The Eurovision Song Contest – Europe’s annual music jamboree Published May 15, 2008 By Suzanne Harper 48th Fighter Wing public affairs RAF LAKENHEATH, England -- When I was a little girl, my family lived in Germany for a number of years; my dad was stationed there with the Royal Air Force and I have the warm, comforting childhood memories of that time. Perhaps that's why I enjoy being so close to Europe and having such a diversity of cultures and languages right on my doorstep. Perhaps that's why I look forward so excitedly to the annual spectacle that is the Eurovision Song Contest. May 24 the Grand Final of this television phenomenon will take place in Belgrade, capital city of Serbia. The honour of acting as this year's host was bestowed upon Belgrade as their song, 'Molitva', performed by Marija Šerifović, was victorious in 2007. The Eurovision Song Contest is one of the longest running television shows in the world. It was May 24, 1956 that Europe saw the first ever Eurovision Song Contest. As it enters its 53rd year, the contest has become a modern European tradition. The rules of the ESC have evolved over the years, but essentially, all the countries vote for all the other countries and hope that they will not suffer the ignominy of ending the evening with "nul points" (French for "no points")! The contest is generally compered in three or four languages and the United Kingdom's veteran presenter, Terry Wogan, provides the television commentary for the UK. His endless wit and dry, sarcastic comments on the songs and the performers have turned what could be a tedious night into compelling viewing; just remember, he will not be politically correct. It might only be a song contest, but the internal machinations of European politics are evident in voting patterns. Other countries seem to take this competition much more seriously than British audiences do; for those astute viewers, when the scores come in it is clear just who wants to be friends with whom. And there is scandal too. An investigation in Spain has uncovered skullduggery which claims to show that in 1968 the dictator, Francisco Franco, had the vote rigged, ensuring that the British singer, Cliff Richard, then a 27-year-old starlet, never had a chance of winning with his song, "Congratulations." The UK's entry was pipped at the post by Hispanic entry "La La La." The tradition of musical outrages did not end with the 1960s. Some of the costumes and performances must be seen to be believed. This annual festival of song has delighted and appalled in equal measure. Thirty years ago, it sent Abba to international fame. It also presented the world with the Finnish heavy metal band, Lordi, who outraged certain religious elements of the Finnish and Greek religious communities with their wild costumes and stage performance. They brought the first ever victory to Finland, however, and were greeted back in their homeland as heroes. In case you're wondering, the last time the United Kingdom won was back in 1997 when Katrina and the Waves were victorious with "Love, shine a light." The band is better known for their international hit "Walking on Sunshine." Katrina Leskanich, the lead singer, was a student of the Department of Defense Dependents Schools system here in the UK ; her father, Theodore, is a retired colonel in the US Air Force. He served in the Vietnam War from 1971 to 1972 and was stationed in various parts of the US and Europe, including RAF Mildenhall. My top tip for an unforgettable evening is to join together with some British friends, have some nibbles, switch on the Eurovision Song Contest and try to work out who will be the new champions. Once seen and, of course, heard, it is seldom forgotten.