Tis’ the season for everyone’s favourite song contest, Eurovision! And in order to ring in the annual event, we did some research on some of its long and meaningful history! 

 

Fact #1: Happy Birthday, Eurovision!

Having begun in 1956, Eurovision will be celebrating its 62nd year this year! 

 

Fact #2: The most successful

The five most successful countries in the contest up until today have been Ireland with 7 wins, Sweden with 6, and France, the UK, and Luxembourg with 5 wins each. 

 

Fact #3: The least successful…

Portugal is the LEAST successful nation in the Eurovision contest, having scored the lowest out of all the nations, and having never made it to the top 5. 

 

Fact #4: Mamma Mia!

The beloved Swedish pop band, ABBA, who we all know and love, first made their debut after winning at the 1974 Eurovision song contest. Ironically, the group received ZERO points from the UK.

 

Fact #5: Quite the contrary

Eurovision was originally invented in 1950 as a classical music competition- a light programme with the hopes of uniting Europeans after World War 2. 

 

Fact #6: Famous talents of Eurovision 

Everyone’s favourite Canadian singer, Celine Dion, represented Switzerland in the 1988 competition. 

 

Fact #7: Europe/everyone else.

Although the competition is called Eurovision, non-European countries are eligible to compete and have competed as well such as Australia, Israel, Armenia, Morocco, etc. The reason? This is because any country that is a member of the EBU (European Broadcasting Union) is allowed to enter, even though they may not be ‘European’. 

 

Fact #8: Volare, ooohoh! 

One of the most well-known and covered songs comes from the 1958 Eurovision contest, an entry by Domenico Mudugno- Nel Blu Di Pinto Di Blu. 

 

Fact #9: Breaking World Records! 

In more recent history- Eurovision was included by the Guinness Book of World Records in 2015 as the Longest Running Annual TV Music Competition! Beat that, X-Factor.

 

Fact #10: Animal friendly. 

Among all the crazy acts we see year in and year out at the Eurovision competition, having live animals on stage and within your act is not allowed.