Geopolitics Meets Pop Culture: Eurovision Song Contest Semi-final 1 Live from Liverpool

Tuesday, May 9, 11:45 a.m.–2 p.m.
International Student Center Lounge, Pavilion 160 (via door on south side, across from the Student Center)

Drop by to watch the collision of pop culture and geopolitics for the first semi-final of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.

Eurovision began in 1956 to test live broadcast technology, while also bringing together the countries of war-torn Europe through a common love of music.

And because of war today, last year’s winner, Ukraine, is unable to host, so the UK is running this technically “nonpolitical” show on Ukraine’s behalf. Expect plenty of references to peace, unity, and democracy.

Reaching 160 million viewers, Eurovision is the most watched TV entertainment show in the world, featuring 37 countries from Iceland to Israel and Portugal to Azerbaijan – plus Australia.

Bring your lunch (and all your Eurovision questions) and join students, staff and faculty to watch the first semi-final live from Liverpool, where 15 nations compete for 10 places in Saturday’s Grand Final. Stay for as much or as little as you like.

The live show itself starts at noon PST, featuring Moldovan folk-pop, Portuguese cabaret, Maltese funk, Serbian indie techno-pop, Finnish metal-rap and much more.

Co-sponsored by International Studies and the International Student Center.

For more information, contact David Green at greend@seattleu.edu.