Geopolitics Meets Pop Culture: Eurovision Song Contest Semi-final 2

Drop by to watch the collision of pop culture and geopolitics for the second semi-final of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.

Eurovision began in 1956 to bring the countries of war-torn Europe together through a common love of music—while also competing in a "friendly" musical battle among nations. This year, as war again rages in Europe, how will geopolitics show up in a technically “nonpolitical” song competition?

Eurovision has brought us, among others, “Volare” (1958 Italy), Abba (1974 Sweden), Céline Dione (1989 Switzerland), Riverdance (1994 interval act, Ireland), Katrina and the Waves (1997 UK) and Måneskin (2021 Italy).

Now in its 66th year, Eurovision is the most-watched TV entertainment show in the world, featuring 40 countries from Iceland to Israel and Portugal to Azerbaijan – plus Australia. Not present this year are Russia and Belarus.

Bring your lunch (and all your Eurovision questions) and join students, staff and faculty to watch the second semi-final live from Turin, Italy, where 18 nations compete for 10 places in Saturday’s Grand Final.

Stay for as much or as little as you like. The show itself starts at noon PST.