The ABC has contacted Senator Wong for comment. 'It gives you a bit of hands-on, I mean I've seen it with your prime minister, I was there on that trip … we were able to hear the stories out there, shared people under the Russian occupation.' 'When you visit it gives you a different angle,' Mr Myroshnychenko said. Six countries automatically qualify: last year’s winner and the “Big Five” who pay the most to the contest - France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Britain.Ambassador Vasyl Myroshnychenko told ABC Insiders he wanted Senator Wong to see the war for herself, as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese did in July last year.

Participating countries send acts who are selected through national competitions or by broadcasters. It has grown from seven countries to as many as 40, including non-European nations such as Israel and far-away Australia. Launched in 1956 to foster unity after World War II, Eurovision evolved over the years from a bland ballad-fest to a campy, feelgood extravaganza. Swedish supergroup ABBA shot to fame by winning the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest with “Waterloo.″ The Scandinavian country has won seven times and has staged the competition three times in Stockholm - in 1975, 20, twice in Malmo, and once in Goteborg in 1985. Loreen's 2023 win was Sweden’s seventh victory, matching Ireland’s record. Ireland’s Johnny Logan was the first double winner, in the 1980s. Loreen was only the second person to take the pop crown twice.

The host country usually is the winner of the previous year’s event, but 2022 runner-up Britain hosted this year on behalf of the winner, Ukraine.

In May, Sweden won this year's contest in Liverpool, England, with the power ballad “Tattoo” by Swedish singer Loreen, who also won the 2012 Eurovision. “Malmo was eventually chosen as it met all the criteria,' said executive producer Ebba Adielsson at Sweden's public broadcaster SVT. Sweden’s third largest city - which also hosted the event in 19 - was picked in what organizers called called a “strong bid process” examining venues, accommodations for visitors, infrastructure and other factors. The 68th edition will be held at the Malmo Arena, and the live televised final has been set for May 11, with semi-finals on May 7 and May 9.

STOCKHOLM - The southern Swedish city of Malmo will host the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest in the same venue that housed the colorful and eclectic music competition in 2012, the Swedish organizers said Friday.

Ukraine eurovision 2020