Watching Eurovision for the First Time? Here’s What You Need to Know

This isn’t just singing; this is Europe in microcosm

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

To quote Eurovision queen Petra Mede, host of 2024 Eurovision, if you haven’t watched the Eurovision Song Contest before:

Are you insane?! Have you been living under a rock?

In Europe, Eurovision is one of our cultural touchstones, watched by 163 million people every year. But that might not be the case for you. This year may be your first watch.

If that’s the case, may I say on behalf of my beloved Eurovision community, welcome. I think you’ll love it here.

I am a Eurovision superfan. This isn’t a once-a-year night for me; it’s an all-year-round obsession. Some people say Christmas is the best time of the year, but it's Eurovision season for me and my family.

My friend made me a “lead expert” badge for a party I hosted I couple of years ago. My husband was the assistant. Image courtesy of author

People love to hate Eurovision, a 68 year strong contest originally designed to unite Europe in the wake of World War Two. They call it surface level. Terrible music. Too silly. Too political.