The Eurovision Song Contest 2016 was the 61st edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. It took place in Stockholm, Sweden, following the country's victory at the 2015 contest with the song "Heroes" by Måns Zelmerlöw. Organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and host broadcaster Sveriges Television (SVT), the contest was held at the Globe Arena and consisted of two semi-finals on 10 and 12 May, and a final on 14 May 2016. The three live shows were presented by Petra Mede and the previous year's winner Måns Zelmerlöw.
Albania participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 in Oslo, Norway, with the song "It's All About You" performed by Juliana Pasha. Its selected entry was chosen through the national selection competition Festivali i Këngës organised by Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) in December 2009. To this point, the nation had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest six times since its first entry in 2004. Prior to the contest, the song was promoted by a music video and live performances both in Macedonia and the Netherlands.
Macedonia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 with the song "Lost and Found" written by Bojan Trajkovski and Darko Dimitrov. The song was performed by the group Eye Cue, which were internally selected by the Macedonian broadcaster Macedonian Radio Television (MRT) to compete for Macedonia at the 2018 contest in Lisbon, Portugal. Eye Cue's appointment as the Macedonian representative was announced on 13 February 2018, while their song, "Lost and Found", was presented to the public on 11 March 2018.
North Macedonia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 with the song "Proud" written by Darko Dimitrov, Robert Bilbilov, Lazar Cvetkoski, Kosta Petrov and Sanja Popovska. The song was performed by Tamara Todevska, who was internally selected by the Macedonian broadcaster Macedonian Radio Television (MRT) to compete for Macedonia at the 2019 contest in Tel Aviv, Israel. Todevska previously represented Macedonia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 with the song "Let Me Love You" together with Vrčak and Adrijan but failed to qualify to the final. Tamara Todevska's appointment as the Macedonian representative was announced on 25 January 2019, while her song, "Proud", was presented to the public on 8 March 2019.
The Eurovision Song Contest 2020 was planned to be the 65th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. It would have taken place in Rotterdam, Netherlands, following the country's victory at the 2019 contest with the song "Arcade" by Duncan Laurence. This edition was the first and only one in the contest's 64-year history to be cancelled, with it being called off on 18 March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
North Macedonia originally planned to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 with the song "You" written by Nevena Neskoska, Kalina Neskoska and Alice Schroeder. The song was performed by Vasil, who was internally selected by North Macedonia's public broadcaster Macedonian Radio Television (MRT) to compete for North Macedonia at the 2020 contest in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Vasil's appointment as the Macedonian representative was announced on 15 January 2020, while his song, "You", was presented to the public on 8 March 2020.
Cyprus planned to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020, which was to be held in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Greek-American-German singer Sandro was selected by the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (CyBC) to represent the country with the song "Running", written by Sandro, Alfie Arcuri, Sebastian Rickards, Octavian Rasinariu, and Teo DK. To promote the entry, a music video was released and Sandro appeared at Sweden's selection pre-party to perform it live. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the contest was cancelled in mid-March.
Bulgaria originally planned to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 with the song "Tears Getting Sober" written by Victoria Georgieva, Borislav Milanov, Lukas Oscar Janisch and Cornelia Wiebols. The song was performed by Victoria, which is the artistic name of singer Victoria Georgieva. In October 2019, the Bulgarian broadcaster Bulgarian National Television (BNT) announced that they would be returning to the Eurovision Song Contest after a one-year absence following their withdrawal in 2019 due to financial difficulties. On 25 November 2019, the broadcaster announced that Victoria had been selected to compete at the 2019 contest in Rotterdam, Netherlands. The song that Victoria competed with, "Tears Getting Sober", was also internally selected and was presented to the public on 7 March 2020.
Vasil Garvanliev is a Macedonian singer. He is also known mononymously as Vasil. He was due to represent North Macedonia with the song "You" in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 in Rotterdam before the event was cancelled. Instead, he represented North Macedonia in the 2021 contest, this time with the song "Here I Stand".
The Eurovision Song Contest 2021 was the 65th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. It took place in Rotterdam, Netherlands, following the country's win at the 2019 contest with the song "Arcade" by Duncan Laurence. The Netherlands was set to host the 2020 contest, before it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and host broadcasters Nederlandse Publieke Omroep (NPO), Nederlandse Omroep Stichting (NOS) and AVROTROS, the contest was held at Rotterdam Ahoy, and consisted of two semi-finals on 18 and 20 May, and a final on 22 May 2021. The three live shows were presented by Dutch television presenters and singers Chantal Janzen, Edsilia Rombley and Jan Smit, and Dutch YouTube personality and make-up artist Nikkie de Jager.
"You" is a song recorded by Macedonian singer Vasil Garvanliev. The song was written and produced by Nevena Neskoska alongside Alice Schroeder and Kalina Neskoska. Javier Lloret de Muller, Darko Dimitrov and Lazar Cvetkovski provided additional production.
Australia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 with the song "Technicolour" written by Montaigne and Dave Hammer. The song was performed by Montaigne, who was internally selected by the Australian broadcaster Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) to represent that nation at the 2021 contest in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Montaigne was announced as the Australian representative on 2 April 2020 after they were due to compete in the 2020 contest with "Don't Break Me" before the 2020 event's cancellation. The song Montaigne performed, "Technicolour", was presented to the public on 4 March 2021.
Albania participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, with the song "Karma" performed by Anxhela Peristeri. Its entry was selected through the national selection competition Festivali i Këngës organised by Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) in December 2020. To this point, the nation had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest sixteen times since its first entry in 2004. Prior to the contest, the song was promoted by a music video and various television and radio appearances in Albania, Greece, Kosovo and San Marino.
Cyprus participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The Cypriot broadcaster Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (CyBC) internally selected Elena Tsagrinou as its representative with the song "El Diablo". "El Diablo" was written and composed by Thomas Stengaard, Laurell Barker, Oxa, and Jimmy Thörnfeldt. Cyprus performed 8th in the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2021, held on 18 May 2021, and placed 6th, receiving 170 points. The entry qualified for the final held four days later, where the nation placed 16th with 94 points.
Ireland participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021, having internally selected Lesley Roy as their representative with the song "Maps". She was due to compete in the 2020 contest with "Story of My Life" before the event's cancellation. "Maps" failed to qualify for the grand finale, placing last in the semi-final with 20 points.
"Karma" is a song by Albanian singer and songwriter Anxhela Peristeri. It was composed by Kledi Bahiti and written by Olti Curri, with the production handled by Bahiti and Dimitris Kontopoulos. The song was released as a single for digital download and streaming in various countries on 9 March 2021 by Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) and Universal. Incorporating modern and traditional elements, it is a Balkan-influenced pop ballad backed by string instruments. The song's Albanian-language lyrics makes reference to the principle of karma, portraying the inner turmoil of a woman who finds guilt for her world falling apart within herself.
North Macedonia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 with the song "Here I Stand" written by Vasil Garvanliev, Borče Kuzmanovski and Davor Jordanovski. The song was performed by Vasil, which is the artistic name of singer Vasil Garvanliev who was internally selected by North Macedonia's public broadcaster Macedonian Radio Television (MRT) to compete for North Macedonia at the 2021 contest in Rotterdam, Netherlands, after he was due to compete in the 2020 contest with "You" before the 2020 event's cancellation. Vasil's appointment as the Macedonian representative was announced on 20 January 2021, while his song, "Here I Stand", was presented to the public on 11 March 2021.
"Maps" is a song by Irish singer Lesley Roy. The song represented Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
"Technicolour" is a song by Australian singer-songwriter Montaigne. The song represented Australia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, after being internally selected by the national broadcaster Special Broadcasting Service (SBS). Montaigne co-wrote the song with songwriter and producer Dave Hammer. Montaigne stated that the song "makes you want to cry, makes you want to dance, makes you want to take on a malignant corporate power". The song did not qualify for the final.
"The Moon Is Rising" is a song by Samanta Tīna. The song represented Latvia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, after being internally selected by the national broadcaster Latvijas Televīzija (LTV).
