Eurovision Song Contest 2021
Overview
The 2021 Eurovision Song Contest was the 65th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, an international song competition organised annually by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and its member countries. The event took place in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, following the country's victory at the 2019 contest with the song "Arcade" by Duncan Laurence.
Selection of the host city
After the Netherlands won the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest, several Dutch cities, including Amsterdam, Maastricht, and Rotterdam, expressed their interest in hosting the 2021 event. The EBU and the Dutch broadcasters AVROTROS, NPO and NOS ultimately selected Rotterdam as the host city. The contest was held at the Rotterdam Ahoy, a venue with a capacity of approximately 16,000 spectators.
Format
The format of the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 remained largely the same as in previous years, with three live shows: two semi-finals and a grand final. The shows were hosted by Chantal Janzen, Edsilia Rombley, Jan Smit, and NikkieTutorials.
Participating countries
A total of 39 countries participated in the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the EBU allowed pre-recorded backing vocals for the first time in the contest's history. This decision was made to reduce the number of people travelling to Rotterdam and to ensure the contest could go ahead in a safe and responsible manner.
Results
The winner of the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 was the Italian rock band Måneskin with the song "Zitti e buoni". This was Italy's third victory in the contest and their first since 1990.
Impact and legacy
The Eurovision Song Contest 2021 was notable for being the first Eurovision to be held during a global pandemic. Despite the challenges, the event was hailed as a success and a testament to the resilience of the Eurovision community.