Europe’s favorite TV show is celebrating it’s 60th anniversary.
It’s that time of the year again. May. Time for another edition of Eurovision Song Contest.
Last year, Austrian drag queen Conchita Wurst took home the Eurovision trophy and soon after Austrian capital Vienna got the honor to host the 2015 event. This year, Eurovision is celebrating it’s 60th anniversary. The very first Eurovision Song Contest took place on May 24th, 1956 in Lugano, Switzerland. Only 7 countries competed that year, each with 2 songs. The very first winning song was “Refrain”, performed by Lys Assia from Switzerland. Lys Assia is 91 years old now and she still travels to various Eurovision releated events.
40 countries will be competing this year. 33 countries will compete in two semifinals for 20 places in the Grand Final. 7 countries are automatically qualified for the Grand Final: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom (The Big 5), Austria (host country) and Australia (special guest this year).
The rules of Eurovision Song Contest are simple: Each national public broadcaster submits one original song that can be no longer than 3 minutes. There can be no more than 6 people on stage during the performance. So if the song is sung by a soloist, there can be 5 other people on stage (background vocalists or dancers). Music is pre-recorded, but singers are singing live.
DigitalSpy: Eurovision Song Contest 2015: The ultimate guide – Semi-final 1
DigitalSpy: Eurovision Song Contest 2015: The ultimate guide – Semi-final 2
DigitalSpy: Eurovision Song Contest 2015: The ultimate guide – The finalists so far
ESCToday predictions for Semifinal 1:
Big Poll: Predictions for the semi-final 1
Big Poll: ESCtoday team results for semi-final 1
Big Poll Experts: The results for Semi-final 1
The semifinal starts at 9pm CEST, 3pm EDT, 12pm PDT
Eurovision’s Official Website
Eurovision’s Official YouTube Channel
WATCH Eurovision Online
Semifinal 1 – 16 participants, TOP 10 qualify for the final
1. Moldova: Eduard Romanyuta – I Want Your Love
2. Armenia: Geneaology – Face The Shadow
3. Belgium: Loïc Nottet – Rhythm Inside
4. The Netherlands: Trijntje Oosterhuis – Walk Along
5. Finland: Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät – Aina Mun Pitää
6. Greece: Maria Elena Kyriakou – One Last Breath
7. Estonia: Elina Born & Stig Rästa – Goodbye To Yesterday
8. FYR Macedonia: Daniel Kajmakoski – Autumn Leaves
9. Serbia: Bojana Stamenov – Beauty Never Lies
10. Hungary: Boggie – Wars For Nothing
11. Belarus: Uzari&Maimuna – Time
12. Russia: Polina Gagarina – A Million Voices
13. Denmark: Anti Social Media – The Way You Are
14. Albania: Elhaida Dani – I’m Alive
15. Romania: Voltaj – De La Capat/ All Over Again
16. Georgia: Nina Sublatti – Warrior
The Results
The 10 countries to qualify for Saturday’s Grand Final are:
Albania
Armenia
Russia
Romania
Hungary
Greece
Estonia
Georgia
Serbia
Belgium
