The Eurovision Song Contest is one of the world’s most watched non-sporting events and among the largest music competitions on the planet. This year’s warbling participants are taking to the stage this week in Liverpool to perform original songs in front of an international audience. With the theme #UnitedbyMusic, the 2023 Eurovision sfida (challenge) will culminate in the grand finale on Saturday, May 13, expected to be viewed by almost 7 million Italians. 

Said to be modeled after the Festival di Sanremo, the first Eurovision Song Contest was held on May 24, 1956, in the Swiss-Italian town of Lugano and was hosted in Italian. Since its inauguration, Eurovision has grown in popularity and is now watched by music lovers across the planet.