The annual celebration of country and song known as the Eurovision Song Contest got underway in Portugal’s capital Saturday night with a paean to the country’s traditional fado music. Accompanied by a Portuguese 12-string guitar and drums, fado singers Ana Moura and Mariza — two of the genre’s biggest stars — opened the contest’s Grand Final at Altice Arena on Saturday night. A lot of thought went into the lineup for the Eurovision Song Contest’s Grand Final. Six countries automatically qualify for the Grand Final: the “Big Five” of France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the U. K., as well as the host country. But it was a short return: Russia’s contestant Julia Samoylova went out in the semifinals, while Ukraine singer Melovin advanced to the Grand Final.

Source: National Post May 12, 2018 10:18 UTC