Fans from across Europe have gathered in the German city of Düsseldorf for the 56th annual Eurovision Song Contest. The massive TV event was won by German singer Lena in 2010 and the winner's country gets to host the following year's show.

Bubbly teenager Lena Meyer-Landrut, who charmed fans and judges last year with her catchy song "Satellite," will again be in this year's Germany entry, hoping to make it two in a row - but she's up against strong competition.

Bookmakers have tipped France's Amaury Vassili to win. Should he indeed come in first, it would be France's first victory in more than 30 years, though Vassili will actually sing in Corsican, not French.

Other favorites are spiky-haired Irish twins Jedward with their trashy pop song "Lipstick." Acts representing Azerbaijan, Estonia and Denmark are also seen as having a chance at the top spot.

Britain is hoping to end a humiliating losing streak at the contest with sending newly reformed boy band Blue to Düsseldorf. The country that brought the world pop music has in fact finished in last place three times in the last eight years.

"It's amazing. This competition brings Europe together and brings countries together. This is what I went into music for, bringing people together," said Lee Ryan, 27, a member of Blue.

Global success

The annual spectacle is watched by about 125 million people each year. Europe's favorite TV show is now broadcast around the world, and viewers in Australia, Egypt, India, Jordan, Korea and the United States can tune in to see acts which run the whole gamut from talented, upcoming pop stars to wince-inducing, "what were they thinking?" entries.

There will be a total of 25 countries performing on Saturday evening. Germany, Britain, Italy, Spain and France automatically qualify as they are the five largest contributors to the event, while another 38 countries were whittled down in two semi-finals for a group of 25 for the big final.

The winner will be chosen at the end of the evening by juries in each participating country and through call-in votes from viewers.

Should Lena manage to win a second time, she would be the first ever to successfully defend a Eurovision title.

But even without a second victory, the city of Düsseldorf will be abuzz with a party-minded crowd from across the continent, most of whom care less about who wins than simply enjoying a fabulous night.

Author: Andreas Illmer (AFP, Reuters, AP)
Editor: Kyle James