Eurovision Song Contest 2017 – Kyiv, Ukraine

Information on previous Eurovision Song Contests:

2013: Malmo, Sweden
2014: Copenhagen, Denmark
2015: Vienna, Austria
2016: Stockholm, SwedenThe 2017 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest was held on 9, 11 and 13 May 2017 in Kiev, Ukraine. 43 countries were initially expected to take part.

Russia withdrew a few weeks before the contest due to a ban imposed by Ukrainian authorities on the country's representative, Yulia Samoylova, after it emerged she had crossed the Crimean border without Ukraine's authorisation.

Leading up to the contest, media reports also focused on the difficulties by Ukrainian authorities and broadcaster to stick with the calendar of preparations.

The contest was won by Portugal for the first time - it was also the country's first ever top five result. Portugal debuted as a participant in 1964.

• Primary Source

Website: Eurovision Song Contest http://www.eurovision.tv

The Economist, 19.02.17: The Economist explains: Why Ukraine’s Eurovision song contest is in crisis http://www.economist.com/blogs/economist-explains/2017/02/economist-explains-15

The Guardian, 15.02.17: Eurovision 2017: Ukraine warned show must go on as organising team quits https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/feb/15/eurovision-2017-ukraine-warned-as-organising-team-quits

The Conversation: Tag: Eurovision https://theconversation.com/uk/topics/eurovision

EurActiv, 23.03.17: Ukraine-Russia conflict engulfs Eurovision song contest http://www.euractiv.com/section/europe-s-east/news/ukraine-russia-conflict-engulfs-eurovision-song-contest/

BBC News, 22.03.17: Eurovision 2017: Ukraine bars Russian singer Samoilova from contest http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-39354775

EBU: Statement from the EBU regarding Russia's participation in the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=statement_from_the_ebu_regarding_russias_participation_in_the_2017_eurovision_song_contest

The Guardian, 22.03.17: Ukraine bans Russia's Eurovision entrant over Crimea tour https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/mar/22/ukraine-bans-russia-eurovision-entrant-over-crimea-tour

Euronews, 22.03.17: Ukraine bans Russia's Eurovision singer Samoylova http://www.euronews.com/2017/03/22/ukraine-bans-russia-s-eurovision-singer-samoylova

RT, 23.03.17: ‘What threat did they see in little girl like me?’ Disabled Russian Eurovision singer mocks Kiev ban https://www.rt.com/news/381920-eurovision-russia-ban-reaction/

Politico, 13.04.17: Eurovision strikes bum note http://www.politico.eu/article/eurovision-strikes-bum-note-on-ukraine-russia-confrontation-yulia-samoylova/

Politico, 03.05.17: 13 times Eurovision got super political http://www.politico.eu/article/13-times-eurovision-song-contest-got-political/

EurActiv, 11.05.17: Eurovision shines spotlight on LGBT struggle in Ukraine http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/eurovision-shines-spotlight-on-lgbt-struggle-in-ukraine/

The Independent, 14.05.17: Eurovision 2017 streaker identified, isn't actually Australian http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/eurovision-2017-winner-streaker-flasher-australian-ukraine-prankster-vitalii-sediuk-a7735566.html

BBC News, 14.05.17: Eurovision 2017: Portugal's ballad wins contest http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-39911839

The Guardian, 14.05.17: [Opinion] Eurovision 2017 review: gorilla suits, Gypsy hip-hop – and a half-decent winner https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/may/13/eurovision-portugal-gorilla-suit-uk-europe-lucie-jones

The Guardian: Tag: Eurovision 2017 https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/eurovision-2017

Blog: LSE EuroppBlog, 24.05.17: The Eurovision in Ukraine was an exercise in soft power http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2017/05/24/the-eurovision-in-ukraine-was-an-exercise-in-soft-power/

---