Eurovision Song Contest Ukraine 2017

After Jamala won the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 in Sweden with 1944, the 2017 contest was held in Kyiv, Ukraine. It was the second time Ukraine hosted the contest. 42 countries took part. The first semi-final was held on 9 May, the second on 11 May and the Grand Final on 13 May. Salvador Sobral from Portugal won with Amar Pelos Dois and 758 points, 143 points ahead of Bulgaria. It was the highest score in the history of the contest at the time and Portugal’s first victory since its debut in 1964.

Russia withdrew from the contest after Ukraine banned its representative, Yulia Samoylova, from entering the country because she had travelled to Crimea to perform. The EBU said it was deeply disappointed in the decision and offered Russia the chance to let her perform from Russia by satellite.

During the interval of the Grand Final, a man draped in an Australian flag ran onto the stage at the beginning of Jamala’s performance and showed his bare behind to the audience. He was quickly removed by security.

Sources: EBU: Portugal wins Eurovision Song Contest 2017; Eurovision.tv: EBU offers Russian singer opportunity to perform via satellite; Eurovision.com: Kyiv 2017; Wikipedia: Eurovision Song Contest 2017 (the stage invasion).