The Eurovision Song Contest is one of the longest-running talent competitions in the world. Since 1956, the annual televised contest has brought together competitors and audiences from countries across Europe to pick a favorite new song. The annual television audience has been estimated at 1 billion. All countries that are members of the European Broadcasting Union, even some that are not in Europe, are eligible to compete. Each country chooses one song and performer for the competition. The songs are then performed on television and viewers across all participating countries vote for their favorites.
History
The first Eurovision Song Contest took place on May 24, 1956. Seven countries participated in the competition. These pioneers were Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, and Switzerland. In the early years of the competition the songs were sung with a live orchestra. Today no live instruments are allowed. All songs are sung with taped instrumental backing tracks. However, no taped vocals are permitted. All singing is done live.
Until 2004 all participants performed the songs in one show. Now a semifinal is used. This breaks the competition into two slightly shorter, more manageable, segments for the audience. Although Eurovision does not have a strong record for rewarding high quality music, it remains one of the most popular musical events in the world.
Contestants
For 2006, 37 countries are taking part. The countries with performer and song are listed below:
- Albania: Luiz Ejilli - Zjarr E Ftohte
- Andorra: Jenny - Sense Tu
- Armenia: Andre - Without Your Love
- Belarus: Polina Smolova - Mum
- Belgium: Kate Ryan - Je T'Adore
- Bosnia & Herzegovina: Hari Mata Hari - Lejla
- Bulgaria: Mariana Popova - Let Me Cry
- Croatia: Severina - Moja Stikla
- Cyprus: Annet Artani - Why Angels Cry
- Denmark: Sidsel Ben Semmane - Twist of Love
- Estonia - Sandra Oxenryd - Through My Window
- Finland - Lordi - Hard Rock Hallelujah
- France - Virginie Pouchin - Il Est Temps
- Fyr Macedonia - Elena Risteska - Ninanajna
- Germany - Texas Lightning - No No Never
- Greece - Anna Vissi - Everything
- Iceland - Silvia Night - Congratulations
- Ireland - Brian Kennedy - Every Song Is a Cry for Love
- Israel - Eddie Butler - Together We Are One
- Latvia - Vocal Group Cosmos - I Hear Your Heart
- Lithuania - LT United - We Are Winners
- Malta - Fabrizio Faniello - I Do
- Moldova - Aresenium featuring Natalia Gordenko and Connect-R - Loca
- Monaco - Severine Ferrer - La Coco-Dance
- Netherlands - Treble - Amanbanda
- Norway - Christine Guldbrandsen - Alvedansen
- Poland - Ich Troje - Follow My Heart
- Portugal - Nonstop - Coisas De Nada
- Romania - Mihai Traistariu - Tornero
- Russia - Dima Bilan - Never Let You Go
- Slovenia - Anzej Dezan - Mr. Nobody
- Spain - Las Ketchup - Bloody Mary
- Sweden - Carola - Invincible
- Switzerland - Six4One - If We All Give a Little
- Turkey - A. Sibel Tuzun - Super Star
- Ukraine - Tina Karol - Show Me Your Love
- United Kingdom - Daz Sampson - Teenage Life
