The event started last night with the first of two semi-finals which aim to whittle 37 competitors down to a 26-song finale, taking place on Saturday. Around 160 million people will tune in to the grand final.
From humble beginnings in 1956, with only seven countries competing in a theatre in Switzerland, the contest is now one of the most-watched entertainment events in the world.
And yet there remains some confusion about what counts as “Europe” in the context of Eurovision. Clarity on this point can, however, be found by understanding a little bit about the rules and practices of international politics.
And along the way, the process of deciding who is in and who is out — and what the rules are for those who do compete — is an interesting reflection of international law.
Participation in the Eurovision Song Contest reflects a basic principle of…
