Smoke rises from just beyond a bank of trees and homes, as a wildfire threatens large tracts of land, outside Ljusdal, Sweden, Tuesday July 17, 2018. This is one of about 80 wildfires reported in Sweden, due to the dry weather. (Maja Suslin / TT via AP)
As of Friday, over 50 blazes were torching forests, mostly in central and western Sweden but also in the north, above the Arctic Circle, and on the Baltic Sea island of Gotland.
No deaths or injuries have been reported so far but large evacuations have taken place and thousands of people have been warned to remain inside with the windows shut to avoid breathing the smoky air. Finland and Norway have also reported wildfires in the past few days.
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Smoke rises from just beyond a bank of trees and homes, as a wildfire threatens large tracts of land, outside Ljusdal, Sweden, Tuesday July 17, 2018. This is one of about 80 wildfires reported in Sweden, due to the dry weather. (Maja Suslin / TT via AP)
As of Friday, over 50 blazes were torching forests, mostly in central and western Sweden but also in the north, above the Arctic Circle, and on the Baltic Sea island of Gotland.
Some 500 voluntary soldiers from the Swedish military have been dispatched to help with Black Hawk helicopters in the central region of Alvdalen.
The fires have come as Europe's Nordic region has experienced an intense heat wave in the past week. Temperatures have reached over 32 degrees Celsius (90 Fahrenheit) throughout Finland, Norway and Sweden. The weather also has been dry with no substantial rain for weeks — making the region's brush and forests highly flammable.
France on Thursday delivered two Canadair CL-415 water-bombing planes, which can carry 6,000 liters (1,585 gallons) of water at a time. Italy dispatched similar planes to Sweden earlier this week.
Swedish media have shown dramatic footage of blazing forests, helicopters dropping water and firefighters trying to put out flames.
An aircraft helps to stop the advancing wildfire near to homes, outside Ljusdal, Sweden, Tuesday July 17, 2018. This is one of about 80 wildfires reported in Sweden, due to the dry weather. (Maja Suslin / TT via AP)
Some 500 voluntary soldiers from the Swedish military have been dispatched to help with Black Hawk helicopters in the central region of Alvdalen.
In some areas emergency rescue services have called for all able-bodied men to help out putting the wildfires that have raged this week.
"This is a serious situation and the risk for forest fires is extremely high in the whole country," said Jakob Wernerman, operative head of the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency that is coordinating firefighting efforts.
Smoke rises after a wildfire swept through the large forest area in Pyh'ranta, Finland, Wednesday July 18, 2018. About twenty residential buildings have been evacuated. (Roni Lehti/Lehtikuva via AP)
The fires have come as Europe's Nordic region has experienced an intense heat wave in the past week. Temperatures have reached over 32 degrees Celsius (90 Fahrenheit) throughout Finland, Norway and Sweden. The weather also has been dry with no substantial rain for weeks — making the region's brush and forests highly flammable.
Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven said Friday that his government is working "every minute" to get necessary resources to the hundreds of firefighters and emergency workers.
Sweden has received assistance — including water-bombing planes, helicopters and staff — from Italy, France and Norway. Denmark, Germany and Lithuania have also pledged to help.
In this photo taken on Wednesday, July 18, 2018, smoke billows from a fire outside Ljusdal, Sweden. Sweden is fighting its most serious wildfires in decades, including blazes above the Arctic Circle, prompting the government to seek help from the military, hundreds of volunteers and other European nations. As of Friday, over 50 blazes were torching forests, mostly in central and western Sweden but also in the north, above the Arctic Circle, and on the Baltic Sea island of Gotland. (Maja Suslin/TT via AP)
France on Thursday delivered two Canadair CL-415 water-bombing planes, which can carry 6,000 liters (1,585 gallons) of water at a time. Italy dispatched similar planes to Sweden earlier this week.
CORRECTING LOCATION - In this aerial photo showing the advancing fire around Ljusdal, Sweden, as a wildfire sweeps through the large forest area Wednesday July 18, 2018. Dry weather has endangered large tracts of forest and many residential areas.(Maja Suslin/Lehtikuva via AP)
Swedish media have shown dramatic footage of blazing forests, helicopters dropping water and firefighters trying to put out flames.
The Aftonbladet tabloid has run a special section titled "Sweden is burning!" that just covers news on the blazes. In an interview, water-carrying helicopter pilot Bjorn Franzen noted the difficulty of the mission.
In this photo taken on Tuesday, July 17, 2018, smoke billows from a fire outside Ljusdal, Sweden. (Maja Suslin/TT via AP)
"We fly mostly in low altitude. It's often difficult to see anything from the smoke," he told Aftonbladet. "It can be extremely difficult to see where our input is needed. Sometimes the wind changes direction and then we need to resort to different tactics."
LONDON (AP) — It’s springtime in Europe — time for the annual blossoming of spectacle and sound known as the Eurovision Song Contest.
Taking place in May in Malmö, Sweden, the 68th annual competition will see acts from 37 countries vie for the continent’s pop crown in a feelgood extravaganza that strives — not always successfully – to banish international strife and division. And you don’t have to be in Europe to watch, or to help pick the winner.
Here’s a guide to all things Eurovision.
On one level, it’s simple: Eurovision is an international pop music competition in which acts from countries across Europe, and a few beyond it, compete in a live televised contest to be crowned Eurovision champion.
But it’s also much more -- a celebration of diversity, national pride and the joyous power of pop. And glitter. So much glitter.
Launched in 1956 to foster unity after World War II, Eurovision has become a campy, feel-good celebration of pop music with an audience of hundreds of millions around the world. It has grown from seven countries to almost 40, including non-European nations such as Israel and Australia.
It’s now known for songs that range from anthemic to extremely silly, often with elaborate costumes and spectacular staging.
Paul Jordan, an expert on the contest who is known as “Dr. Eurovision,” said the contest “is almost indescribable in terms of its scale, in terms of its craziness — but I would liken it to probably the musical version of the Olympic Games.”
This year’s contest will be held in Malmö in southern Sweden, with two semifinals on May 7 and 9 followed by a grand final on May 11. Traditionally the competition is hosted by the previous year’s winner, and Sweden triumphed in 2023 with “Tattoo,” a power ballad by pop diva Loreen.
The Nordic nation is a Eurovision powerhouse that has won the contest seven times, a number equaled only by Ireland.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of a Eurovision’s most iconic moment, ABBA’s victory in the 1974 contest with “Waterloo.” The win propelled the band toward superstardom and helped jump-start Sweden’s music industry.
Fans are hoping for an appearance by the Swedish supergroup in Malmö, though the band members have played down those suggestions.
Eurovision’s motto is “united by music” and organizer the European Broadcasting Union strives to keep political divisions out of the competition, though it doesn’t always succeed.
Russia has been banned since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Last year’s contest was held in the English city of Liverpool because the 2022 winner, Ukraine, was at war.
This year, pro-Palestinian activists and some musicians have urged organizers to drop Israel from the event over its conduct in its war against Hamas, which has killed more than 33,000 people in Gaza, according to its Health Ministry.
Israel has not been suspended, but it was ordered to change the lyrics of its competing song, originally titled “October Rain,” an apparent reference to Hamas’ cross-border Oct. 7 attack that killed some 1,200 Israelis. Renamed “Hurricane,” the power ballad will be performed by 20-year-old singer Eden Golan.
With feelings running high, organizers issued a statement saying they “firmly oppose any form of online abuse, hate speech, or harassment directed at our artists or any individuals associated with the contest.”
Jordan said Eurovision organizers have sometimes been accused of inconsistency in setting the contest’s boundaries.
“You’re not allowed political entries …and yet Finland 2013 has a song about equal marriage,” he said. “You had other songs about world peace -- technically they’re political too. So what is the division between politics and non-politics is quite a blurred line.”
Pro-Palestinian groups plan demonstrations in downtown Malmo during Eurovision week that they hope will draw thousands of protesters from Sweden and neighboring countries.
Malmö district police chief Petra Stenkula said security would be “rigorous,” with Swedish police reinforced by officers from Denmark and Norway.
Eurovision’s complex voting system, which awards points from juries of music industry professionals as well as viewers across Europe, makes winners notoriously hard to predict.
Jordan said there used to be a “typical” Eurovision sound -– a three-minute pop song in English with a key change — but the contest is now much more diverse. Many acts perform in their national languages and some draw on folk traditions and instruments, though slick production and electro beats still predominate.
Winners have ranged from Canadian chanteuse Celine Dion, who competed for Switzerland in 1988, to fright mask-wearing Finnish metalheads Lordi in 2006, bearded Austrian drag performer Conchita Wurst in 2014, Italian rock band Måneskin in 2021 and Ukrainian folk-rap group Kalush Orchestra in 2022.
Bookmakers’ favorites this year include nonbinary Swiss singer Nemo’s powerhouse song “The Code” and Croatian singer-songwriter Baby Lasagna’s earwormy electro number “Rim Tim Tagi Dim.”
Other entries to watch include the Netherlands’ Joost Klein with pop-rap song “Europapa,” “La Noia“ by Italian TikTok star Angelina Mango and “Teresa & Maria” by the Ukrainian duo of rapper alyona alyona and vlogger Jerry Heil.
Spain’s entry, “ Zorra” by the duo Nebulossa, has drawn controversy because its title can be translated as an anti-female slur.
The U.K., which has not won since 1997, is pinning its hopes on Olly Alexander’s vertiginous pop song “Dizzy.” Host country Sweden is represented by identical twins Marcus & Martinus -– who, confusingly enough, hail from Norway -- with the confidently titled “Unforgettable.” Eurovision voters will be the judge of that.
The competition will be aired by national broadcasters in participating nations, on streaming service Peacock in the United States and on the Eurovision YouTube channel. Viewers in the U.S. and other nonparticipating countries can vote online or using the Eurovision app; viewers in participating countries can also vote by phone or text message.
FILE - Kalush Orchestra from Ukraine singing Stefania perform during the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest at Palaolimpico arena, in Turin, Italy, on May 14, 2022. The 68th Eurovision Song Contest is taking place in May in Malmö, Sweden. It will see acts from 37 countries vie for the continent’s pop crown. Founded in 1956, Eurovision is a feelgood extravaganza that strives to banish international strife and division. It’s known for songs that range from anthemic to extremely silly, often with elaborate costumes and spectacular staging. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno, File)
FILE - Maneskin from Italy receive the trophy after winning the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest at Ahoy arena in Rotterdam, Netherlands, May 22, 2021. The 68th Eurovision Song Contest is taking place in May in Malmö, Sweden. It will see acts from 37 countries vie for the continent’s pop crown. Founded in 1956, Eurovision is a feelgood extravaganza that strives to banish international strife and division. It’s known for songs that range from anthemic to extremely silly, often with elaborate costumes and spectacular staging. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)
FILE - Greek singer Eleni Foureira performs during the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest grand final in Tel Aviv, Israel, May 18, 2019. The 68th Eurovision Song Contest is taking place in May in Malmö, Sweden. It will see acts from 37 countries vie for the continent’s pop crown. Founded in 1956, Eurovision is a feelgood extravaganza that strives to banish international strife and division. It’s known for songs that range from anthemic to extremely silly, often with elaborate costumes and spectacular staging. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner, File)
FILE - Kate Miller-Heidke of Australia performs during the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest semifinal in Tel Aviv, Israel, May 14, 2019. The 68th Eurovision Song Contest is taking place in May in Malmö, Sweden. It will see acts from 37 countries vie for the continent’s pop crown. Founded in 1956, Eurovision is a feelgood extravaganza that strives to banish international strife and division. It’s known for songs that range from anthemic to extremely silly, often with elaborate costumes and spectacular staging. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner, File)
FILE - Elina Nechayeva from Estonia performs the song 'La Forza' during the first semifinal for the Eurovision Song Contest in Lisbon, Portugal, May 8, 2018. The 68th Eurovision Song Contest is taking place in May in Malmö, Sweden. It will see acts from 37 countries vie for the continent’s pop crown. Founded in 1956, Eurovision is a feelgood extravaganza that strives to banish international strife and division. It’s known for songs that range from anthemic to extremely silly, often with elaborate costumes and spectacular staging. (AP Photo/Armando Franca, File)
FILE - Slavko Kalezic from Montenegro performs the song "Space" during the first semifinal for the Eurovision Song Contest, in Kiev, Ukraine, May 9, 2017. The 68th Eurovision Song Contest is taking place in May in Malmö, Sweden. It will see acts from 37 countries vie for the continent’s pop crown. Founded in 1956, Eurovision is a feelgood extravaganza that strives to banish international strife and division. It’s known for songs that range from anthemic to extremely silly, often with elaborate costumes and spectacular staging. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky, File)
FILE - Sweden's Mans Zelmerlow performs the song 'Heroes' during a dress rehearsal for the second semifinal of the Eurovision Song Contest in Austria's capital Vienna, May 20, 2015. The 68th Eurovision Song Contest is taking place in May in Malmö, Sweden. It will see acts from 37 countries vie for the continent’s pop crown. Founded in 1956, Eurovision is a feelgood extravaganza that strives to banish international strife and division. It’s known for songs that range from anthemic to extremely silly, often with elaborate costumes and spectacular staging. (AP Photo/Kerstin Joensson, File)
FILE - Conchita Wurst representing Austria performs the song ' Rise Like a Phoenix' during a rehearsal for the second semifinal of the Eurovision Song Contest in the B&W Halls in Copenhagen, Denmark, May 7, 2014. The 68th Eurovision Song Contest is taking place in May in Malmö, Sweden. It will see acts from 37 countries vie for the continent’s pop crown. Founded in 1956, Eurovision is a feelgood extravaganza that strives to banish international strife and division. It’s known for songs that range from anthemic to extremely silly, often with elaborate costumes and spectacular staging. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, file)
FILE - The Tolmachevy Sisters representing Russia perform the song 'Shine' during the final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen, Denmark, May 10, 2014. The 68th Eurovision Song Contest is taking place in May in Malmö, Sweden. It will see acts from 37 countries vie for the continent’s pop crown. Founded in 1956, Eurovision is a feelgood extravaganza that strives to banish international strife and division. It’s known for songs that range from anthemic to extremely silly, often with elaborate costumes and spectacular staging. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, File)
FILE - Cezar of Romania performs his song "It's My Life" during the second semifinal of the Eurovision Song Contest at the Malmo Arena in Malmo, Sweden, May 16, 2013. The 68th Eurovision Song Contest is taking place in May in Malmö, Sweden. It will see acts from 37 countries vie for the continent’s pop crown. Founded in 1956, Eurovision is a feelgood extravaganza that strives to banish international strife and division. It’s known for songs that range from anthemic to extremely silly, often with elaborate costumes and spectacular staging. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant, File)
FILE - Krista Siegfrids of Finland performs her song "Marry Me" during a rehearsal for the final of the Eurovision Song Contest at the Malmo Arena in Malmo, Sweden, May 17, 2013. The 68th Eurovision Song Contest is taking place in May in Malmö, Sweden. It will see acts from 37 countries vie for the continent’s pop crown. Founded in 1956, Eurovision is a feelgood extravaganza that strives to banish international strife and division. It’s known for songs that range from anthemic to extremely silly, often with elaborate costumes and spectacular staging. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant, File)
FILE - Jedward perform during a rehearsal for the final show of the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest at the Baku Crystal Hall in Baku, May 25, 2012. The 68th Eurovision Song Contest is taking place in May in Malmö, Sweden. It will see acts from 37 countries vie for the continent’s pop crown. Founded in 1956, Eurovision is a feelgood extravaganza that strives to banish international strife and division. It’s known for songs that range from anthemic to extremely silly, often with elaborate costumes and spectacular staging. (AP Photo/Sergey Ponomarev, File)
FILE - Russia Buranovskiye Babushki perform during a rehearsal for the final of the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest at the Baku Crystal Hall in Baku, Azerbaijan, May 25, 2012. The 68th Eurovision Song Contest is taking place in May in Malmö, Sweden. It will see acts from 37 countries vie for the continent’s pop crown. Founded in 1956, Eurovision is a feelgood extravaganza that strives to banish international strife and division. It’s known for songs that range from anthemic to extremely silly, often with elaborate costumes and spectacular staging. (AP Photo/Sergey Ponomarev, File)
FILE - Moldovan band Zdob si Zdub performs the song 'So Lucky' during the rehearsal for the second semifinal of the Eurovision Song Contest in Duesseldorf, Germany, May 11, 2011. The 68th Eurovision Song Contest is taking place in May in Malmö, Sweden. It will see acts from 37 countries vie for the continent’s pop crown. Founded in 1956, Eurovision is a feelgood extravaganza that strives to banish international strife and division. It’s known for songs that range from anthemic to extremely silly, often with elaborate costumes and spectacular staging. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, File)
FILE - Czech Republic's band Gipsy.cz performs during the Eurovision Song Contest's first semifinal at the Olympic Stadium in Moscow, Russia, May 12, 2009. The 68th Eurovision Song Contest is taking place in May in Malmö, Sweden. It will see acts from 37 countries vie for the continent’s pop crown. Founded in 1956, Eurovision is a feelgood extravaganza that strives to banish international strife and division. It’s known for songs that range from anthemic to extremely silly, often with elaborate costumes and spectacular staging. (AP Photo/Sergey Ponomarev, File)
FILE - Ukraine's Verka Serduchka sings 'Dancing Lasha Tumbai' at a dress rehearsal for the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest, in Helsinki, Finland, May 12, 2007. The 68th Eurovision Song Contest is taking place in May in Malmö, Sweden. It will see acts from 37 countries vie for the continent’s pop crown. Founded in 1956, Eurovision is a feelgood extravaganza that strives to banish international strife and division. It’s known for songs that range from anthemic to extremely silly, often with elaborate costumes and spectacular staging. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant, File)
FILE - Finnish group Lordi celebrate after their victory in the Eurovision Song Contest at the Indoor Olympic stadium in Athens, Greece, May 21, 2006. The 68th Eurovision Song Contest is taking place in May in Malmö, Sweden. It will see acts from 37 countries vie for the continent’s pop crown. Founded in 1956, Eurovision is a feelgood extravaganza that strives to banish international strife and division. It’s known for songs that range from anthemic to extremely silly, often with elaborate costumes and spectacular staging. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris, File)
FILE - The WIG WAM group of Norway perform during the semifinal dress rehearsal of the Eurovision song contest in Kyiv, Ukraine, May 18, 2005. The 68th Eurovision Song Contest is taking place in May in Malmö, Sweden. It will see acts from 37 countries vie for the continent’s pop crown. Founded in 1956, Eurovision is a feelgood extravaganza that strives to banish international strife and division. It’s known for songs that range from anthemic to extremely silly, often with elaborate costumes and spectacular staging. (AP Photo/Sergey Ponomarev, File)
FILE - Austria's entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2003 Alf Poier sings 'Man is a Measure of all Things' during the final in Riga, Latvia, May 24, 2003. The 68th Eurovision Song Contest is taking place in May in Malmö, Sweden. It will see acts from 37 countries vie for the continent’s pop crown. Founded in 1956, Eurovision is a feelgood extravaganza that strives to banish international strife and division. It’s known for songs that range from anthemic to extremely silly, often with elaborate costumes and spectacular staging. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant, File)
FILE - Israeli singer Dana International celebrates her victory in the Eurovision Song Contest at the Birmingham Indoor Arena, England, Sunday May 10, 1998. The 68th Eurovision Song Contest is taking place in May in Malmö, Sweden. It will see acts from 37 countries vie for the continent’s pop crown. Founded in 1956, Eurovision is a feelgood extravaganza that strives to banish international strife and division. It’s known for songs that range from anthemic to extremely silly, often with elaborate costumes and spectacular staging. (AP Photo/Louisa Buller, File)
FILE - Germany's Guildo Horn performs on stage in the final dress rehearsal in Birmingham, England, Saturday, May 9, 1998, ahead of the final. The 68th Eurovision Song Contest is taking place in May in Malmö, Sweden. It will see acts from 37 countries vie for the continent’s pop crown. Founded in 1956, Eurovision is a feelgood extravaganza that strives to banish international strife and division. It’s known for songs that range from anthemic to extremely silly, often with elaborate costumes and spectacular staging. (AP Photo/Louisa Buller, File)
FILE - Celine Dion shows her Eurovision Song Contest trophy in Dublin, Ireland, May 1, 1988. The 68th Eurovision Song Contest is taking place in May in Malmö, Sweden. It will see acts from 37 countries vie for the continent’s pop crown. Founded in 1956, Eurovision is a feelgood extravaganza that strives to banish international strife and division. It’s known for songs that range from anthemic to extremely silly, often with elaborate costumes and spectacular staging. (AP Photo/Peter Kemp, File)
FILE - Swedish pop group ABBA celebrate winning the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest on stage at the Brighton Dome in England with their song Waterloo, April 6, 1974. The 68th Eurovision Song Contest is taking place in May in Malmö, Sweden. It will see acts from 37 countries vie for the continent’s pop crown. Founded in 1956, Eurovision is a feelgood extravaganza that strives to banish international strife and division. It’s known for songs that range from anthemic to extremely silly, often with elaborate costumes and spectacular staging. (AP Photo/Robert Dear, File)
