Instead of the real Eurovision Song Contest, the replacement show called “Europe Shine A Light” has been send out of the Hilversum TV studios. Regrettably, the original ESC has been cancelled due to the Corona pandemic, this was a sad but needful decision made by the host broadcasters, EBU and the city of Rotterdam.

Instead of the real Eurovision Song Contest, the replacement show called “Europe Shine A Light” has been send out of the Hilversum TV studios. Regrettably, the original ESC has been cancelled due to the Corona pandemic, this was a sad but needful decision made by the host broadcasters, EBU and the city of Rotterdam. Considering that the contest could have not happen in a filled arena with thousands of fans would have been of a too high health risk for everybody involved.

For the singers which have been selected this year this was a nightmare to be crowned in the home countries and at the end they could not go. Luckily a lot of those singer have been declared representatives for 2021.

Therefore the Dutch broadcasters AVROTROS, NOS and NPO have shown a heart-warming two hours live show, filled with Eurovision memories, many specials and a glimpse of the 41 songs of 2020, presented by the hosts Chantal Janzen, Edsilia Rombley and Jan Smit.

These were the highlights:

• Johnny Logan (three times winner for Ireland 1980, 1987 and 1993 as composer)was singing “What’s Another Year” with an online choir
• Måns Zelmerlöw (winner for Sweden 2015) performing “Heroes” as unplugged guitar version
• Announcement of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2020 in Warsaw with the motto “Move The World”
• Gali Atari (winner of 1979 for Israel) singing “Hallelujah” in the empty streets of Jerusalem
• The Dutch Royals wishing everybody health
• Diodato (representative of Italy 2020) performing his entry “Fai Rumore” in the empty arena of Verona
• Marija Šerifović (winner of 2007 for Serbia) singing “Molitva” in the empty streets of Belgrade
• Illuminated monuments of the participating countries
• Ilse DeLange (Dutch representative 2014) together with Michael Schulte (German representative 2018) singing “Ein Bisschen Frieden” (German winning entry from 1982 by Nicole) in the Peace
• Palace (Vredespalais) in The Hague
• Netta (winner from 2018 for Israel) singing “Cuckoo” in her bed
• Duncan Laurance (winner from 2019 for the Netherlands) performing his new song “Someone Else” in the Hilversum TV studio
• Special greetings from:
• Alexander Rybak (winner from Norway 2009)
• Lenny Kuhr (winner from the Netherlands 1969)
• Sandra Kim (winner from Belgium 1986)
• Anne-Marie David (winner for Luxembourg in 1973)
• Niamh Kavanagh (winner for Ireland 1993)
• Getty Kaspers (winner with the band Teach-In for the Netherlands 1975)
• Ell & Niki (winners from Azerbaijan 2011)
• Sergej Lazarev (representative from Russia 2016 and 2019)
• Dana (winner from Ireland 1970)
• Helena Paparizou (winner from Greece 2005)
• Carola (winner from Sweden 1991)
• Conchita Wurst (winner from Austria 2014)
• Björn Ulvaeus (winner with the band ABBA in 1974)
• All artists of 2020 singing “Love Shine A Light” (winning song from 1997 by Katrina & The Waves)

This evening was very special, beautiful and sad in the same way. Good to see that the Eurovision spirit is still alive and can bring people together even in hard times.

Watch the full show again:

Author: Bernd LemmermannEmail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Public relations, Editor, Journalist

About me:
As one of the founders of eurovisionlive.com I am responsible for the interviews with the singers and the editorial content. My passion for the Eurovision Song Contest exists since my early childhood. The exotic music, different cultures and languages have given a lot of inspiration to me. Since my very first ESC in Dublin 1994 I particularly appreciate the get together and friendship of all the nationalities and Riverdance was a thrill!