Eurovision Song Contest 2022: the programme for Thursday and Saturday

The city of Turin is hosting the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest from 10 to 14 May. The continent's biggest music event has 40 countries participating - including a few guest countries that are not necessarily inside of Europe.

In the photo, Australian artist Sheldon Riley, who will perform on May 12 (EBU / Sarah Louise Bennett).

The Italian group won the festival last year, and that's why Eurovision 2022 is held in the Italian city of Turin.

By the way, Måneskin had quite a good year! They won the MTV Europe Music Award for Best Rock, were nominated for an American Music Award for their hit song 'Beggin',' and they are also in the running for two Billboard Music Awards. Not to mention that they played at Coachella!

Two exceptional singers, Laura Pausini and Mika, present the show together with local star Alessandro Cattelan. The theme of the festival is 'peace' - not surprisingly, as there will be much attention for the war in Ukraine.

As it has been customary for a number of years, the song festival is spread over three evenings. First, there are two semi-finals (Tuesday 10 and Thursday 12 May) and then there's the grand final on Saturday evening, 14 May.

In the final, we will see Sam Ryder on behalf of the UK.

During the first semi-final, on Tuesday May 10th, we've already had to say goodbye to some popular acts. For example, Ronela Hajati from Albania, whose finale spot had been 'stolen' from her according to some indignant Eurovision fans on social media.

Another popular group was Citi Zeni from Latvia. They sang the funny and educational song 'Eat Your Salad.' Unfortunately, they didn't get enough televotes to proceed to the finale on Saturday May 14.

The following 10 groups did get a ticket to the final:

- Lithuania: Monika Liu with 'Sentimentai'
- Switzerland: Marius Bär with 'Boys Do Cry'
- Ukraine: Kalush Orchestra with 'Stefania'
- Netherlands: S10 with 'De Diepte' (photo)
- Moldova: Zbod si Zdub & Fratii Advahov with 'Trenuletul'
- Portugal: Maro with 'Saudade, Saudade'
- Iceland: Systur with 'Með Hækkandi Sól'
- Greece: Amanda Georgiadi Tenfjord with 'Die Together'
- Norway: Subwoofer with 'Give that Wolf a Banana'
- Armenia: Rosa Linn with 'Snap'

Bookmakers consider Kalush Orchestra as the big favourite to win the festival this year.

The second night of the competition is on Thursday. The time is the same: from 9:00 PM, GMT+2, to approximately 11:15 PM. This evening, there are 18 acts. One of them is Jérémie Makiese on behalf of Belgium.

(Photo: EBU / Andres Putting)

The first nine artists to perform on the second night of the festival are, in order of performance:

- The Rasmus with 'Jezebel' (Finland)
- Michael Ben David with 'IM' (Israel)
- Konstrakta with 'In Corpore Sano' (Serbia)
- Nadir Rustamli with 'Fade to Black' (Azerbaijan)
- Circus Mircus with 'Lock me in' (Georgia)
- Emma Muscat with 'I Am What I Am' (Malta)
- Achille Lauro with 'Stripper' (San Marino)
- Sheldon Riley with 'Not the Same' (Australia) - pictured
- Andromache with 'Ela' (Cyprus)

The following nine acts on the Pala Olimpico stage, in order of attendance:

- Brooke with 'That's Rich' (Ireland) - pictured
- Andrea with 'Circles' (North Macedonia)
- Stefan with 'Hope' (Estonia)
- WRS with 'Llámame' (Romania)
- Ochman with 'River' (Poland)
- Vladana with 'Breathe' (Montenegro)
- Jérémie Makiese with 'Miss 'You' (Belgium)
- Cornelia Jakobs with 'Hold Me Closer' (Sweden)
- We Are Domi with 'Lights Off' (Czech Republic)

Of the 35 semi-finalists, only 20 will go to the final. The 'Big Five' are waiting for them there - the countries that are in the final automatically.

- Italy sends Mahmood ft. Blank with 'Brividi'
- France has Alvan ft. Ahez with 'Fulenn'
- Germany has selected Malik Harris with 'Rockstars': he is pictured here
- Spain sends Chanel with 'SloMo'
- The United Kingdom makes a strong appearance with Sam Ryder and his song 'Space Man'.

20 from the semifinals and 5 pre-selected 'Big' countries: these will be the 25 participants who will compete for the victory of the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday evening 14 May.

(Pictured: Chanel, the Spanish contestant)

As always, the festival can be followed live on the public broadcasters in European countries. The big final starts at 9:00 PM, GMT+2, on Saturday evening, May 14.

Photo: Jonas Leupe/Unsplash

Because of televoting and the final counting of all countries' points - which is always very tense! - the final evening lasts longer than the semi-finals. You have to wait until about 1 AM to find out who the winner is.

In the meantime, consider yourself lucky if you're in the area or just flew to Turin for this week, because besides Eurovision, there are plenty of other events taking place in the Savoyard capital this week!

Photo: Cristiano Caligaris / Unsplash

From Saturday 7 to Saturday 14 May there will be a real Eurovision village in the Valentino Park. Everyone can go there from 11 am to midnight.

Photo: Antonio Sessa / Unsplash

In the Eurovision village, the three competition evenings can be seen live on big screens. In addition, there are concerts of classical, punk, electronic and other music. Admission is free but subject to availability. The park has 17,000 seats.

On the occasion of the Eurovision Song Contest, the neighborhoods of Santa Rita and Mirafiori will host a street music festival. It is a tribute to Måneskin, the winner of the last edition of the festival and a band with roots in street music.

In short, Turin has plenty to do this week, and not just at the Pala Alpitour stadium where the legendary competition is held.

(Photo: Samuele Giglio/Unsplash)