Eurovision is a big show, full of countries, languages, nationalities, people, music and choreographies (and politics?). Every year we smile, we laugh, we cry. There are some moments that will play a big role in Eurovision history forever. Today I would like to write about some moments that have made me feel many emotions.

1. San Marino qualifying for the final (2014)

San Marino debuted in 2008, and failed to qualify for the Grand Final. They took a 2-year break and in 2011 they failed again, even if the song Stand By by Senit was appreciated by the juries who placed it 8th in the Semi-Final.

In 2012 the Valentina Monetta era began. After many failed attempts, in 2014 Valentina Monetta, the world’s most famous Sammarinese person, finally qualified with the song Maybe (Forse). Montenegro also qualified for the first time.

People still appreciate Valentina Monetta’s 2013 entry Crisalide (Vola), another song who didn’t qualify. Unfortunately we still don’t know 2013 split results … and maybe we will never.

I have to admit it, every single time that I watch this video of San Marino qualifying for the first time I cry. Unfortunately, I didn’t watch that live, because I wasn’t following Eurovision yet.

We can hear the crowd cheering, we can see the Sammarinese delegation hugging and the hosts smiling. What a moment: That was a popular choice!

2. Jana Burčeska getting engaged (2017)

In 2017, after voting lines were closed and before Second Semi-Final results were announced, North Macedonian singer Jana Burčeska was surprised by her boyfriend who asked her to marry him.

That was a great moment and I didn’t expect this at all. She didn’t qualify for the Grand Final, but I think she still had reasons to be happy. She was also pregnant at the time.

On 12th October 2017 Dona, Dance Alone‘s singer’s first child, was born.

3. Second Semi-Final opening (2017)

Sometimes Semi-final openings are not very enjoyable. However, this is one of my favourites. I think that the three Ukrainian hosts are very underrated. Here Volodomyr Vova Ostapchuk and Oleksandr Skichko opened the Semi-Final with a medley of popular Eurovision songs, sung in a very Ukrainain way.

What are your favourite Eurovision moments? Comment below. A part 2 will follow soon.