Songs for the World: The Eurovision Song Contest

This year was the 66th annual Eurovision song contest. This competition among (primarily) European countries has gone unnoticed by most Americans until recently. Two things have changed. First a comedy movie and then a war. This has had more Americans wondering what the hype is.

The competition has noble goals. It stems from a desire after WWII to find a way to unite the countries of Europe in something fun and wholesome, friendly competition instead of enemy fire. The idea was proposed by Sergio Pugliese, an Italian broadcaster.

In the Spring of 1956, Switzerland hosted the very first show. It set the tone for the 65 shows to follow. Each country--only seven participated that year--submitted an original song. A singer from that country performed it. A vote was held for the winner. Ah, the simple days.

It didn't stay simple long. Over the course of the following few years, other staples of the show were cemented. A live scoreboard was added in 1957. And in 1958, the tradition that the winner hosted the next competition began.

By the 1960s, over 15 countries were regularly competing. By the 1980s, countries outside of Europe entered. Now, over 52 countries have entered at some point and the broadcast reaches millions and millions of viewers. It's truly become an international spectacle.

Broadcasts now span over three days of qualifying rounds and are interspersed with famous guest appearances. The public is given an opportunity to vote and their choice counts for 50% of the tally. The other points come from a board of judges from the music industry.

The nitty-gritty rules haven't changed too much over the years. The participants don't have to be from the country they represent. The country's broadcasters are free to make their own rules and select whomever they want from their own competitions to go on to Eurovision.

Songs do have a lot of rules though. Each song cannot have been commercially released yet. It must also be no more than three minutes long. It has to have both instrumental music and accompanying vocals. And finally, the lyrics must be in the participant country's language.

The competition has not been without controversy. Ukraine and Russia have gone after each other lyrically. Armenia and Azerbaijan have been at war literally. Israel is controversial by its vary existence it seems. LGBT rights have riled some. The 2022 contest was no different...

Russia was banned. Ukraine won for "Stefania" written and performed by  Kalush Orchestra, the first song with hip-hop elements to win. Cyber attacks were narrowly avoided. A flag was thrown. A presenter went AWOL. Next year--presumably in Ukraine--will be interesting.