The UK pledged last year that it would pay tribute to Ukraine, whose Kalush Orchestra won with the song 'Stefania' last year.Ĭontroversy outside of the voting has popped up, as the European Broadcasting Union decided that Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskyy will not be allowed to broadcast a message to the audience. The tradition of the previous year's winners hosting could not happen this year, as Ukraine continues to be at war with Russia.

If this sounds like a smaller pool than in previous years, that's because Bulgaria, Montenegro and North Macedonia bowed out, citing increased financial costs.Įurovision 2023 is happening in Liverpool in the United Kingdom, which is hosting on behalf of last year's winners, Ukraine. There's also neon-soakeed Finnish rapper Käärijä, whose 'Cha Cha Cha' wowed.Ī total of 37 countries began the contest, and that's been whittled down to 26 in the two semi-finals. Watch from anywhere with ExpressVPN (opens in new tab).įavorite songs from the early days include 'Who The Hell Is Edgar?' from Austria's Teya & Salena, which is about Edgar Allen Poe and low royalties from Spotify. The Semi-Finals aired on May 9th and 11th, and are available on-demand. The 2023 Eurovision Song Contest's Grand Final airs today (Saturday, May 13).

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