The city of Rotterdam is getting ready to host the Eurovision Song Contest, here are some of the initiatives taking place across the city

The Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Rotterdam on 18, 20 and 22 May, in an adapted form. The celebration will be different this year: all the more reason to show that a worldwide connection with the city is still possible. This newsletter highlights some of the initiatives and projects that will create international visibility for the city and engage fans from all over the world. Read more here…

Eurovision Village
The virtual doors of the Online Eurovision Village are open to visitors from around the world from 15 – 23 May. This online platform is the world’s first virtual version of the Eurovision Village that was originally planned near the Markthal in Rotterdam. Fans and viewers can immerse themselves in the 3D world of the Eurovision Song Contest 2021. It features live concerts by international and Dutch artists such as Johnny Logan and Afrojack. Find out more here…

#SWINGALONG
For those who can’t come to Rotterdam, we have created a virtual dance challenge #SWINGALONG. Watch the tutorial and make use of the 360-degree Rotterdam filters for Instagram and TikTok. The best and most sensational videos will be projected onto the World Port Centre. Watch the video and listen to the club edit on Spotify. More information here…

ABBA traffic light
Crossing the street has never been so much fun. The world’s first swinging traffic light can be found in Rotterdam. In honour of Eurovision, the traffic light in front of host venue Rotterdam Ahoy plays ABBA’s hit song ‘Waterloo’ when the light turns green. Click here… for more

Jeangu Macrooy street art
Visual artist Tymon de Laat has immortalised Jeangu Macrooy on an enormous wall near the Ahoy venue. Called ‘Birth of a New Age’, the mural is part of a larger street art project called #UpStreet. Several European artists will also work together to create a collective artwork on six large shipping containers. Read more here…

City dressing
Artist duo VollaersZwart are dressing up iconic buildings and public space with a medley of winning songs in the colours of the flags of the competing countries. Old national flags and other recycled materials were used to make the canvas. The large banner, which starts at Central Station and ends at Ahoy, is 6 kilometres long! More here…

Taste of Rotterdam
Cook now and visit later. Taste of Rotterdam contains 41 recipes from the competing countries. Rotterdam based chef Terry Priem created this first Eurovision-inspired cookbook and talked to local artists and entrepreneurs like singer Shirma Rouse. More information here…

The Splash
Dip your toes, dive in or take a seat. A new interactive pool, designed by Cindy Bakker in collaboration with ARTTENDERS, has just opened in Rotterdam. Inspired by the paddling pools of the 1960s, the multifunctional design provides a colourful and fun meeting place and is part of the official city dressing. See more here…

City Program
The City Program aims to involve as many locals as possible in the festive spirit of Eurovision. Highlights include the online world premiere of the British Eurovision musical Let Me Be the One and a runway and lip-sync battle live from music venue BIRD. City carillonneur Richard de Waardt will play songs from all of the participating countries from the carillons of city hall and the Church of St. Lawrence. Find out more here…