Eurovision have announced a special show to honour the 2020 contestants.
Last month, the European Broadcasting Union announced that the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest – which had been due to take place in Rotterdam in May – had been cancelled because of coronavirus.
Instead, the EBU and its Dutch Members NPO, NOS and AVROTROS have confirmed there will be a new show airing in its place.
Eurovision: Europe Shine A Light will be broadcast at 9pm CEST on Saturday, May 16; on what should have been the Grand Final.
The show will honour all 41 songs, in a non-competitive format, and provide plenty of surprises for fans and viewers at home.
The show will be hosted by Dutch Eurovision presenters Chantal Janzen, Edsilia Rombley (Eurovision 1998 and 2007) and Jan Smit.
Eurovision: Europe Shine A Light intends to bring together all of the 2020 contestants, from each of their locations across Europe, to perform a former Eurovision hit.
The song, according to the Eurovision, has “unifying lyrics appropriate for the current situation we find ourselves in.”
Well-known Eurovision artists from recent years will also be invited to participate in the show, linking Europe through other familiar songs from the past – some of which will be performed in iconic European locations.
The show is expected to last for around two hours and will be broadcast on the Eurovision’s official YouTube channel.
“Sadly there will be no Eurovision Song Contest this year. Instead, we intend to unite Europe on 16 May with a unique prime-time TV programme,” Jon Ola Sand, Executive Supervisor of the Contest on behalf of the EBU, said.
“We are encouraging all broadcasters who were due to take part in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, and EBU Members in other countries, to air this show in the spirit of unity and togetherness.”
“We want to make a show that puts a spotlight not only on the 41 artists that were due to appear in Rotterdam but also inspire those at home and connect people from across Europe and beyond in these difficult times,” Sietse Bakker, Executive Producer Event of what would have been the 65th Eurovision Song Contest, added.
“Of course, we will also honour those who are affected by the coronavirus crisis and those who work so hard to fight it. Let’s make this an unforgettable moment in Eurovision history!”
