18 days ago

Date: 14 May 2011
Host Venue: Esprit Arena, Düsseldorf, Germany
Presenters: Anke Engelke, Judith Rakers, Stefan Raab
Directed by Ladislaus Kiraly - Executive supervisor: Jon Ola Sand
Executive producer : Ralf Quibeldey, Thomas Schreiber
Host broadcaster: Arbeitsgemeinschaft der öffentlich-rechtlichen Rundfunkanstalten der Bundesrepublik Deutschland (ARD), Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR)
Opening act: Grand final: Stefan Raab performing "Satellite" with Lena Meyer-Landrut
Interval acts:
Semi-final 1: Cold Steel Drummers - Semi-final 2: Flying Steps performing "Flying Bach"
Grand final: Jan Delay performing "Oh Jonny" and "Klar"

The Eurovision Song Contest 2011 was the 56th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. It took place in Düsseldorf, Germany, following the country's victory at the 2010 contest with the song "Satellite" by Lena. Organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and host broadcasters Arbeitsgemeinschaft Rundfunkanstalten Deutschland (ARD) and Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR), the contest was held at the Düsseldorf Arena and consisted of two semi-finals on 10 and 12 May, and a final on 14 May 2011. The three live shows were presented by German comedian Anke Engelke, television presenter Judith Rakers as well as former German contestant and songwriter Stefan Raab.

Forty-three countries participated in the contest, equalling the record of the 2008 edition. Four countries returned to the contest this year; Austria returned after their last participation in 2007, Hungary returned after their last participation in 2009, San Marino returned after their very first participation in 2008. Italy also returned to the contest after their last participation fourteen years earlier, in 1997.

The winner was Azerbaijan with the song "Running Scared", performed by Ell and Nikki and written by Stefan Örn, Sandra Bjurman and Iain James Farquharson. This was Azerbaijan's first victory in the contest, after only 4 years of participation.

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