Eurovision Song Contest 2016

The Eurovision Song Contest 2016 was held at the Ericsson Globe in Stockholm, Sweden, comprising two semi-finals on 10 and 12 May, and a final on 14 May 2016. This edition was organized by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and Sveriges Television (SVT), following Sweden's victory in the previous year with the song 'Heroes' by Måns Zelmerlöw.

A total of forty-two countries participated in the contest, with notable returns from Ukraine, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, and Croatia after recent absences. Ukraine achieved a historic win with the song '1944', performed and written by Jamala, marking the first time a song featuring lyrics in Crimean Tatar won the contest. In the final standings, Ukraine placed second in both the jury and televote categories, with Australia winning the jury vote and Russia winning the televote.

The 2016 contest introduced a significant change to the voting system, the first since 1975. While the professional jury points were announced as in previous years, the results of the national televote were combined and revealed in reverse order. This change aimed to enhance the suspense of the voting process.

The Ericsson Globe, with a capacity of approximately 16,000 attendees, hosted the contest for the second time, the first being in 2000. Additionally, the Eurovision Village served as a fan area during the event week, while the EuroClub hosted official after-parties for accredited participants. A live event titled 'Eurovision the Party' was also held alongside the final, allowing fans to engage with the contest in a celebratory atmosphere.

Ukraine's victory in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 with '1944' not only showcased its musical talent but also brought attention to the cultural and historical narratives associated with the Crimean Tatar community. This win was significant for Ukraine amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and served to elevate the country's cultural presence on an international platform.