The competition born to bring post-war Europe together is in a state of fracture as five countries, including Ireland, boycott next week’s event. Fans and former winners weigh in on whether the show can go on
‘Clear conflict’: Nemo, who won Eurovision in 2024 for Switzerland, returned their trophy in December in protest at Israel’s inclusion. Photo: Jens Büttner/Getty
In 2016, 60 years after the first Eurovision took place in Lugano Switzerland, ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus presented song contest bosses with the Charlemagne Prize highlighting its contribution to European unity.
The contest was born in the aftermath of World War II – when Europe had been torn apart by bloodshed and terror. Eurovision’s aim was to bring people together through musical culture. And for many years, it was successful in that idealistic goal. Today, the contest’s official slogan is ‘United by Music’.