In this country the Eurovision Song Contest is more alive than anywhere else in Europe
Preparations for the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel are in full swing. It is one of the most watched and discussed television events in Europe, which in one country in particular is almost seen as a national holiday.
Every year, millions of Swedes look forward to the Eurovision Song Contest. They have their own Melodifestivalen , a preliminary round in which the country chooses the entry for the song contest. The whole country is involved and it is the talk of the town for many Swedes.
With iconic winners like ABBA and Loreen, the country has a reputation to uphold. And it succeeds: Sweden has been one of the top favorites for years and has managed to win no less than seven times – a record that only Ireland can match.
Text continues below the video in which Claude reveals more about his performance.
ABBA's victory in 1974 had a huge impact on the Swedish music industry and sentiment around the Eurovision Song Contest. ABBA's victory is seen as a turning point in the popularity of the contest in Sweden.
The festival broadcasts consistently attract millions of viewers, with many Swedes planning their evening around it, complete with snacks, voting rounds and extensive discussions about staging and outfits.
This year Sweden has chosen a surprising entry: the Finnish group KAJ with the song 'Bara Bada Bastu'. It is the first time since 1998 that Sweden has sent a song in its own language to the Eurovision Song Contest. The bookmakers estimate their chances of winning are high, which once again increases expectations for Sweden.
Watch the Swedish entry here:
The first semi-final, with Sweden and the Netherlands, can be followed live on NPO 1 from 21:00 on May 13. The second semi-final is on May 15 and the grand finale on May 17.
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