This week in our school assembly and classroom discussions, we are focusing on a major upcoming global event: the Eurovision Song Contest, which is set to take place in Liverpool, United Kingdom for the first time since 1998, on behalf of last year’s winners, Ukraine. What is the Eurovision Song Contest? The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual singing competition organized by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Established in 1956, the contest brings together performers from across Europe, with over 40 countries often participating. Each country selects a representative through national competitions, leading to a series of knockout rounds and a grand televised final, where 26 acts compete for the trophy. Notably, the 'Big Five' countries — France, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Italy — automatically qualify for the final each year. The winner is selected through a combination of votes from national juries and the public. The 2023 Edition in Liverpool This year marks the 67th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, with 37 countries competing. Liverpool is hosting the event on behalf of Ukraine, which is unable to do so due to the ongoing war. It is estimated that over 160 million people will tune in to watch the contest, highlighting its enormous reach and global popularity. The UK’s 2023 Representative: Mae Muller The United Kingdom is represented this year by Holly Mae Muller, known as Mae Muller, a singer-songwriter from North London. Born in 1997, Mae developed a passion for music from a young age, inspired by her mother’s favorite bands. She cites artists like Lily Allen, Gwen Stefani, and Florence and The Machine as influences. Mae has been writing her own music since she was eight years old and is enthusiastic about representing the UK on this global stage. The Power and Variety of Music Music plays an important role in our lives and comes in many forms. Some common genres discussed this week include: Pop Music: Popular at the moment, often played on the radio and receiving millions of online views. Traditional Music: Passed down through generations and linked to cultural customs. Musicals: Stage performances that involve singing, acting, and dancing. Body Percussion Music: Creating rhythms and sounds using parts of the body such as hands, feet, or mouth. We encourage everyone to listen to different types of music and share their favorites with the class. By exploring new genres and discussing preferences, we can appreciate each other's tastes and broaden our musical horizons. A Brief History of Eurovision The roots of Eurovision can be traced back to 1954, when the EBU began sharing television programs across Europe. The first contest in 1956 was designed to unite audiences and test live, simultaneous broadcasting technology. Seven countries participated in the inaugural event held in Switzerland, with Lys Assia of Switzerland crowned as the first winner. Since then, Eurovision has been held annually (except in 2020, due to Covid-19), usually hosted by the previous year’s winning nation. To date, 52 countries have participated and 27 have claimed victory at least once. Ireland holds the record for most wins (7). The contest remains the most successful and popular program produced by the Eurovision Network. Music’s Emotional Impact Music is deeply powerful and can evoke a wide spectrum of emotions, from joy and excitement to sadness and nostalgia. It has the ability to bring people and communities together, influence our thoughts and actions, and serve as a source of happiness and reflection. Discussion Points for Assembly and Classroom Here are some questions to encourage thoughtful discussions this week: How would it feel to represent your country at a competition like Eurovision? How does music make you feel, and can you recall a powerful memory linked to a song? What types of music do you enjoy, and when do you listen to them? Have you ever watched the Eurovision Song Contest before? Do you or your family play instruments or sing? How do you think Eurovision achieves its aim of bringing audiences and countries together? Do you think music has a positive impact on the world? Encourage children to share their musical experiences and discuss how music influences their mood and thoughts. This can foster a sense of empathy and appreciation for diversity in musical tastes. Classroom Activities and Follow-up Ideas For Key Stage 1 (KS1) Think about your favourite song and describe what you like about it. How does it make you feel? What instruments are used? Try to draw or write about it. Listen to classmates' favourite songs and discover new music together. For Key Stage 2 (KS2) Plan and organise your own competition: choose a theme (singing, dancing, art, etc.), set the rules, and decide how a winner will be chosen. Explore data about Eurovision viewership in different countries and practice ordering, rounding, and comparing numbers. Compose a piece of music using only body percussion and experiment with different sounds, tempos, and rhythms, maybe as a group challenge. Key Vocabulary Contest: A competition which people try to win. Edition: A single broadcast of a series of television programmes. Host: The country, city, or organisation that provides the facilities for an event. Influence: The power to have an effect on how someone feels, thinks, or acts. Participate: To take part in something. Represent: To officially act or speak on behalf of your country. Reflection: The Value of Music and Community The Eurovision Song Contest is more than just a music competition — it’s an opportunity for countries to come together and celebrate their cultures and talents. Whether in school or at home, discussing and sharing music can create bonds and open us up to new experiences. The event reminds us of the power of unity, inclusion, and the joy that both making and enjoying music can bring to our lives. Explore the latest Picture News resources here: https://picture-news.co.uk/free-sample Join our latest discussion here: https://picture-news.co.uk/discuss Explore our recent events and training here: https://picture-news.co.uk/training
