What is Eurovision Song Contest 2021?
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}} [[File:ESC_2021_Rotterdam_-_Greenfloor_and_podium.jpg|thumb|[[Rotterdam]] hosted the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest|268x268px]] The '''Eurovision Song Contest 2021''' was the 65th edition of the [[Eurovision Song Contest]] that took place in [[the Netherlands]]'s second largest city [[Rotterdam]], after [[Duncan Laurence]] won for his country in [[Tel Aviv]], [[Israel]]. The [[Eurovision Song Contest 2020]] was cancelled due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] and was replaced with a live TV show called [[Eurovision: Europe Shine a Light]]. It was later announced that [[Rotterdam]] will host the 2021 edition. The contest took place from 18 to 22 May 2021 with two semi-finals and one final. The Netherlands hosted the contest for the fifth time. The [[European Broadcasting Union|EBU]] confirmed that 39 countries will participate in 2021. Like the previous year, [[Hungary]] and [[Montenegro]] did not take part. [[Armenia]] also did not take part, while [[Belarus]] was disqualified after their intended entry violated the contest's rules. Due to the ongoing pandemic, the EBU presented several scenarios (A, B, C and D) in which the competition could take place. == Venue == The contest happened in Rotterdam Ahoy in [[Rotterdam]] and was organized by the Dutch broadcasters NPO, NOS and AVROTROS. == Hosts == There were four presenters hosting the contest in Rotterdam: Chantal Janzen, Jan Smit, Edsilia Rombley and Nikkie de Jager. == Slogan == The [[slogan]] of the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 was ''Open Up''. It was already planned for the 2020 contest and later confirmed that it would be used again. == Rule changes == For the 2021 edition, it was announced by the [[European Broadcasting Union|EBU]] that pre-recorded backing vocals will be allowed for the live shows. In previous years these had to be performed live. == Entries == Because the contest was cancelled last year, many countries decided to send their representative from last year again. However, the EBU announced that completely n