Ad

Latest Posts

Everything you need to know about the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest

The 2021 Eurovision Song Contest takes place this week, with the first semi-final kicking off tonight (Tuesday, May 18).

Lesley Roy will be representing Ireland with her song ‘Maps’, performing the track live in front of an audience of 3,500 people at Rotterdam’s Ahoy Arena in the Netherlands.

Australia, Belarus, Lithuania, North Macedonia, Russia, Slovenia, Sweden, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Israel, Malta, Norway, Romania, Ukraine will also compete in tonight’s semi-final.

On Thursday, May 20, the second semi-final will take place, with 18 countries performing on the night.

Austria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Iceland, Moldova, Poland, San Marino, Serbia, Albania, Armenia, Bulgaria, Denmark, Finland, Georgia, Latvia, Portugal, Switzerland will take to the stage in the hopes of getting through to the grand finale on Saturday, May 22.

The theme for the 65th Eurovision Song Contest is ‘Open Up’, inviting people to “open up to others, to different opinions, each other’s stories and of course to each other’s music”.

Executive producer of the event Sietse Bakker said: “We have looked for a theme and slogan that reflect what the Netherlands stands for and which the Dutch can identify with; a country with an open mind to the world, where we speak our mind, with respect for each other.”

“We also found it important to choose a theme that reflects the spirit of our times. People are concerned about increasing polarization and freedom isn’t as self-evident for everyone as it should be.”

“Open up to each other. Open up to music. Open up to Rotterdam. Open up to… whatever you choose! Feel the freedom to complete the slogan in your own way. That way we get to know each other better.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Eurovision Song Contest (@eurovision)

Singer, actress and presenter Chantal Janzen will be hosting the show alongside two-time Eurovision participant Edsilia Rombley, Eurovision commentator Jan Smit and YouTube star Nikkie de Jager – better known by her social media handle NikkieTutorials.

The Eurovision Song Contest Semi-Finals will air on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player on Tuesday, May 18 and Thursday, May 20 at 8pm.

You can also watch the Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final, which takes place on Saturday, May 22 at 8pm, on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.

READ MORE: The most iconic Eurovision performances by Irish entries.

Ad

Latest Posts

Don't Miss