On May 16, the Eurovision Song Contest celebrated its 70th anniversary in Vienna (Austria) in front of tens of millions of viewers (166 million in 2025). Officially apolitical, explicitly popular, and primarily entertaining, this event is the largest live music television program in the world. It is the subject of multiple geopolitical strategies, sometimes complex and aggressive. The battle for control of the media space complements the battle for geographical supremacy.
Throughout its history, Eurovision has reflected the aspirations of peoples for peace, the ambitions of state supremacy, and their desires for prosperity. Let’s review its social, economic, and geopolitical history. These are milestones in the collective history of Europeans. Eurovision is the soundtrack of the post-war continent’s “great film.”
Like the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC, 1951) and the European Economic Community (EEC, 1957), Eurovision emerged from the rejection of the horrors of World War II. The contest was created in 1956 by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), a Swiss professional association founded in 1950 that brings together audiovisual groups from Western Europe to create a broadcasting area accessible to its members.
Context:
The Eurovision Song Contest is a long-standing international music competition that has been held annually since 1956, bringing together countries across Europe and beyond to showcase their musical talents.
Fact Check:
The Eurovision Song Contest was not specifically started as a response to the horrors of World War II, but it has since become a symbol of unity and peace in Europe.
