Fun Facts: Eurovision 2015
The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual competition that features singers and bands from all over Europe. Each country performs a song and tries to win the most votes. Whichever country wins the contest gets to host the event in their own country next year.
You can read more about the history of Eurovision, as well as some fun facts from last year. Now, however, it’s time to look at Eurovision 2015, which takes place on Saturday 23rd May.
A Europe-wide Competition
Any country from Europe is able to enter the competition. This year, 40 countries have entered songs and will perform in the semi-finals and final. The record number of competitors was in 2011, when there were 43 nations involved.
Beyond Europe
Eurovision has an increasingly growing fan base from all over the globe. In fact, it reaches all the way to the opposite side of the world. Australia now has a large number of Eurovision fans, even though they have to wake up at 7am on Saturday morning to watch it. This year is the 60th anniversary of the Eurovision Song Contest, and to mark the special occasion, the organizers have decided to allow Australia to enter the competition. This has caused some controversy, although it is only for this year – unless they win it, in which case they will have to defend their title!
Speaking English
Just like the last few years at Eurovision, songs performed in English dominate proceedings. A massive 37 out of the 40 songs are performed in English, even though the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Australia are the only entrants that speak English as their first language. So if you speak English, or are learning it, you’ll have a much better chance at understanding the songs.
Something for everyone
Eurovision always features many different musical styles; there are no rules on what genre of music the song has to be. This year features Italian popera, punk rock from Finland, folk from Hungary, and plenty of Scandinavian pop music, to name a few. Pop is the most successful Eurovision genre, with heartfelt ballads and duets particularly popular this year. Sometimes a song’s genre is not as easy to define. The UK’s entry this year has been described as retro-electro-swing!
http://youtu.be/s6r1tUhl1cQ
Get involved
In the UK and Ireland, Eurovision parties are very popular. People often choose a country to support and wear fancy dress or bring traditional food from their chosen country. Some people prefer to just sit back and enjoy the show with a drink (or several). If you’re studying with us in the UK, Ireland, or even Australia, you should make sure you save the date in your diary. Why not talk to your school’s activity coordinator to see if anyone is planning any parties?
Do you have any exciting Eurovision 2015 plans? Who do you think is going to win this year? Let us know in the comments below.