Lecture by Saskia Jaszoltowski at the University of Zurich

Between tradition and modernity – the Eurovision Song Contest: As one of the largest and longest running audiovisual media spectacles, the Eurovision Song Contest has shaped not only the perception of popular music in Europe and beyond. It has also developed its own tradition of a musical-performative repertoire that mirrorstechnological change as well as political and power-related conflicts. It functions as an archive and provides entertainment at the same time. In this presentation, I will discuss the
sociocultural impact of the music contest throughout the years, highlight performances that integrate folkloristic heritage with popular idioms, and analyze the medially transmitted images of cultural diversity with its political implications. I will argue that the Eurovision Song Contest is a unique example for studying the relationship between music, media, and politics on an international level.

Program