By Carlotta BROOM MAM-S2ENB
Edited by Ana BORCOMAN MAM-S5ENB
How It Was Invented
The Eurovision Song Contest started a long time ago, in 1956. After World War II, Europe wanted to bring people together again, and two men named Marcel Bezençon and Sergio Pulgliese had an idea. They thought it would be fun if different countries each sent a singer to perform a song, and everyone could watch the show on TV at the same time.
The first contest had only seven countries, and it was held in Switzerland. People liked it so much that it became a big event. Now, millions of people watch it every year!
Contest Format
The contest takes place every May and consists of three live shows:
- First Semi-Final (Tuesday)
- Second Semi-Final (Thursday)
- Grand Final (Saturday)
From the semi-finals, the top 10 countries qualify for the final, joining:
- The Big Five (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom)
- The Host Country (usually the previous year’s winner)
This means that only 26 countries perform in the final.
Voting System
Each participating country gives out two sets of points:
- One set from a professional jury
- One set from the public vote
Viewers:
- Can vote by phone, SMS, or app
- Can vote up to 20 times
- Cannot vote for their own country
- Votes help rank the songs in each country
- Top songs get:
- 12 points for 1st place
- 10 points for 2nd
- 8 to 1 points for 3rd to 10th
Jury:
- Five music experts from each country
- They score based on:
- Singing
- Song creativity
- Stage performance
- Overall impression
Tiebreakers
- If countries have the same points, the one with votes from more countries wins.
- If there’s a tie between the jury and public vote in a country, the public vote wins.
Event Week
Eurovision is more than just a show! During the week, there are:
- Rehearsals
- The Turquoise Carpet (like a red carpet event)
- Fan zones, concerts, and big parties in the Eurovision Village
Fans from all over come to cheer for their favourite songs and countries.
Entry Rules
Every song must follow special rules:
- Must be new and original (not released before September 1 of the previous year)
- Must be 3 minutes or less
- Only 6 people allowed on stage
- Singing must be live — no lip-syncing
- Background music can’t have the main vocals (some backup vocals can be recorded)
- Singers must be at least 16 years old
- No bad language, live animals, or anything offensive (puppets are okay!)
- One artist can only represent one country
- Juries can’t vote for their own country
Conclusion
The Eurovision Song Contest is a huge music event where countries come together to have fun and share songs. It started as a small idea to help people feel united, and now it’s watched by millions of people worldwide.
It’s not just about winning — it’s about having fun, showing off talent, and celebrating different cultures. Whether you’re a judge or just voting from your couch, you help decide who wins. With lights, music, dancing, and amazing voices, Eurovision is one big party that everyone is invited to enjoy!