From ABBA to the present: the European Broadcasting Union is marking Eurovision’s 70th anniversary with a new official book that reveals seven decades of music, drama and behind-the-scenes stories.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is ramping up preparations for the 70th anniversary of the Eurovision Song Contest, launching the full range of branded Eurovision 2026 merchandise for sale on the official website, ahead of the contest in Vienna, Austria. Among the products is the surprise every Eurovision fan would love to receive – a new book devoted entirely to the contest’s seven-decade history. The book joins an already ambitious anniversary programme and a series of format and branding changes for the 70th celebrations, including an updated logo, a unique stage design, a change in the traditional Te Daum and a live anniversary tour that was dramatically cancelled last week due to low demand.
Secrets Revealed: A Look Behind the Scenes of Eurovision
The book, written by Paul Lang, with a foreword by British television presenter and one of the hosts of Eurovision 2023 in Liverpool, Graham Norton, is titled “Eurovision Song Contest: Seven Decades of Glitz, Glamour and Unforgettable Performances”. It is set to cover the full history of the Eurovision Song Contest from its inception to the present day. 
The book will document all the moments that made viewers at home laugh, cry and cheer. It will unveil the most memorable images and background stories, the controversies that shook the stage, and the fashion statements that have defined the contest over the years.
The stories in the book are told from the perspective of legendary Eurovision participants from across the continent – from the iconic 1974 victory of ABBA and Sweden, through to Kalush Orchestra, who secured Ukraine’s third Eurovision win in 2022. The book brings the behind-the-scenes world of this beloved contest to the forefront, highlighting how its unique magic has united and captivated millions of people around the globe.
Availability, pre-orders and pricing
The book is now available for pre-order via the official Eurovision online shop, alongside a range of additional branded Eurovision 2026 merchandise ahead of the contest in Vienna, all of which can already be purchased. The book, scheduled for release on 9 April, will cost 26 pounds before shipping. Other Eurovision products, including T‑shirts, hoodies and additional items, will range in price from 12 to 100 pounds.
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Because the book has not yet been released, while the other merchandise is already available, anyone wishing to order the book together with additional products must place a separate order for the book. For the official Eurovision shop and all available products – click here.
Innovations and surprises for the 70th Eurovision
The book is only one part of the extensive and forward-looking preparations led by the EBU ahead of the contest’s 70th anniversary. In recent months, several dramatic shifts and innovative, technology‑driven changes to the Eurovision format have been announced.
The first step was a redesign of the iconic logo, which has been changed for the first time in a decade and adapted to the digital era. At the heart of the new design is the “Chameleon Heart” – a clean, modern three-dimensional symbol made up of 70 different layers, with each layer representing one year in the contest’s rich history.
In January, the European Broadcasting Union also decided to update its classic “Te Deum”, reshaping it for the modern era with a new, more refined visual identity. The revamp continued with a striking new stage concept by Florian Wieder, who also designed last year’s stage in Basel. This year, he has chosen to put classicism and elegance centre stage, with a design inspired by the Viennese Secession art movement. The result is an extraordinary set that evokes the atmosphere of a royal concert hall, making extensive use of
gold elements, organic shapes and curved lines.
The centrepiece of the 70th‑anniversary celebrations was originally planned to be a groundbreaking live tour across several European countries. The tour was set to feature iconic past Eurovision participants who helped shape the contest, alongside ten acts from the grand final of Eurovision 2026 and a rotating line‑up of special guest performers at each stop – all designed to create an unforgettable experience for audiences. Unfortunately, the tour faced fierce criticism from fans over high ticket prices and was eventually cancelled due to insufficient demand.
The innovative visual designs, the anniversary book, and the evocative connection between past and present all point to a European Broadcasting Union determined to deliver the most ambitious and carefully crafted 70th‑anniversary celebrations for audiences worldwide. Taken together, they strongly suggest that Eurovision 2026 in Vienna will be packed with surprises.
Eurovision 2026: The 70th Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Austria, following the country’s third historic win with the song “Wasted Love” performed by JJ. This will be the third time the contest is hosted in Austria, after 1967 and 2015.
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