What is Eurovision?

Eurovision is more than just a music competition—it’s a global phenomenon that has captivated audiences around the world for decades. With participants from over three dozen countries and a staggering viewership of over 160 million people worldwide, Eurovision has become a beloved cultural event that unites people through the universal language of music. 

But what exactly sets Eurovision apart? It’s not just about the music—it’s also about the spirit of competition and camaraderie among nations. With a comprehensive set of rules governing everything from song length to live performances, Eurovision ensures a level playing field for all participants. 

Each country has its own unique process for selecting its entry, whether it’s through televised national selection shows, internal selections, or other means. And once the entries are chosen, the real excitement begins with two semi-finals and one grand finale, where the fate of each performance hangs in the balance. 

In Sweden, the excitement for Eurovision begins every year with Melodifestivalen, the national competition that determines Sweden’s representative on the Eurovision stage, making Melodifestivalen one of the most popular television programs in Sweden. 

The voting system adds an extra layer of suspense, with the outcome determined by a combination of jury voting and public votes. In a nod to its ever-expanding global audience, Eurovision started including public votes from viewers around the world in 2023, making it truly an international affair. 

Sweden’s victory in 2023, represented by the talented Loreen with her song “Tattoo,” marked a historic moment as the country is now tied with Ireland for seven Eurovision wins. It’s the 50th anniversary of Sweden’s first victory with ABBA’s famous “Waterloo” performance in 1974! And now, as Sweden prepares to host this year’s Eurovision Song Contest from May 7th to 11th, the excitement is palpable. Sweden is commemorating the 50th anniversary of ABBA’s Eurovision win with various celebrations, including a large concert on April 6th that featured popular artists performing ABBA covers and a pop-up exhibit called ABBA World in Malmö for two weeks coinciding with the anniversary. 

For those who are new to Eurovision or simply want to delve deeper into its cultural significance, ASI’s free lecture, The Politics of Eurovision, on May 2 offers a fascinating exploration of the intersection of politics, national identity, and popular culture, led by Dr. Devashree Gupta, a professor at Carleton College and an expert in European politics and international relations. 

And for fans eager to watch this year, ASI is also hosting a Eurovision Finale Countdown Event on May 9th, providing the perfect opportunity to come together and watch the performances of all the finalist countries ahead of the finale on May 11th. Hosted by Eurovision enthusiast and ASI instructor Ethan Bjelland Hagberg, this free event is open to all, so feel free to bring your friends, grab some food or drinks at FIKA Café, and enjoy a few countries or watch them all. 

So, whether you’re a die-hard Eurovision fan or a curious newcomer, mark your calendars and get ready to experience the magic of Eurovision 2024! 

Photo credit: Jonatan Stålhös/imagebank.sweden.se