A mosaic made up of artists who should have participated in Eurovision 2020 and artists who participated in past editions. – NPO / NOS / AVROTROS
- The Eurovision 2020 final should have been held on Saturday. However, the competition was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
- Instead, some 40 channels from around the world will broadcast “Europe Shine A Light”, a special program that will allow, among other things, to hear the songs that should have competed this year.
- The show will be broadcast on France 2 from 9 p.m. Stéphane Bern will provide comments, surrounded by former contest participants and commentators.
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This year, for the first time since its launch in 1956, theEurovision has withdrawn due to the Covid-19 pandemic. At least, in its competition version because, on Saturday evening, instead of the final which should have been held in Rotterdam (Netherlands), it is a special program, entitled Europe Shine A Light, which will resonate in European homes. “We will keep the light on, we maintain the flame,”
Stéphane Bern, who will comment on the evening on
France 2. It’s good to ensure the continuity of the event in this way. Europe must show solidarity, we must show our solidarity. “
“This year more than ever, let’s celebrate music together! “
With @TomLeebOfficial we will meet you on Saturday evening, live, for “Europe #ShineALight“: the great Eurovision concert! pic.twitter.com/oBjEzL4lzf
– France 2 (@ France2tv) May 13, 2020
Diodato, the singer who should have represented Italy, think the same. “In this difficult time, it is important to feel that we are part of the same whole,” he said at a virtual press conference on Thursday. And the Italian is delighted with this special program which “breaks down barriers and walls” and “proves that music can really bring people together. “
However, there must be a reason, the competition aspect and the distribution of “12 points” that goes with it, will not be topical this year. The forty-one songs, representing as many countries, which should have been in the running, will be honored during the evening. The candidates will not interpret them in full but will give an overview. Diodato thus recorded his performance in the mythical arenas of Verona, completely empty. The image will be striking.
A surprise from Tom Leeb
“The artists will also all come together via Skype and sing Love Shine A Light “Explains Stéphane Bern. For neophytes of the competition, Love Shine A Light is the piece with which Katrina and The Waves gave the UK its last victory. It was in the last century, in 1997. This title was chosen for its unifying dimension in this troubled context. The lyrics are about illuminating every corner of the world and making everyone shine the light of love.
Tom leeb, Who should have defended French chances, will obviously be in this virtual choir. “It will also surprise us,” warns Stéphane Bern. France 2 plans to enhance the program, produced by Dutch television, with its sauce. The channel has chosen to call on former contestants (Bilal Hassani, Madame Monsieur, Natasha St Pier, Nana Mouskouri…) and ex-commentators (Jean Paul Gaultier, Laurent Ruquier, Dave, Cyril Féraud, Olivier Minne , Mireille Dumas…).
“I’m going to take the air around 8:50 pm, to ask them for a reaction on what we are going through. During the show, there will be videos, blah, so we will do something more French. There will also be three breaks planned for pubs, but as there will not be any on France 2, we will continue to chat, “said Stéphane Bern.
Alumni and fans
Former Eurovision winners will also appear during the evening. Among them, the Dutchman Duncan Laurence and the Israeli Netta, winners in 2019 and 2018, will perform their new songs. Gali Hatari will take over Hallelujah the song with which she triumphed for Israel in 1979, with a choir of former Eurovision Junior participants. Johnny Logan, the only artist to have won two victories (in 1980 and 1987), will also be there.
Europe Shine A Light will therefore be an opportunity to celebrate Eurovision yesterday and today. Fans of the competition, the Eurofans, will also have the opportunity to push the song. “The fact that the competition is not taking place is painful for them,” notes Stéphane Bern. Some spend 5,000 euros on hotel, accommodation and transport. It’s their vacation week. But this year, it’s the same for everyone: the spirit of Eurovision will only be lived in our living rooms.
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