United by Music? Politics and the Eurovision Song Contest

An evening with politics, discussion, music and a pub quiz!

The Eurovision Song Contest is returning to Vienna in 2026. It marks a milestone, as this will be the 70th edition of the contest since its founding in 1956. A European project must necessarily engage with European history. The diversity of the participants is a strength of the competition, but it also challenges viewers to reevaluate current world events, reflect on their own history, reassess relationships or resentments, or consciously set them aside for an evening.

We want to discuss the role of politics and the interconnections with political discourses and realities in the Eurovision Song Contest and take a peek behind the scenes of the competition. We bring together those interested in politics and Eurovision fans.

After the panel discussion we will host a Pub Quiz with many questions around the ESC and it’s history. 

Music will also play a big part in the evening. So prepare to sing and dance. 

Panel:

Kim Cooper (Singer the Rounder Girls, participant in ESC 2000 for Austria)

Dean Vuletic (Historian and Eurovision Expert)

Sandra Vučić (Journalist, Wiener Zeitung)

Host: 

Vanessa Spanbauer (ASH – Forum)

The event will be held in English

Foto-Credit: rhys wang/unsplash