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How does it all work?
Things have changed a bit since the first contest in 1956. Once attracting only seven countries to compete, Eurovision now pulls in entries from nearly 40 delegations. Here we run through the basics of how the contest works.
The Show Format
The format of the show changed in 2004 with the introduction of a semi-final. As rousing and entertaining as the entries always prove to be, watching all of them in one sitting was perhaps too much for the millions who watched in 2003.
This year 23 countries will perform in the semi with the highest-scoring ten countries going through to the final. The running order of both shows, and scoring order, is decided by random draw.
Automatic Qualification
As major financial contributors of the contest, France, Germany, Spain and the UK are granted direct entry into the final, bypassing the semi-final stage. The winner and nine highest scoring countries from the previous year's contest also head straight for the final - this year they are Greece, Croatia, Denmark, Israel, Latvia, Malta, Moldova, Norway, Romania and Switzerland.
This year Ireland have to make it through the semi-final, and without the golden touch of Johnny Logan who knows if they'll make it? It's nail-biting stuff.
Scoring System
Each country is asked to give points to their favourite entry, allocating 12 points to their favourite entry, 10 points to their second favourite entry, and 8 down to 1 point to their third to tenth favourites. A country can give its points to any other country who they believe deserves them. No points can be awarded to their own performer.
This year each country's 1 to 7 point votes will be added to the scoreboard as that country's spokesperson is introduced, with only the 8, 10 and 12-point scores being broadcast.
 What do you think about this change?
Have your say on the Eurovision messageboard.
The Main Event
The Contest is shown on TV in all competing countries, with fifty transmission cabins set up in Kiev in 2005, reaching over 100 million viewers. The show also has a huge live audience. Last year 8,500 tickets were sold for the final and 8,000 for the semi-final!
The Winners
The winning delegation not only wins the accolade of best song for the year, they also host the preceding Eurovision Song Contest. So, last year Helena Paparizou won for Greece, and brought Eurovision to Athens for 2006!
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