Eurovision gives the world two days to singalong in harmony

In a blow to music lovers everywhere, the Eurovision Song Contest is to be expanded from a single evening into a two-day festival.

Many countries eager to enter have been forced to sit out the contest, the European Broadcasting Union said in a statement yesterday. But the new format – with a qualifying round on the Friday followed by a grand final on the Saturday – will allow any eligible country to take part.

The contest has recently enjoyed a resurgence of popularity, particularly among the young. Last year, research suggested that more than half of all television viewers in Europe watched at least part of Eurovision, with the Danes particularly susceptible: 91 per cent of all women in Denmark aged between 15 and 34 who were watching TV at the time tuned in. This may prove that blondes don't have more fun.

Since audience statistics do not express irony, it is hard to know how far the contest's new popularity is evidence of its kitsch, camp appeal; but that interpretation might be supported by the fact that viewing figures increase during the voting, which implies that it is not the music that draws people in. If this public appetite for intricate electoral processes could be translated into turn-out for European parliamentary elections, there would be a swift end to arguments on the EU lacking democratic legitimacy.

This is not the only way in which Eurovision may point the way for politicians. Over the years, a country's participation in the contest has often been followed by participation in European political institutions. Among those former Eastern Bloc states that have joined the Eurovision family and are now in the queue for membership of the EU are Latvia (host of this year's contest), Estonia, Hungary and the Czech Republic – though Hungary, having refused to broadcast last year's contest, was disqualified this year. On the other hand, Turkey is still being kept dangling by the EU, despite having participated in the contest since 1974. Some see this as evidence that the EU's definition of "Europe" is self-servingly narrow.

All these smaller countries stand to benefit from the new rules. So do a number of other countries which, while full members of the European Broadcasting Union, have so far not chosen to take part – among them Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia and the Vatican. While the prospect of a Papal entry intrigues, the most interesting question is whether the Muslim nations can be tempted to join the party. And if they do, would it be a prelude to a wider, more inclusive Europe? Would it be taken as a sign that Christendom and the Islamic world are not necessarily at odds with each other?

Meanwhile, the organisers face a more immediate question. There is little doubt that the contest can sustain high levels of kitsch over a weekend: but can the viewers sustain an ironic attitude for all that time? For now, all we can do is cock a quizzical eyebrow and adopt a knowing smirk.

Don't play that song again? The Eurovision facts

* Ireland has won the contest the most times, with seven victories.

* Finland has finished last on most occasions, having been bottom eight times.

* Norway is famous for getting "nil points", having done so four times (1963, 1978 and 1981, 1997). Germany did not manage a single point in 1964 and 1965 while Lithuania got nothing in 1994.

* The worst result for the UK was in 2000 when Nicki French, below, finished 16th with "Don't Play That Song Again".

* Ireland's Johnny Logan, above, is the only performer to have won three Eurovision Song Contests. As a singer in 1980, singer-composer in 1987 and as composer for "Why Me?" sung by Linda Martin in 1992.

* The United Kingdom has won it five times, coming second a record 14 times.

* The Eurovision Song Contest favours female soloists. Of the 45 winners, 27 have been lone women.

* Spain's winning 1968 entry contained 138 "la's". Ireland's 1982 entry, "Here Today, Gone Tomorrow", contained 111.

* Terry Wogan, below, has provided the commentary for BBC viewers every year since 1980.

* An estimated 166 million people watched last year's contest at Saku Suurhall arena in Tallinn, Estonia.

* The Italians (in 1981, 1982 and 1986) and the French (in 1982) pulled out of the contest citing the poor quality of the music.

* The longest Eurovision title is Germany's 1964 effort, "Man Gewohnt Sich So Schnell an das Schone", with 34 letters. It scored zero.

Sam Knight