2017's Eurovision was the 62nd edition of the contest. As Ukraine won the song contest last year in Stockholm, the eastern European country had the opportunity to host the Eurovision Song Contest this year. The contest consisted of two semi-finals that took place on 9 and 11 May; the final contest took place on 13 May 2017.
The contest was at the International Exhibition Center in Kiev, following Ukraine's victory with the song 1944, written and performed by Jamala, marking the second time Eurovision will take place in Kiev. The first one took place in 2005. The Ukrainian capital, however, has hosted other Eurovision-related events before, such as of Junior Eurovision Song Contests in 2009 and 2013.
Artists from forty-three countries participated in the 2017 contest. Despite Portugal and Romania being absent from the 2016 edition, both countries made comeback this year.
Portugal has won this year's Eurovision Song contest.
Salvador Sobral, Lisbon-born 27-year-old did not expect overnight fame and fortune becoming Portugal's first Eurovision winner. The song was written by Sobral's sister, 'Amar Pelos Dois' means 'Love for Both of Us'. Celebrate diversity is the slogan of the competition. Portugal will host the 2018 event.
Over six decades since its foundation, the Eurovision Song Contest has been the birthplace of many famous artists and endearing songs, most notably the Swedish band ABBA and their legendary song Waterloo, respectively. During the past 60 years, more than 1,400 songs have taken part in the Eurovision Song Contest.
Some of the records of the contest are as follows: Every year, an estimate of 180 million viewers watch the Eurovision Song Contest. In 2008 and 2011, a record number of 43 countries participated.
The country that has broken the record of winning the higher number of times is Ireland. The green country has won 7 times. It is followed by Sweden, which has won 6 times. Then Luxembourg ties with France and the United Kingdom in that they have won 5 times.
Poland made the most impressive debute in 1994, after Edyta Gorniak came 2nd with To Nie Ja. Another country that made an impressive debutant show was Serbia in 2007. This year marked the first time Serbia partook as an independent country, as it had taking part in the contest twice before as Serbia & Montenegro.
Although Norway has won the contest three times, it holds the unfortunate title of being the country that has been at the bottom of the list more than any other. Eleven times Norway has come last: 1963, 1969, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1981, 1990, 1997, 2001, 2004 and in the Grand Final of 2012.
Most winning songs were performed in English, a total of 26 times. Songs (mostly) in English are followed by songs in French (14 victories). Dutch and Hebrew songs won 3 times each.
The Eurovision contest has also brought about some legends in the music business, most notably ABBA, the most successful Eurovision Song Contest winner. The Swedish pop band took over the world after winning the contest in 1974.
Domenico Mudugno's Nel Blu Di Pinto Di Blu - also known as Volare - is the most covered Eurovision Song Contest song. Stars like David Bowie and Dean Martin have covered the song.