No contest: In corona era, Eurovision seeks to unite Europe

This was contest. Shut down by coronavirus crisis, Europe’s annual musical spectacular that pits countries against one ar instead sought to unite m Saturday.

Eurovision Song Contest whose final was scheduled for Saturday night was canceled amid restrictions aimed at reining in global pandemic.

So rar than judging songs from 41 artists from Albania to United Kingdom and having countries allocate points to elect a winner, organizers created a two-hour show called “Eurovision: Europe Shine A Light” that was broadcast in more than 40 countries.

Underscoring effects of coronavirus, show opened with a mont of videos of deserted streets of European cities before cutting to an almost empty studio in Nerlands.

It was a stark contrast to frenetic scenes of flag-waving, screaming fans that form backdrop for rmal Eurovision finales.

Part of Ahoy convention center in port city of Rotterdam that was to have hosted contest was transformed earlier this year into a makeshift care center to ease strain on regular hospitals treating COVID-19 patients.

Saturday’s show featured appearances by past favorites as well as artists that were to have taken part in this year’s competition jointly performing 1997’s winning song, “Love Shine a Light.”

From humble beginnings in 1956, contest has become a vector of camp and kitsch with almost 200 million viewers tuning in for finale.

Johnny Logan of Ireland, who won twice as a singer and once as a writer, opened Saturday's show with a performance of his 1980 winning song, “What’s Ar Year,” accompanied by Eurovision fans on screens like a Zoom meeting and three Dutch presenters of show. Organizers called it “a huge Eurovision choir.”

Måns Zelmerlöw of Sweden sang his 2015 winning song, “Heroes,” dedicated to health care workers battling virus.

Snippets of 41 songs that were to have taken part in this year’s contest were played throughout show with recorded messs from performers.

Mamas, Sweden’s entry, urged viewers to stay safe and wash ir hands.