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Eurovision Song Contest 2022: summary of the three evenings

The highlights of the three evenings and the final winner

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The Eurovision Song Contest is "the largest European song contest created in 1956 by the EBU (European Broadcasting Union)"  "which in more than 65 years has become one of the largest television entertainment events in the world".

The 66th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest was held at the Turin Olympic Stadium in three evenings: 10, 12 and 14 May. Leading, in English, were Laura Pausini, Alessandro Cattelan and Mika, while the comments in Italian were entrusted to Cristiano Malgioglio, Carolina di Domenico and Gabriele Corsi. Initially there were 41 countries competing, but following the invasion of Ukraine, Russia was disqualified.

 
 
 
 
 
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Un post condiviso da Laura Pausini Official (@laurapausini)

On the first evening of Tuesday, May 10, 17 countries competed and the audience had to decide what was their favorite performance provided they respected a very important rule: you could not vote on the song brought by their country. The 10 countries whose performances could impress the audience would go to the final on Saturday along with the 10 most voted on Thursday night.

Italy was represented by the winning duo of the Sanremo Festival: Mahmood and Blanco with their song "Brividi". They did not participate in the semi-finals because they were automatically in the final when Italy is part of the "big five" along with France, Spain, Germany and the United Kingdom, that is the countries that are the main organizers of the event and for this reason they are advantaged.

 
 
 
 
 
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During the first evening, the song "Stefania" of the Kalush Orchestra of Ukraine was very much appreciated. In fact, he received an exciting standing ovation and reminded all viewers that Ukrainian culture and music exist. 

Even Diodato has finally performed on the stage of the Eurovision Song Contest with his moving "Fai rumore". It was scheduled to compete in 2020, but the rally was cancelled for the Covid-19 emergency. However, the performance was replaced by a non-competitive show at the Verona Arena in front of the completely empty audience.

 
 
 
 
 
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In the second evening the other 18 countries performed and only 10 have had access to the final on Saturday.

Much awaited was the performance of Achille Lauro who represented San Marino with his song "Stripper". He appeared on a mechanical bull and went wild with his partner Boss Doms (the obligatory kiss). However, his performance was not appreciated by the audience and was eliminated.

 
 
 
 
 
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Even Emma Muscat, Maltese, but "renamed" Italian by the audience, performed her song "I am what I am" playing piano. She’s been eliminated, too.

The evening ended with the duel of Laura Pausini and Mika who sang "Fragile" by Sting and "People have the power" by Patti Smith, praising peace.

Super guests Il Volo with their song "Grande amore" closed the evening. Gianluca Ginoble was not physically present (because of Covid) but he appeared thanks to the giant screens that projected him behind his comrades.

The audience was eagerly awaiting the evening of Saturday 14 May to discover the winner of Eurovision. Laura Pausini opens the dance with a multi-lingual medley of 5 of her hits: "Benvenuto", "Le cose che vivo", "Io canto", “La solitudine” and the last single “Scatola”.

Among the various performances, finally there were those of the big five. The duo Mahmood and Blanco, who represented Italy, were highly anticipated and their "Brividi" made the audience go wild, who sang it in unison. The embrace between the two ended in style their exciting performance.

Ukraine represented by Kalush Orchestra was the favorite country. With their song "Stefania" they represented their habits and customs and called for the help of all so that the war in their country can end.

After completing all the performances, the vote was given away both in the jury and at home. To help vote, a summary of all 35 nations that had performed on stage was aired. Before declaiming the winner, they returned as special guests Maneskin with their new single "Supermodel" that, once again, left the audience stunned. After the performance, they were interviewed by Alessandro Cattelan about their successes and giving valuable advice to the competitors of this edition. One of them is not to get too close to the tables, alluding to last year’s episode in France when they were accused of taking drugs live.

 
 
 
 
 
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Un post condiviso da Rai Eurovision (@raieurovision)

The special guest who made me go back in time is Gigliola Cinquetti who won the Eurovision in 1964 with her "Non ho l'età", a song re-proposed and reworked 58 years later.

Mika also performed a medley of his hits "Love Today", "Grace Kelly", "Yo Yo" and "Happy Ending" before the telecast closed. After counting the votes, unfortunately Italy is only sixth. On the podium climb Spain in third place and the United Kingdom in second. Ukraine triumphs in first place, fulfilling all the predictions that saw it as the winner. It is a musical victory, but it also alludes to the peace that we hope will soon take place in Ukraine. It will then be there that we hope we can play the 67th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest.

 
 
 
 
 
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Un post condiviso da Eurovision Song Contest (@eurovision)