congratulations

A number of broadcasters across Europe submitted proposals to host this event. Initially, the BBC were chosen to host the event in Birmingham, but they then announced they did not want to even broadcast the show. The EBU were also dismayed at the French withdrawal. The proposal submitted by Denmark's DR was then chosen and Copenhagen was selected as the host city. In total, thirty broadcasters aired the event.

To coincide with the event, the EBU released two double-cd albums containing all the winners and favourites throughout the past 50 Years of the contest and also two DVDs with the original Eurovision performances. Those interested were also able to purchase the Congratulations Box Set containing bot DVDs and CDs.

The Songs

Eurovision fans voted online for their ten favourite Eurovision songs of all time, and the EBU added four more of their own selection (it was originally assumed that this was to ensure that the Big 4 were represented, but this is unclear as no French entries were chosen). These songs were mostly Eurovision winners, with some second and third place finishers as well.

These songs along with others were performed on the night (in edited form, usually with a middle verse edited out) by special dancers on stage, and a live orchestra, while in the background a tape was shown of the original performance. In some cases the original singer made an appearance at the conclusion of the song, these were: Johnny Logan (at the conclusion of Hold Me Now,) the Olsen Brothers, Dana International, Brotherhood of Man, Sertab Erener, and Amaya, Carlos and José from Mocedades (out of six members). Greece's 2005 winner, Helena Paparizou performed her song live on stage.

ITALY 1958 - "Nel Blu Di Pinto di Blu (Volare)"

• Performed at Eurovision by Domenico Modugno
• Music composed by Domenico Modugno
• Lyrics written by Franco Migliacci and Domenico Modugno
• Finished 3rd at Eurovision

LUXEMBOURG 1965 - "Poupée De Cire, Poupée De Son"

• Performed at Eurovision by France Gall
• Music and Lyrics by Serge Gainsbourg
• Finished 1st at Eurovision

UNITED KINGDOM 1968 - "Congratulations"

• Performed at Eurovision by Cliff Richard
• Music and Lyrics by Phil Coulter & Bill Martin
• Finished 2nd at Eurovision

SPAIN 1973 - "Eres Tú"

• Performed at Eurovision by Mocedades
• Music and Lyrics by Juan Carlos Calderon
• Finished 2nd at Eurovision

SWEDEN 1974 - "Waterloo"

• Performed at Eurovision by ABBA
• Music composed by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus
• Lyrics written by Stikkan Anderson
• Finished 1st at Eurovision

UNITED KINGDOM 1976 - "Save All Your Kisses For Me"

• Performed at Eurovision by Brotherhood Of Man
• Music and Lyrics by Tony Hiller, Lee Sheridan and Martin Lee
• Finished 1st at Eurovision

IRELAND 1980 - "What's Another Year?"

• Performed at Eurovision by Johnny Logan
• Music and Lyrics by Shay Healy
• Finished 1st at Eurovision

GERMANY 1982 - "Ein Bißchen Frieden"

• Performed at Eurovision by Nicole
• Music composed by Ralph Siegel
• Lyrics written by Bernd Meinunger
• Finished 1st at Eurovision

IRELAND 1987 - "Hold Me Now"

• Performed at Eurovision by Johnny Logan
• Music and Lyrics by Sean Sherrard (aka Johnny Logan)
• Finished 1st at Eurovision

SWITZERLAND 1988 - "Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi"

• Performed at Eurovision by Celine Dion
• Music composed by Atilla Sereftug
• Lyrics written by Nella Martinetti
• Finished 1st at Eurovision

ISRAEL 1998 - "Diva"

• Performed at Eurovision by Dana International
• Music composed by Svika Pik
• Lyrics written by Yoav Ginai
• Finished 1st at Eurovision

DENMARK 2000 - "Fly On The Wings Of Love"

• Performed at Eurovision by the Olsen Brothers
• Music and lyrics by Jorgen Olsen
• Finished 1st at Eurovision

TURKEY 2003 - "Every Way That I Can"

• Performed at Eurovision by Sertab Erener
• Music composed by Demir Demirkan and Sertab Erener
• Lyrics written by Demir Demirkan

Finished 1st at Eurovision

GREECE 2005 - "My Number One"

• Performed at Eurovision by Helena Paparizou
• Music composed by Christos Dantis
• Lyrics written by Natalia Germanou and Christos Dantis
• Finished 1st at Eurovision

The Show

The show started with the traditional Eurovision “Te Deum” theme followed by a message from Cliff Richard. After a quick montage of all 14 songs, the orchestra begins playing “Ding Dinge Dong” (Netherlands 1975), with dancers on stage. "A-ba-ni-bi" (Israel 1978), "C'est Le Dernier Qui A Parlé" (France 1991), and "Dschinghis Khan" (Germany 1979) are also played and accompanied by choreography, which was then followed by “Love Shine A Light” (UK 1997) sung by the co-host, Katrina Leskanich, who came out with flag holders of all the nations who ever participated in Eurovision.

Throughout the telecast, a number of highlights segments were presented which showed montages of various Eurovision performances which were either interesting, notable or unorthodox. There were 6 assortments, which were under the categories described by the hosts as 'past winners', 'political, daring, larger than life', 'cute men', 'unforgettable interpretation of dance', 'girlpower' and 'close/narrow second place finishers'. A number of high-profile Eurovision artists returned to help introduce and present the show, these were: Carola Häggkvist, Massiel, Dana International, Birthe Wilke, Anne-Marie David, Sandra Kim, Elisabeth Andreassen, Hanne Krogh, Olsen Brothers, Emilija Kokić, Marie Myriam, Sertab Erener, Cheryl Baker and Lys Assia. Cliff Richard and Nicole gave pre-recorded messages as they were unable to attend.

During the show, there were many presentations by various guest artists during the voting and tallying period. These consisted of the Finnish shouting choir Mieskuoro Huutajat, Riverdance (the 1994 interval act), Ronan Keating (the 1997 co-host), and Johnny Logan, singing his new single When a Woman Loves a Man, as well as an appearance by the Belgian duo of 1973, Nicole & Hugo.

There were three medleys, consisting of performances of past Eurovision songs. The first consisted of : Dana International, singing Parlez-vous Francais (originally performed by Baccara for Luxembourg in Eurovision Song Contest 1978); Carola Haggkvist, singing Främling (1983, 3rd place); Alsou, singing Solo (2000, 2nd); Fabrizio Faniello, singing Another Summer Night (2001 9th); Marie Myriam, singing L'Amour est bleu (originally performed by Vicky Leandros for Luxembourg in 1967); Richard Herrey, singing Let me be the one (originally performed by The Shadows for United Kingdom in 1975; and Tomas Thordarson, singing Vi Maler Byen Roed (originally performed by Birthe Kjær for Denmark in 1989).

The second consisted of: Gali Atari, singing Hallelujah (1979, winner); Bobbysocks, singing La Det Swinge (1985, winner); Anne-Marie David, singing Après Toi (originally sung by Vicky Leandros for Luxembourg in 1972, winner); Lys Assia, singing Refrain (1956, winner), Sandra Kim singing Non ho l'Eta (originally sung by Gigliola Cinquetti for Italy in 1964, winner) and Bucks Fizz singing Making your Mind Up (1981).

The final medley was sung by Eimear Quinn, Charlie McGettigan, Jakob Sveistrup and Linda Martin, the winners of 1996, 1994 and 1992 Eurovision winners, and for Sveistrup, the 2005 Danish representative. All four acted as backup singers during the show.

Results

In two rounds of voting, the public and juries selected their favorite song. Each country awarded 12, 10, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 for their most popular songs, and they were allowed to vote for songs which had represented their country. The top five songs were then subjected to another round of voting, with the same points system. The following is a list of the final standings.

External links

• The official Congratulations website
• Results from the official Eurovision Song Contest website
• BBC News Coverage