Editing Eurovision Song Contest (section)

=== Preparations ===
[[File:Netta at the Eurovision 2018 - Winner’s Press Conference 03.jpg|alt=A press conference during the 2012 contest; the Serbian delegation are seated at a long table with rows of journalists seated facing them, with a large screen on the wall behind the delegation projecting a live relay of the conference.|thumb|Press conference with the Israeli delegation following its win at the {{Escyr|2018|3=2018 contest}}]]
[[File:Pht-Vugar Ibadov eurovision (35).jpg|thumb|alt=Photo of the EuroClub in 2012; a large group of delegates are seen conversing|The EuroClub at the {{Escyr|2012|3=2012 contest}} in [[Baku]], Azerbaijan]]
Preparations in the host venue typically begin approximately six weeks before the final, to accommodate building works and technical rehearsals before the arrival of the competing artists.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Anforderungsprofil an die Austragungsstätte des Eurovision Song Contest 2015 |trans-title=Requirements to the venue of the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 |url=http://kundendienst.orf.at/aktuelles/anforderungsprofl_austragungsstaette.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531162001/http://kundendienst.orf.at/aktuelles/anforderungsprofl_austragungsstaette.pdf |archive-date=31 May 2014 |access-date=3 July 2020 |publisher=[[ORF (broadcaster)|ORF]] |language=de}}</ref> Delegations will typically arrive in the host city two to three weeks before the live show, and each participating broadcaster appoints a head of delegation, responsible for coordinating the movements of their delegation and being their representative to the EBU.<ref name="Rules" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Rules of the 2005 Eurovision Song Contest |url=http://www.eurovision.tv/searchfiles_english/574.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060210010517/http://www.eurovision.tv/searchfiles_english/574.htm |archive-date=10 February 2006 |access-date=3 July 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref> Members of each country's delegation include performers, composers, lyricists, a Head of Press, and—in the years where a live orchestra was present—a conductor.<ref name="HoDs">{{Cite web |date=14 January 2017 |title=Eurovision Song Contest: Heads of Delegation |url=https://eurovision.tv/about/organisers/heads-of-delegation/ |access-date=5 July 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref> Present if desired is a commentator, who provides commentary of the event for their radio and/or television feed in their own language in dedicated booths situated around the back of the arena behind the audience.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 May 2011 |title=Commentator's guide to the commentators |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/commentator-s-guide-to-the-commentators |access-date=3 July 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Escudero |first=Victor M. |date=14 May 2017 |title=Commentators: The national hosts of Eurovision |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/commentators-sweden-mans-zelmerlow-edward-af-sillen |access-date=3 July 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref>

Each delegation conducts two individual rehearsals behind closed doors, the first for 30 minutes and the second for 20 minutes.<ref name="2008 rehearsal schedule" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Granger |first=Anthony |date=10 May 2023 |title=Eurovision 2023: EBU & BBC Discuss Voting, Rehearsals & Qualifiers Announcement |url=https://eurovoix.com/2023/05/10/eurovision-2023-ebu-bbc-conference/ |access-date=11 May 2023 |website=Eurovoix |language=en-GB}}</ref> Individual rehearsals for the semi-finalists commence the week before the live shows, with countries typically rehearsing in the order in which they will perform during the contest; rehearsals for the host country and the "Big Five" automatic finalists are held towards the end of the week.<ref name="2008 rehearsal schedule">{{Cite web |title=Eurovision Song Contest 2008: Rehearsal schedule |url=http://www.eurovision.tv/upload/media/ESC2008_rehearsals.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081221010818/http://www.eurovision.tv/upload/media/ESC2008_rehearsals.pdf |archive-date=21 December 2008 |access-date=3 July 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref><ref name="2018 rehearsal schedule">{{Cite web |date=27 April 2018 |title=Your ultimate guide to the Eurovision 2018 event weeks |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/guide-to-eurovision-2018-event-weeks-rehearal-schedule |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518142209/https://eurovision.tv/story/guide-to-eurovision-2018-event-weeks-rehearal-schedule |archive-date=18 May 2019 |access-date=3 July 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref> Following rehearsals, delegations meet with the show's production team to review footage of the rehearsal and raise any special requirements or changes. "Meet and greet" sessions with accredited fans and press are held during these rehearsal weeks.<ref name="2008 rehearsal schedule" /><ref name="Event weeks">{{Cite web |date=21 March 2017 |title=Eurovision Song Contest: Event weeks |url=https://eurovision.tv/about/in-depth/event-weeks |access-date=3 July 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref> Each live show is preceded by three dress rehearsals, where the whole show is run in the same way as it will be presented on TV.<ref name="Event weeks" /> The second dress rehearsal, alternatively called the "jury show" or "evening preview show"<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-03-27 |title=Tickets for Eurovision 2024 in Malmö |url=https://eurovision.tv/tickets |access-date=2023-12-03 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest |language=en}}</ref> and held the night before the broadcast, is used as a recorded back-up in case of technological failure, and performances during this show are used by the professional jury in each country to determine their votes.<ref name="2018 rehearsal schedule" /><ref name="Event weeks" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=17 May 2013 |title=Time now for the all important Jury Final |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/time-now-for-the-all-important-jury-final |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902160705/https://eurovision.tv/story/time-now-for-the-all-important-jury-final |archive-date=2 September 2019 |access-date=25 March 2021 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref> The delegations from the qualifying countries in each semi-final attend a qualifiers' press conference after their respective semi-final, and the winning delegation attends a winners' press conference following the final.<ref name="Event weeks" />

A welcome reception is typically held at a venue in the host city on the Sunday preceding the live shows, which includes a [[red carpet]] ceremony for all the participating countries and is usually broadcast online.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 May 2010 |title=Welcome Reception: Pink champagne for the stars |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/welcome-reception-pink-champagne-for-the-stars |access-date=3 July 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=12 May 2019 |title=Tel Aviv prepares for glamorous Orange Carpet |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/tel-aviv-prepares-for-glamorous-orange-carpet-tune-in-at-18-00-cest |access-date=3 July 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref> Accredited delegates, press and fans have access to an official nightclub, the "EuroClub", and some delegations will hold their own parties.<ref name="Event weeks" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=21 April 2017 |title=Eurovision Song Contest: EuroClub |url=https://eurovision.tv/fans/euroclub |access-date=3 July 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=14 May 2011 |title='Big Five' meet to take a trip down the Rhine |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/big-five-meet-to-take-a-trip-down-the-rhine |access-date=3 July 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref> The "Eurovision Village" is an official fan zone open to the public free of charge, with live performances by the contest's artists and screenings of the live shows on big screens.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 April 2018 |title=Eurovision Song Contest: Eurovision Village |url=https://eurovision.tv/fans/eurovision-village |access-date=3 July 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref>