The Eurovision Song Contest is set to crown its winner in what's expected to be a show-stopping grand final today.
The annual competition – now in its 68th year – started in 1956 to foster unity after World War II.
Watch the live stream of the final here from 7am NZ time:
The event has since expanded to include non-European countries such as Australia and Israel.
The competition has catapulted many acts into international stardom over its long history, including Swedish supergroup ABBA, Canadian "Queen of Power Ballads" Celine Dion, and Italian rock band Måneskin.
About 180 million people around the world are expected to tune in as performers take to the stage at Malmö Arena in Sweden – and this year’s finale is expected to be replete with powerful and theatrical acts.
Thirty-seven performers were narrowed down to 26 for the final.
The finalists are Sweden, Ukraine, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Israel, Lithuania, Spain, Estonia, Ireland, Latvia, Greece, the United Kingdom, Norway, Italy, Serbia, Finland, Portugal, Armenia, Cyprus, Switzerland, Slovenia, Croatia, Georgia, France, and Austria.
Australia and Poland were among the countries which failed to make the cut.
The firm favourites are Baby Lasagna from Croatia, Ireland’s Bambie Thug, and Swiss performer Nemo.
It comes as the Israel-Gaza conflict threatens to overshow the politically neutral event, with protests expected against the inclusion of Israel.
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