Earlier today the Semi-Final Allocation Draw took place in next year's host city Stockholm. In a special ceremony in the City Hall, the Swedish capital also became the official host city of the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest.
The definite running order within the segments of each Semi-Final will be determined by the show producers at a later date.
At the request of German broadcaster ARD, and following approval from the Reference Group, the governing body of the Eurovision Song Contest, Germany will broadcast and vote in the second Semi-Final on 12th May. Israel will compete in the second Semi-Final since the first Semi-Final clashes with the country's memorial day. Alongside Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom will vote in the second Semi-Final. France, Spain and host country Sweden will vote in the first Semi-Final.
Host City Insignia Exchange
In a special ceremony held prior to the Semi-Final Allocation Draw, Dr. Andreas Mailath-Pokorny, Executive City Councillor for Cultural Affairs of the City of Vienna presented the Host City Insignia to Stockholm's Mayor, Ms. Karin Wanngård. Stockholm is now the official Host City of the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest!
Come Together
Even though the Eurovision Song Contest has had a generic logo since 2004 - the word Eurovision with a heart in the middle - every year the EBU encourages the Host Broadcaster to come up with a theme artwork that is specific to the event that year. The theme for the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest, revealed today, is Come Together.
Reflecting on the theme for 2016, Martin Österdahl, Executive Producer of the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest said: "The Eurovision Song Contest is never about borders, politics or ideologies. It is about reaching across all the boundaries that separates us human beings from each other".
Sweden, SVT and the EBU invite Europe and the world to Come Together in Stockholm in May!
Comments
Måns Zelmerlöw and Petra Mede will be your hosts during the two Semi-Finals and Grand Final.