Hi John and Doves,
The Eurovision song contest is HUGE in Europe. 41 countries compete for the prize. The winner's country gets to host the next Eurovision contest, the following year. Israel won last year - hence they are hosting it this year. I am not a fan - the music is predominantly dreadful (bar a few wonderful songs that have emerged from the contest in the days of yore). The UK hasn't presented her best for a long time. If we did - we'd blow them all out of the water. We don't send our Adele or Ed Sheeran or Rag n' Bone man or any of our top divas. We send little known rubbish - which has taken us out of the running for a long time now. It has become grossly political. All the countries score each other and the UK often gets " Nul Points" - meaning no points. Say it with a French accent - it is even more biting, insulting and hurtful..haha. I say it with a smile as viewers in the UK watch it for laughs. Call it playful masochism, if you will. The rest of Europe do NOT like us. *peels of laughter*.
Think about this ... Eurovision attracts an average of 183 million viewers world wide. That is a lot of people. Then there's the timing! May 14th !! Then there's the current politics !! The USA, NATO, Russia, Iran, Turkey etc., are all there. Surrounding Israel. The radical Islamists are furious that Israel is hosting this "prestigious" event....saying that "Israel is not Europe".. Forgetting that Russia Turkey etc, have entrants to this competition. They have done for years. They aren't Europe either.
41 countries have entrants. Over 183 million people will be watching it on live television. Huh! Just do a google search and read all the fizz and anticipation re this event. The situation is RIPE for something to happen.
I have included a link that has some details from an Israeli newspaper. Interesting! The 2nd liink gives you all the details. The venue - the names of the 41 countries etc. It is very revealing.
Eurovision Song Contest 2019: Tel Aviv