A Political History of the Eurovision Song Contest with Callum Rowe
Thu 05 Feb
|Welcome In Community Centre, Leeds
This celebration of European culture has been a signal for revolution in Portugal, a portrait of Yugoslavia’s collapse and a pretext for the war in Ukraine. Callum Rowe, presents a Political History of the Eurovision Song Contest; a peek behind the invisible satin, LED, and Iron curtains of Europe.
Time & Location
05 Feb 2026, 18:30 – 20:00
Welcome In Community Centre, Leeds, 55 Bedford Dr, Leeds LS16 6DJ, UK
About This Event
The Eurovision Song Contest is the world’s most-watched non-sporting event, with up to 200 million viewers from across Europe and beyond watching every year, but behind all the fireworks and confetti lies a darker secret. This seemingly innocent celebration of European culture has been a signal for revolution in Portugal, a portrait of Yugoslavia’s collapse, a pretext for the war in Ukraine, and a stage for arts washing in former Soviet states trying to make their name in the West. Journalist, Eurovision expert and presenter of The Euro Trip podcast, Callum Rowe, presents the Political History of the Eurovision Song Contest; a peek behind the invisible satin, LED, and Iron curtains of Europe.
The cafe will be serving refreshments during this event.
This project is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.