What is Eurovision?

“- So is Eurovision like The Voice?
- Would you shut up? No, it’s not like The Voice!”

This was probably one of the best moments from Will Ferrell’s recent movie Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga. I’ve lost count of the number of times I have started to try and explain Eurovision to someone in America, only to be met with the above question. I’m usually a lot more patient than Lars Erickssong, at least outwardly.

In my mind, I’m usually like ‘would you shut up? No, it’s not like The Voice!

Will Ferrell, getting angry as Lars Erickssong in the Eurovision movie.

But I usually say something like:

‘Conceived as a way of uniting a war-torn Europe, the Eurovision Song Contest began in 1956. The first competition was held in Lugano, Switzerland. Seven countries took part; the voting was done in secret; countries could vote for themselves, and shockingly, Switzerland won. The contest has been held every year since then, except for 2020, when COVID-19 ruined everything for everyone.’