The Eurovision Song Contest, an annual international music competition held among European countries and some non-European ones, reached its grand finale on May 11, 2024. This year's event took place in Malmo, Sweden. The contest is known for its extravagant performances and the unpredictability of the results. Here's a recap of some notable events and participants from this year's competition.
Slovenian singer Raiven performed a Eurovision ballad based on the story of Veronika of Desenice, a lesser-born woman who married into the royal family of 15th Century Slovenia. The song told the tale of Count Herman II of Celje, who accused Veronika of casting a spell and ordered her to be put on trial despite her being found innocent. She was eventually drowned.
Chrissy Wickham, a British choreographer and dancer, was honored at Eurovision for her contributions to the world of dance. Her most notable achievements include creating the role of Ashley in Starlight Express and revealing shorter skirts with Bucks Fizz in 1981.
David Tolan from Scotland, along with his wife Kathryn and daughter Colette, supported Ireland's Bambie Thug during Eurovision. The Tolans were seen cheering on their favorite act during the live broadcast.
Controversies surrounding Israel and Ukraine's participation in the contest sparked protests in Malmo, which has a large Muslim population. Israeli 20-year-old pop star Eden Golan represented her country with the ballad 'Hurricane.'
The Netherlands did not compete in the Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final due to artist Joost Klein's disqualification. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) released a statement that it would not be appropriate for him to continue in the contest while the legal process takes place.
Acts from more than two dozen countries took the stage to compete for Europe's pop music crown. Viewers in participating countries could vote during the competition using website apps, phones, or text messages. Countries were awarded points based on both viewers' votes and rankings from juries of music industry professionals.
The Eurovision Song Contest is a cultural juggernaut that attracts millions of devoted fans worldwide. It offers an exciting competition where singers and rappers represent their countries, perform for votes, and sometimes face controversies. This year's final was no exception.
