The Eurovision Song Contest has been canceled for the first time in its 64-year history.
The global singing contest, which was scheduled to be held in Rotterdam in May, has been canceled due to fears about coronavirus, and in an official statement posted to Twitter, organizers said they “explored many alternative options to allow the Eurovision Song Contest to go ahead” but “restrictions put in place by the governments of the participating broadcasters and the Dutch authorities” made it “impossible.”
Eurovision consistently produces some of the most surreal and avant-garde performances and has made stars out of its former contestants (Epic Sax Guy) and winners (Céline Dion). Last year’s contest ended with a bizarre Madonna performance.
In the FAQ portion of the Eurovision site, organizers responded to a question about why they didn’t just hold it “remotely,” saying it’s the “DNA” of the song contest to bring people together in one place. Still, some submissions have already circulated, and since they apparently can’t be used again in 2021, we’ll have to enjoy them now.
Iceland’s finalist, Gagnamagnið, produced a bop.
And Russia produced this earworm.
Organizers said there are plans to hold the contest in 2021. Perhaps the Will Ferrell Netflix comedy Eurovision, announced last summer, will be released in its stead this year.
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