Renowned for its glitzy stage costumes and vibrant performances, the Eurovision Song Contest is ready to launch its first Asia edition. Broadcasters from ten countries, including South Korea, Bhutan, Thailand, and the Philippines, are confirmed participants. According to the contest's website, more countries are expected to join.
As part of this new format, each participating country will host their national selections, leading up to a grand final event in Bangkok, scheduled to be broadcast live on November 14.
Having first occurred in 1956, Eurovision is the world’s longest-running international music competition, and with the 70th anniversary at hand, the initiative to include Asian nations marks a significant cultural milestone. Martin Green, director of the Eurovision Song Contest at the EBU, emphasized this sentiment, stating, As we mark the 70th anniversary of the Eurovision Song Contest, it feels especially meaningful to open this next chapter with Asia, a region rich in culture, creativity, and talent.
The competition requires all songs to be original with live vocals, judged by both music experts and fans. Eurovision has historically propelled the careers of famous artists like ABBA and Celine Dion, showcasing a wide range of musical styles to over 163 million viewers last year.
Despite its celebratory nature, the contest has also faced political challenges, with certain countries boycotting it and the exclusion of Russia since 2022. Yet, calls for an Asian version have been around since the 2000s, with this iteration being the first to materialize successfully.
As Thailand’s tourism authority states, Bangkok is fitting as the host city due to its rich cultural landscape and vibrant atmosphere, making it a natural choice for such an event.
