TOPIC: EUROVISION
Less than a month to celebrate Eurovision but... what is Eurovision?
A brief history: Eurovision started in 1956 which seven countries participated (Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Italy & Switzerland) to choose the best song. The winner in that edition was Lys Assia from Switzerland with the song "Refrain". At the beginning all the participants sang in their home language however this rule was not used in some years and in 1999 this rule was changed to allow freedom of language (even use an imaginary language just as belgium's 2003 entry 'Sanomi' from Urban Trad and 2008 entry 'O Julissi Na Jalini from Ishtar and dutch's 2006 entry 'Amanbanda' from Treble).
Also from 1956 to 1997, live orchesta was used but this requirement was dropped to pre-recored backing tracks but the voice must be live.
Famous artists participated in Eurovision and some won the competition like ABBA in 1974, Celine Dion in 1988 or Katrina and The Waves (yeah those who sing Walking On Sunshine) in 1997. Also Olivia Newton-John, t.A.T.u., Lordi, Vicky Leandros, Lara Fabian, Julio Iglesias, Mocedades, Nana Mouskouri, Lulu, Las Ketchup, Kate Ryan, DJ Bobo and recently No Angels & Paolo Meneguzzi.
Some others have compited but didn't win their national final were Nightwish, Anthony Costa (from Blue), Justin Hawkins (from The Darkness). Also international artists performed as an interval act in this competition like Apocalyptica, Safri Duo or Aqua.
This year San Marino & Azerbaijan will debut however there's a few countries that can participate but don't want it like Egypt, Lebanon, Tunisia, Lybia. Morroco just participate once (1980 with arab superstar Samira Said), Italy, Luxembourg and Slovakia don't participate since the 90's, Monaco since 2007 and Austria withdrew this year. Liechteinstein can participate because the country doesn't have a TV station.
You can check:
www.eurovision.tv for this year contest.
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