Sweden is gearing up to host the 68th Eurovision Contest, with the UK automatically qualifying for the grand final. However, singer Olly Alexander will showcase Britain’s entry Dizzy at the first semi-final on Tuesday.
The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual televised competition organized by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Songs must be original and no more than three minutes long, with lead vocals performed live. Most participating countries are European, but Australia and Israel also take part.
This year, the contest will be held in Sweden for the seventh time, with the final taking place at the Malmo Arena on Saturday, May 11. The semi-finals will be on May 7 and May 9, with countries like Croatia, Ireland, Ukraine, and Australia competing in the first semi-final.
Olly Alexander, the UK entrant, is a well-known performer with hits like Desire, King, and If You’re Over Me. He is also a Bafta-nominated actor for his role in Channel 4’s Aids drama It’s A Sin.
One of the controversial entries this year is Israel’s, with calls for the country to be suspended over the war in Gaza. However, Eurovision organizers have resisted these calls, stating that the situations in Ukraine and Gaza are different.
The voting for Eurovision is done by a combination of public votes and expert juries, with each country awarding points to their favorite acts. The final will see countries awarding points to the top 10 acts, with fans from around the world participating in the voting process.
Overall, the Eurovision Song Contest is a highly anticipated event with a mix of music, culture, and controversy, making it a must-watch for fans around the world.
