May the best song win

For over sixty years, the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) has united countries, peoples, cultures—and a continent—through a shared love for our universal language: music.

Each participating country perform live their national song which is simultaneously broadcast in a spectacular live show to be seen and heard around the world. Competing acts perform sequentially before Europe is invited to cast their votes and pick their winning song.

The votes of the each country are split equally between the viewing public and a jury of musical professionals. The results are announced live on the night: every Eurovision ends with a new Grand Prix champion.

Arising out of humble beginnings, hundreds of millions of people now stream and tune-in to the world's biggest music contest every year, and hear the iconic words: "Good evening, Europe!"

An icon of the Eurovision Song Contest: the handmade glass microphone, handed to the winner of the world's biggest music contest. (Photo: EBU)