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The winners, shockers, hosts, politics, trivia: everything youve ever wanted to know about almost 5 decades of Eurovision. Viewed by 600 million people in 35 countries, Eurovision is the worlds biggest and most watched song festival. It is an event not unlike the Olympics. It has been screening every year since 1956 in most European countries and holds the record for the longest running program on television. Last year on SBS the contest attracted 1.6 million viewers nationally. Just a decade after WWII, it brought the people of Europe together to celebrate their belief in love, hope and appalling pop songs. Much more than just a song contest, its become a cult event. Stars are born during the spectacular show and the event has produced some legendary names and icons of kitsch: Abba, Bucks Fizz, Gina G., Sandie Shaw, Brotherhood of Man, Celine Dion, Katrina and the Waves and Lulu. THIS IS SWEDEN CALLING is your indispensable guide to almost five decades of Eurovision the winners, shockers, hosts, politics, trivia everything youve ever wanted to know about Eurovision. For example, how on earth does Israel make it into the contest when it's not even a European country?!