where each country votes for it's neighbours or political allies, and completely ignores the quality of the songs in question.

• Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news. 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.aintitcool.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ We need a proportional voting system, so a country's vote of 60 million has more weight than one of 2 million.

• Eurovision is 'rubbish', Terry Wogan tells European broadcasters | Media | guardian.co.uk 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.guardian.co.uk [Source type: News]

^[92]

.In a move to help reduce the effects of voting blocs since the advent of televoting in the Eurovision Song Contest, the 2009 edition re-introduced national juries alongside televoting in the final, both contributing to 50% of the vote.^ Iraq not in the Eurovision Song Contest after all .

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

^ I'm so happy I'm going to be able to finally be at a Eurovision Song Contest for real!!

• ASIAN MISSION TO EUROVISION! 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC asian-mission-to-eurovision.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^ Eurovision Song Contest viewers, be prepared!

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^[93] This hybrid system will be implemented in semi-finals for 2010.^[94]

Spin-offs

A number of spin-offs and imitators of the Eurovision Song Contest have been produced over the years:

• Asia-Pacific Song Contest—Asia-Pacific version.
• Junior Eurovision Song Contest—held annually since 2003, for artists under the age of 16.
• MGP Nordic—Nordic contest similar to the Junior Eurovision Song Contest.
• Sopot International Song Festival—held in Sopot, Poland, annually since 1961.
• Intervision Song Contest—held by the Eastern bloc countries between 1977 and 1980.
• World Oriental Music Festival—first held in Sarajevo in 2005; includes participants from Europe and Asia.
• Bundesvision Song Contest—held annually between the 16 states of Germany since 2005.
• Baltic Song Contest—held annually in Karlshamn, Sweden.
• International Castlebar Song Contest held annually in county Mayo, Ireland

In Autumn 2005, the EBU organised a special programme to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Contest. .The show, entitled Congratulations (after Cliff Richard's entry for the United Kingdom in 1968) was held in Copenhagen, and featured many artists from the last 50 years of the Contest.^ Many journalists were interested why they could not see at the rehearsal the animation cat – an important character of the Belgian artist’s show listen .

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

^ Today girls are happy to represent their country at the contest that they used to follow as fans for many years listen .

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

^ The song has been covered by famous stars such as Frank Sinatra, Cliff Richard, David Bowie and many more.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

.A telephone vote was held to determine the most popular Eurovision song of all-time, which was won by ABBA's "Waterloo" (winner, Sweden 1974).^ Iraq not in the Eurovision Song Contest after all .

• The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]

^ ABBA is the most successful Eurovision Song Contest winner.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^ Dutch and Hebrew songs won 3 times each.

• Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]

^[95]

See also

• Best of Eurovision
• European music

Notes

1. ^ "Winners of the Eurovision Song Contest" (PDF). European Broadcasting Union. http://www.ebu.ch/departments/television/pdf/Winners-Palmares_56-02.pdf. Retrieved 2007-12-26. 
2. ^ "Live Webcast". European Broadcasting Union. http://web.archive.org/web/20060525094524/http://www.eurovision.tv/english/2513.htm. Retrieved 2006-05-25. 
3. ^ Staff (2006-05-21). "Finland wins Eurovision contest". Al Jazeera English. http://english.aljazeera.net/archive/2006/05/2008410141723346664.html. Retrieved 2007-05-08. 
4. ^ Murray, Matthew. "Eurovision Song Contest - International Music Program". Museum of Broadcast Communications. http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/E/htmlE/eurovisionso/eurovisionso.htm. Retrieved 2006-07-15. 
5. ^ "Eurovision Trivia" (PDF). BBC Online. 2002. http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2002/05_may/16/eurovision_trivia.pdf. Retrieved 2006-07-18. 
6. ^ "Eurovision Song Contest 1972". European Broadcasting Union. http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/by-year/contest?event=288. Retrieved 2009-07-21. 
7. ^ "Eurovision Song Contest 2004 Final". European Broadcasting Union. http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/by-year/contest?event=8. Retrieved 2009-07-22. 
8. ^ Philip Laven (July 2002). "Webcasting and the Eurovision Song Contest". European Broadcasting Union. http://www.ebu.ch/en/technical/trev/trev_291-editorial.html. Retrieved 2006-08-21. 
9. ^ "Eurovision song contest 2006 - live streaming". Octoshape. 2006-06-08. http://www.streamingmedia.com/press/view.asp?id=4907. Retrieved 2006-08-21. 
10. ^ ^{a b c} Staff (2005-05-17). "Singing out loud and proud". Bristol Evening Post (Daily Mail and General Trust). "In the mid-1950s, the members of the European Broadcasting Union set up an ad-hoc committee to investigate ways of rallying the countries of Europe round a light entertainment programme. At Monaco, in late January 1955, this committee, chaired by Marcel Bezencon, director general of Swiss Television, came up with the idea of creating a song contest, inspired by the very popular San Remo Festival. The idea was approved by the EBU General Assembly in Rome on October 19, 1955, and it was decided that the first "Eurovision Grand Prix" - so baptised, incidentally, by a British journalist - would take place in spring 1956 at Lugano, Switzerland." 
11. ^ ^{a b c} Jaquin, Patrick (2004-12-01). "Eurovision's Golden Jubilee". European Broadcasting Union. http://www.ebu.ch/en/union/diffusion_on_line/television/tcm_6-8971.php. Retrieved 2009-07-18. 
12. ^ "History of Eurovision". BBC Online. 2003. http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/eurovision/2003/history. Retrieved 2006-07-20. 
13. ^ ^{a b} Waters, George T. (Winter 1994). "Eurovision: 40 years of network development, four decades of service to broadcasters". European Broadcasting Union. http://www.ebu.ch/en/technical/trev/trev_262-editorial.html. Retrieved 2006-07-15. 
14. ^ ^{a b c d e} "Historical Milestones". European Broadcasting Union. 2005. http://web.archive.org/web/20060526065558/http://www.eurovision.tv/english/611.htm. Retrieved 2006-05-26. 
15. ^ Thomas, Franck (1999). "Histoire 1956 à 1959". eurovision-fr.net. http://web.archive.org/web/20060502192602/http://www.eurovision-fr.net/histoire/histoire5659.php. Retrieved 2006-07-17.  (French)
16. ^ "The EBU Operations Department". European Broadcasting Union. 2005-06-14. http://www.ebu.ch/departments/operations/ops.php. Retrieved 2006-07-20. 
17. ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3712029.stm
18. ^ http://www.eurovision.tv/upload/esc2009rules.pdf
19. ^ ^{a b} "Eurovision Song Contest 1974". European Broadcasting Union. http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/by-year/contest?event=290. Retrieved 2009-07-19. 
20. ^ Barnes, Clive. "Riverdance Ten Years on". RiverDance. http://www.riverdance.com/htm/theshow/thejourney. Retrieved 2006-07-27. 
21. ^ "Eurovision Song Contest 1956". European Broadcasting Union. http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/by-year/contest?event=273. Retrieved 2009-07-19. 
22. ^ "Eurovision Song Contest 1979". European Broadcasting Union. http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/by-year/contest?event=295. Retrieved 2009-07-19. 
23. ^ ^{a b} "Membership conditions". European Broadcasting Union. 2006-02-22. http://www.ebu.ch/departments/legal/activities/leg_membership.php. Retrieved 2006-07-18. 
24. ^ "Extracts From The Radio Regulations" (PDF). International Telecommunication Union. 1994. http://www.ebu.ch/CMSimages/en/leg_ref_itu_radio_regulations_tcm6-4307.pdf. Retrieved 2006-07-18. 
25. ^ "Radio Regulations". International Telecommunication Union. 2005-09-08. http://life.itu.int/radioclub/rr/art05.htm#Reg. Retrieved 2006-07-18. 
26. ^ http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/12068?rss
27. ^ "Eurovision Song Contest: History". European Broadcasting Union. http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history. Retrieved 23 November 2009. 
28. ^ ^{a b c d e f} "Rules of the 2005 Eurovision Song Contest". European Broadcasting Union. 2005. http://web.archive.org/web/20060210010517/http://www.eurovision.tv/searchfiles_english/574.htm. Retrieved 2006-02-10. 
29. ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4824692.stm
30. ^ http://www.star-ecentral.com/news/story.asp?file=/2005/5/19/music/10979477&sec=music
31. ^ Schacht, Andreas (2008-11-13). "SVT to present first 8 artists". European Broadcasting Union. http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=1475. Retrieved 2009-07-18. 
32. ^ "Operación Triunfo: Un intenso camino hacia el festival de eurovision" (in Spanish). Terra Networks. http://www.portalmix.com/operaciontriunfo1/eurovision. Retrieved 2006-07-22. 
33. ^ ^{a b c d e f g} "Rules of the 44^th Eurovision Song Contest, 1999" (PDF). European Broadcasting Union. 1998-10-13. http://www.eurosong.net/archive/esc1999.pdf. Retrieved 2006-07-18. 
34. ^ Fawkes, Helen (2005-05-19). "Ukrainian hosts' high hopes for Eurovision". BBC News Online. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/4561275.stm. Retrieved 2009-07-19. 
35. ^ "General Information on Millstreet" (PDF). Republic of Ireland. http://www.ria.gov.ie/filestore/publications/English-CORK-_Millstreet-FINALISED.pdf. Retrieved 2009-07-17. 
36. ^ "Green Glens Arena". Town of Millstreet. http://www.millstreet.ie/green%20glens/greenglens.htm. Retrieved 2009-07-19. 
37. ^ "Reference group meets in Moscow". European Broadcasting Union. 2008-09-12. http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=1361. Retrieved 2009-07-18. 
38. ^ Marone, John. "Where Do We Put The Foreign Tourists?". The Ukrainian Observer. http://web.archive.org/web/20060204201731/http://www.ukraine-observer.com/articles/208/655. Retrieved 2006-07-18. 
39. ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7418045.stm
40. ^ "Belgrade 2008". European Broadcasting Union. 2008-03-17. http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news/belgrade-2008?id=587. Retrieved 2009-07-19. 
41. ^ ^{a b c} "Rehearsal Schedule" (PDF). European Broadcasting Union. 2008. http://www.eurovision.tv/upload/media/ESC2008_rehearsals.pdf. Retrieved 2009-07-19. 
42. ^ "Interviews 2008". European Broadcasting Union. 2008. http://www.eurovision.tv/page/interviews-2008?id=944. Retrieved 2009-06-21. 
43. ^ "The grand opening reception!". European Broadcasting Union. 2009-05-11. http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=2560. Retrieved 2009-07-19. 
44. ^ "After Show Party: Reactions". European Broadcasting Union. http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=2793. Retrieved 2009-06-20. 
45. ^ ^{a b} "The EuroClub: Official party venue opened its doors". European Broadcasting Union. http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=2309. Retrieved 2009-07-18. 
46. ^ "Eurovision Song Contest 1975". European Broadcasting Union. http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/by-year/contest?event=291. Retrieved 2009-07-23. 
47. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i} O'Connor, John Kennedy (2005). The Eurovision Song Contest 50 Years The Official History. London: Carlton Books Limited. ISBN 1-84442-586-X. 
48. ^ http://english.people.com.cn/200705/11/eng20070511_373758.html
49. ^ "Eurovision 2004 - Voting Briefing". European Broadcasting Union. 2004-05-12. http://web.archive.org/web/20050507155415/http://www.eurovision.tv/archive_2004/english/1098.htm. Retrieved 2005-05-07. 
50. ^ ^{a b} "Results from the draw". European Broadcasting Union. 2006-03-21. http://web.archive.org/web/20060527003915/http://www.eurovision.tv/english/2038.htm. Retrieved 2006-05-27. 
51. ^ "A to Z of Eurovision". BBC Online. http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/eurovision/mymu/atoz.shtml. Retrieved 2006-08-09. 
52. ^ "Eurovision Song Contest 1969". European Broadcasting Union. http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/by-year/contest?event=286. Retrieved 2009-07-23. 
53. ^ "Eurovision Song Contest 1970". European Broadcasting Union. http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/by-year/contest?event=223. Retrieved 2009-07-23. 
54. ^ ^{a b c d e f g} "Rules for the Eurovision Song Contest 2009" (PDF). European Broadcasting Union. http://eurovision.tv/upload/esc2009rules.pdf. Retrieved 2009-07-18. 
55. ^ ^{a b} "Eurovision Song Contest 1999". European Broadcasting Union. http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/by-year/contest?event=314. Retrieved 2009-07-21. 
56. ^ "Eurovision Song Contest 1973". European Broadcasting Union. http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/by-year/contest?event=289. Retrieved 2009-07-21. 
57. ^ "Eurovision Song Contest 1977". European Broadcasting Union. http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/by-year/contest?event=293. Retrieved 2009-07-21. 
58. ^ ^{a b c} Schacht, Andreas (2008-03-09). "Ishtar for Belgium to Belgrade!". European Broadcasting Union. http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=554. Retrieved 2009-07-19. 
59. ^ "Eurovision Song Contest 1978". European Broadcasting Union. http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/by-year/contest?event=294. Retrieved 2009-07-18. 
60. ^ "Lebanon withdraws from Eurovision". BBC News Online. 2005-03-18. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4362373.stm. Retrieved 2006-07-15. 
61. ^ "Reglement du Grand Prix Eurovision 1956 De La Chanson Européenne" (PDF). European Broadcasting Union. http://www.eurovision.tv/upload/history/1956/56_rules.pdf. Retrieved 2009-07-19. 
62. ^ "Eurovision Song Contest 1957". European Broadcasting Union. http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/by-year/contest?event=274. Retrieved 2009-07-19. 
63. ^ "Eurovision Song Contest 1993". European Broadcasting Union. http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/by-year/contest?event=235. Retrieved 2009-06-25. 
64. ^ "Eurovision Song Contest 1993". European Broadcasting Union. http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/by-year/contest?event=235. Retrieved 2009-07-22. 
65. ^ "Eurovision Song Contest 1994". European Broadcasting Union. http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/by-year/contest?event=309. Retrieved 2009-07-22. 
66. ^ "Eurovision Song Contest 1995". European Broadcasting Union. http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/by-year/contest?event=310. Retrieved 2009-07-22. 
67. ^ ^{a b} "Eurovision Song Contest 1996". European Broadcasting Union. http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/by-year/contest?event=311. Retrieved 2009-07-18. 
68. ^ http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090515/eurovision_contest_090516/20090516?hub=TopStories
69. ^ "Eurovision Song Contest 1997". European Broadcasting Union. http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/by-year/contest?event=312. Retrieved 2009-06-26. 
70. ^ "Eurovision Song Contest 2001". European Broadcasting Union. http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/by-year/contest?event=266. Retrieved 2009-06-26. 
71. ^ http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/05/16/1084646073107.html
72. ^ "Eurovision Song Contest 2004 Semi-Final". European Broadcasting Union. http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/by-year/contest?event=9. Retrieved 2009-07-22. 
73. ^ "Eurovision Song Contest 2005 Semi-Final". European Broadcasting Union. http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/by-year/contest?event=157. Retrieved 2009-07-22. 
74. ^ "Eurovision Song Contest - Two Semi Finals In 2008" (PDF). European Broadcasting Union. 2007-10-01. http://www.ebu.ch/CMSimages/en/PR_ESC%20Semi-Finals_01%2E10%2E07_EN_tcm6-54154.pdf. Retrieved 2009-07-18. 
75. ^ "The voting". European Broadcasting Union. http://www.eurovision.tv/page/moscow2009/voting. Retrieved 2009-25-25. 
76. ^ http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/09/12/DDBN12SDVQ.DTL
77. ^ http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSSCH28177920070514
78. ^ http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/lloyd-webber-agrees-to-try-to-write-a-winner-for-eurovision-966380.html
79. ^ http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/1999/may/29/davidsharrock?gusrc=rss&feed=music
80. ^ http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/3221
81. ^ http://www.b92.net/eng/news/society-article.php?yyyy=2007&mm=05&dd=13&nav_category=113&nav_id=41193
82. ^ http://www.praguepost.com/tempo/1867-swan-song.html
83. ^ "Politics 'not Eurovision factor'". BBC News Online. 2007-05-09. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/berkshire/6640231.stm. Retrieved 2008-05-25. 
84. ^ "Malta slates Eurovision's voting". BBC News Online. 2007-05-14. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6654719.stm. Retrieved 2008-05-25. 
85. ^ "Edinburgh Fringe show celebrates Eurovision kitsch". Reuters. 2007-08-11. http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKL1142844820070814. Retrieved 2009-07-18. 
86. ^ See Paul Allatson, “‘Antes cursi que sencilla’: Eurovision Song Contests and the Kitsch Drive to Euro-Unity,” in the Special issue on Creolisation: Towards a Non-Eurocentric Europe, in Culture, Theory and Critique [1], vol. 48, no. 1 (Spring 2007): 87–98.
87. ^ "Eurovision votes 'farce' attack". BBC News Online. 2004-05-16. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_east/3719157.stm. Retrieved 2006-07-15. 
88. ^ Daniel Fenn, Omer Suleman, Janet Efstathiou & Neil F. Johnson, Oxford University (2006-05-22). "Connections, cliques and compatibility between countries in the Eurovision Song Contest". arxiv.org. http://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0505071v1. Retrieved 2007-05-02. 
89. ^ [http://164.15.69.62/ecare/personal/ginsburgh/papers/153.eurovision.pdf Ginsburgh, Victor and Abdul Noury. 2006. The Eurovision Song Contest Is Voting Political or Cultural?]
90. ^ Spierdjik, Laura; Vellekoop, Michel (2006-05-18). "Geography, Culture, and Religion: Explaining the Bias in Eurovision Song Contest Voting" (PDF). rug.nl. http://www.rug.nl/economie/faculteit/medewerkers/SpierdijkL/eurovision.pdf?as=pdf. Retrieved 2007-04-18. 
91. ^ Nigel, Duckworth (2003-07-31). Islands of support: Bloc voting, population and migration in the Eurovision Song Contest. Social Studies of Science (Sage Publishers Ltd). pp. 45–42. 
92. ^ Gatherer, Derek (2006-03-31). "Comparison of Eurovision Song Contest Simulation with Actual Results Reveals Shifting Patterns of Collusive Voting Alliances". Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation (Guildford: SimSoc Consortium) 9 (2): 1. ISSN 1460-7425. http://jasss.soc.surrey.ac.uk/9/2/1.html. Retrieved 2009-07-11. 
93. ^ Viniker, Barry (2008-12-08). "EBU confirms 50/50 vote for Eurovision Song Contest". ESCToday. http://esctoday.com/news/read/12655. Retrieved 2008-12-08. 
94. ^ Bakker, Sietse (2009-12-31). "Exclusive: 39 countries to be represented in Oslo". EBU. http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=7923&_t=Exclusive%3A+39+countries+to+be+represented+in+Oslo. Retrieved 2009-12-31. 
95. ^ "Abba win 'Eurovision 50th' vote". BBC News Online. 2005-10-23. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/4366574.stm. Retrieved 2006-07-20. 

External links

• Eurovision Song Contest

Critical studies

.

• Allatson, P. (2007) “‘Antes cursi que sencilla’: Eurovision Song Contests and the Kitsch Drive to Euro-Unity,” in the Special issue on Creolisation: Towards a Non-Eurocentric Europe, in Culture, Theory and Critique, vol.^ Iraq not in the Eurovision Song Contest after all .
  • The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]
  
  ^ Eurovision Song Contest viewers, be prepared!
  • Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]
  
  ^ According to Chikilicuatre himself, to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest is a dream come true,or truth becoming a dream.
  • Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]
  
  48, no. 1 (Spring 2007): 87–98.
• Fenn D; et al. ( 2005.). .How does Europe make its mind up?^ When Jay and Cheryl whipped their skirts off at the end of "Making Your Mind Up" back in '81, that was a right bit of class.
  • Guardian Unlimited | Newsblog | The 50th Eurovision Song Contest: minute by minute commentary 27 January 2010 23:51 UTC blogs.guardian.co.uk [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  ^ How does that add up to a Southern accent.
  • Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news. 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.aintitcool.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  ^ Drinking Buck's fizz, said 'making your mind up'...
  • Guardian Unlimited | Newsblog | The 50th Eurovision Song Contest: minute by minute commentary 27 January 2010 23:51 UTC blogs.guardian.co.uk [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  .Connections, cliques, and compatibility between countries in the Eurovision Song Contest.^ Iraq not in the Eurovision Song Contest after all .
  • The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]
  
  ^ Eurovision Song Contest viewers, be prepared!
  • Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]
  
  ^ According to Chikilicuatre himself, to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest is a dream come true,or truth becoming a dream.
  • Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]
  
  arXiv:physics/0505071
• Gatherer, D. (2006). .Comparison of Eurovision Song Contest Simulation with Actual Results Reveals Shifting Patterns of Collusive Voting Alliances, Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation vol.^ According to Chikilicuatre himself, to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest is a dream come true,or truth becoming a dream.
  • Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]
  
  ^ The band has been chosen as the Finnish representative in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 and their third album Myrskyntuoja is to be released in Finland on March 19.
  • Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]
  
  ^ In 2006 his duet with the famous Esma Redzepova won the second place at the Macedonian Eurovision Song Contest final.
  • Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]
  
  9, no. 2.
• Raykoff, Ivan and Robert D. Tobin (eds.), .A Song for Europe: Popular Music and Politics in the Eurovision Song Contest (Burlington, VT: Ashgate, 2007).
• Yair, G; (1995).^ According to Chikilicuatre himself, to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest is a dream come true,or truth becoming a dream.
  • Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]
  
  ^ In 2005, Ruslan released his first album Sooner or Later.In 2008 Ruslan Alehno became the winner of National Television Musical project EuroFest, what gave him the opportunity to represent Republic of Belarus at the most popular and prestigious musical international contest in Europe Eurovision Song Contest 2008.
  • Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]
  
  ^ Let us hope that the guests of the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest will have a chance to experience the beauty of Slovakia first hand.
  • The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]
  
  .'Unite Unite Europe' The political and cultural structures of Europe as reflected in the Eurovision Song Contest, Social Networks.^ Iraq not in the Eurovision Song Contest after all .
  • The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]
  
  ^ Eurovision Song Contest viewers, be prepared!
  • Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]
  
  ^ According to Chikilicuatre himself, to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest is a dream come true,or truth becoming a dream.
  • Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]
  
  17: 147–161.
• Yair and Maman (1996). .The Persistent Structure of Hegemony in the Eurovision Song Contest, Acta Sociologica.^ According to Chikilicuatre himself, to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest is a dream come true,or truth becoming a dream.
  • Eurovision 2008 : Eurovision 2008 Video Blog 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC eurovision-08.blogspot.com [Source type: General]
  
  ^ Let us hope that the guests of the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest will have a chance to experience the beauty of Slovakia first hand.
  • The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]
  
  ^ SBS Television has announced it will be producing its own commentary for the Eurovision Song Contest 2009.
  • The Eurovision Minute 17 January 2010 23:023 UTC www.eurovisionminute.com [Source type: General]
  
  39: 309–325

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