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Eurovision this month: Rotterdam 2021, 'Europe Shine A Light' and more!

31 May 2020 at 12:00 CEST
Rotterdam skyline Guido Pijper
In Eurovision this month, we look back on what happened in the world of the Eurovision Song Contest over the past month. In May, 'Eurovision: Europe Shine A Light' was broadcast live from Hilversum, Rotterdam was announced as Host City for the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 and the artwork and slogan for the Junior Eurovision Song Contest were revealed. Read about that, and more in the story below!

This was Eurovision: Europe Shine A Light

Eurovision: Europe Shine A Light was broadcast live from Hilversum, the Netherlands. The 2-hour special honoured participating countries, their artists, music and fans and reached over 70 million viewers around the world.

Produced in its entirety in just under 7 weeks, while still maintaining social distancing guidelines, the show proved to be a true testament to the love for and resilience of the Eurovision Song Contest.

Missed the show, or just want to see it again? Watch below:

During the show, we were treated to music from the 41 talented stars chosen for the 2020 Contest. Between country features, hosts Chantal Janzen, Edsilia Rombley and Jan Smit, and online host NikkieTutorials told the story of the world's biggest live music event to fans around the world.

Read more: Europe shined its light.

It's Rotterdam in 2021!

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and its Dutch Members NPO, NOS and AVROTROS are excited to have reached an agreement to stage the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 in Rotterdam at the Ahoy Arena. The Host City for the 65th Eurovision Song Contest was announced during Eurovision: Europe Shine a Light.

Read more: Rotterdam returns as Eurovision Song Contest Host City in 2021.

We will #MoveTheWorld at Junior Eurovision

In an interval between songs during Eurovision: Europe Shine A Light, Poland's Viki Gabor (winner of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2019) excitedly announced the artwork and slogan, #MoveTheWorld, for Junior Eurovision 2020, which is planned to take place in Poland next November.

The creative concept behind the slogan is that, as children, we mistakenly believe all important things are done by renowned people: scientists, astronauts, athletes and actors. We want to become them because, in our eyes, they are the ones moving the world. But this is not the case: every day, millions of people around the world perform their day-to-day duties with capability and care. Together, they are the ones really moving the world. This year's slogan honours the collective power we hold together.

Read more: It's time to #MoveTheWorld!

Eurovision Song Celebration

Prior to Eurovision: Europe Shine A Light, two shows were aired on YouTube on 12 and 14 May. In the Eurovision Song Celebration shows all songs were played out in full and as per the running order for the Semi-Finals by the producers of Eurovision 2020. Additionally, the viewers were treated to some surprises along the way and fans from all over the world participated in the first-ever fan recaps!

Check out Part one here

Check out Part two here

Eurovision Home Concerts

In April and May, we produced 7 episodes of Eurovision Home Concerts. Each episode featured artists who have been part of the Eurovision family over the years, including the artists from 2020. Each artist could perform their own song and, if they wanted, a cover version of another fan-favourite Eurovision hit.

  • Episode 1, including Ryan O'Shaugnessy, Rasmussen, Tamara Todevska and Slavko Kalezic.
  • Episode 2, including Daði, Montaigne, Vasil, Aksel, Gjon's Tears, Leonora and Jamala.
  • Episode 3, including Jeangu Macrooy, Uku Suviste, Hurricane, Ulrikke, Lesley Roy, Lake Malawi, Victor Crone, Jalisse, Sergey Lazarev and Helena Paparizou.
  • Episode 4, including Damir Kedžo, Elisa, VICTORIA, Stefania, Ana Soklič, Pænda, KEiiNO and Eugent Bushpepa.
  • Episode 5, including Tom Leeb, Senhit, VAL, Zibbz, Samantha Tīna, Sandro, ROXEN, Michael Schulte and Ben Dolic.
  • Episode 6, including The Mamas, Hera Björk, Efendi, Arilena Ara, Lea Sirk, Jedward, Michele, Benny Cristo, James Newman, Blas Cantó, Paula Seling & Ovi, Suzy and SuRie.
  • Episode 7, including Go_A, Eimear Quinn, Imri Ziv, Dami Im, Diodato, Secret Garden, Yohanna, MELOVIN and Dana.

Read more: The making of Eurovision Home Concerts

Little Big's Uno reached 100 million views on YouTube

The Russian song for Eurovision 2020, Uno by Little Big reached a big milestone on the Eurovision YouTube channel. The music video reached 100 million views, making it the fastest-growing video in the history of the channel. Only Netta's Toy has more views at the time of writing. Will Little Big overtake that? Only time will tell.

Dared to Dream - A KAN documentary

In a new docu-series of KAN, the Israeli well-known documentarist Orna Ben-Dor reveals a fascinating sneak peek into the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 in Tel Aviv. The three episodes accompany the tense moments of the Contest, from Netta's win in Lisbon through to the construction of the enormous stage and the rehearsals in Tel Aviv, to the minutes after Duncan Laurence's winning moment at the Grand Final - all captured in a spectacular show.

The three episodes are in Hebrew, but are available with English subtitles. Check them out below:

Episode 1 - The Dreamers

Episode 2 - The Bubble

Episode 3 - Three Minutes Of Fame

Special performance by Serbia's Hurricane

Serbia's Hurricane took to a very special stage on 25 May. Together with Serbian star Jelena Karleusa, they performed on a helipad near Serbia's capital Belgrade and sang Hurricane's Hasta La Vista as well as songs by Jelena. Check out the performance below:

18 acts are confirmed for 2021

14 acts were already confirmed to take part again in Eurovision 2021 and during Eurovision: Europe Shine A Light another 4 were added to that list:

Read more: 18 acts are confirmed for 2021

The 18 confirmed acts for Eurovision 2021 EBU

Other stories you may have missed:

  • Eurovision 2020: Today would have been the first day of rehearsals. Read here.
  • Looking back: How the Opening Ceremony became a Eurovision tradition. Read here.
  • How to host an online Eurovision home party. Read here.
  • Things you might not know about the Eurovision Song Contest. Read here.
  • Breaking down the songs of Eurovision 2020. Read here.
  • When Opening Up became hard. Read here.
  • Europe Shine A Light: A production race against the clock. Read here.
  • 2020: The songs that fit our mood. Read here.

We wish you and your loved ones a safe and healthy month.