- Welcome to the live blogging of Eurovision: Europe Shine A Light
- With a very sentimental opening of empty capital cities across Europe, we go to Hilversum media park where the hosts, Chantal, Edsilia and Jan welcome us, reminding us that AHOY Arena has been transformed into a COVID-19 hospital.
- Hilversum hosted the 1958 Eurovision Song Contest edition where one of the most famous songs competed. It was Volare, by Domenico Modugno for Italy which ranked 2nd and aired twice because some countries couldn’t see the broadcast.
- During this live blogging, a pop-up poll will appear in the bottom of this page, so have a say in it.
- The show now goes live with Dublin to get Johnny Logan in the show. The 3 times winner will perform his first-ever participating entry titled WHAT’S ANOTHER YEAR and he will be joined by fans and the three hosts.
- There is one booth in the venue to accommodate the Dutch commentator.
- The presentation of the 41 participating entries, accompanied by the positive message from all artists.
- Time for the first break of 2020 entry presentations as Måns Zelmerlöw presents an acoustic version of Heroes from his home back yard. The song which won the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest edition, due to the juries.
- The hosts present Viki Gabor, the 2019 Junior Eurovision winner and now she is in a live session from PWarsaw, speaking to the viewers.
- One of the best moments of the evening is Gali Atari singing her 1979 Eurovision winner entry in the empty streets of Jerusalem, where she actually won the contest back then. The legendary singer sings the song alongside kids, who participated in the contest.
- Time for a break
- Back from commercials the Italian entrant Diodato is now live from Milan. He is coming after all from the country ith huge COVID-19 casualties. He performed an acoustic version of the 1958 Italian entry, VOLARE from the Verona Arena which was illuminated for this reason.
- Back to the second set of 2020 participating entries and messages from the artists.
- The next guest presented is Marija Serifovic who’s performing MOLITVA in the empty streets of Belgrade. It seems that quarantine has given an excellent opportunity for amazing video scenes which would never be captured in normal times. Marija won with that song, the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest.
- Accompanied by the Dutch Philarmonic Orchestra, a video with illuminated landmarks from all 41 participating countries is presented.
- The third group of 2020 Eurovision participants and their songs are now presented in a video of this “live” show!
- Time for a live session with Michael Schulte, the 2018 Eurovision entrant of Germany who ranked 4th in the Grand Final.
- Michael (Germany 2018) and Isle DeLange (The Netherlands 2014) are now singing together. They will perform the 1982 German winner entry by Nicole.
- Time to move on with the fourth group of 2020 participants.
- The next live guest is Netta, the 2018 Eurovision winner for Israel with the song TOY. She presented her brand new song CUCKOO, a song about… tolerance.
- Time for NikkiTutorial to take over presenting 2020 participants to perform their own version of the 2019 Eurovision entry ARCADE by Duncan Laurence. The 2020 entrants gave their 12 points to the song they loved the most.
- Surprise! we all knew it but it was a… secret. An ABBA member will be live in the show!
- Duncan Laurence is now on stage, live in the studio performing his 2019 Eurovision winner entry and his new single.
- Former Eurovision winners share their memories from the contest.
- The last set of 2020 participants of Eurovision 2020 are presented along with footage of their song and personal message.
- A historic moment for the show and Eurovision itself Bjorn Ulvaeus from ABBA gives his video message in a rare TV appearance! That’s the top (and only) highlight of the show for which EBU definitely deserve, congratulations!
- The show is time to come to an end. Graham Norton is now live from London and everything is set for 41 participants to sing along the 1997 UK winner entry by Katrina and the Waves, LOVE SHINE A LIGHT.
- During the EUROPE SHINE A LIGHT show Dutch hosts confirmed that next year there will be a Eurovision one way or another! EBU confirmed Rotterdam as the host city.
- That’s all folks! Have a great night
