Eurovision 2020: Alexander Rybak to perform with 6 other Eurovision-winners at the Grand Final

With less than 100 days until the Grand Final, Host Broadcasters NPO/NOS/AVROTROS reveal the first names of opening and interval acts for the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest.

Featuring more winners than ever before, the Contest’s 65th anniversary will become a celebration of music and diversity, building a bridge to connect generations.

Teach-In celebrating their 1975 win for the Netherlands at Schiphol AirportRob Mieremet/Anefo (Nationaal Archief)

A Winners’ Journey

During the Grand Final on 16 May, as voters at home make up their minds, 7 former winners will sing their Eurovision evergreens during an unforgettable medley. Bridging between the live audience in Ahoy and hotspots across Rotterdam, we’ll open up to former Eurovision winners and the Host City like never before.Gigliola Cinquetti (Italy 1964) will sing her beautiful Non ho l’età, Lenny Kuhr (Netherlands 1969) will perform De Troubadour and 

Teach-In’s Getty Kaspers (Netherlands 1975) will sing Ding-A-Dong, the last Dutch Eurovision winner for 44 years, until she could pass on the baton to Duncan Laurence last year.

Belgium’s Sandra Kim (1986) will sing J’aime La Vie, 

Paul Harrington & Charlie McGettigan will once again perform Rock ‘n’ Roll Kids (Ireland 1994) and 

Alexander Rybak will pick up his violin to perform Fairytale (Norway 2009).

And of course, moments before passing on the trophy to the next Eurovision Song Contest winner, Duncan Laurence will sing his Arcade once more.

Buckle up!

During each of the 3 live shows, Eurovision Song Contest presenter Edsilia Rombley (who represented the Netherlands in 1998 and 2007) will be Eurovision’s favourite taxi driver, driving around the streets of Rotterdam together with 4 past Eurovision winners: Ruslana (Ukraine 2004), Anne-Marie David (Luxembourg 1973), Izhar Cohen (Israel 1978) and Niamh Kavanagh (Ireland 1993). They will talk about winning the Eurovision trophy and what the Contest has meant for their careers afterwards. And who knows what else will happen while on the road!

Redo to breakdance into 2nd Semi-Final

Internationally renowned breakdancer and motivational speaker Redo (Redouan Aiit Chit) will open the 2nd Semi-Final with a spectacular performance.

Redo was born with several physical malformations. He has a shorter right arm, which lacks an elbow joint, and has a total of 5 fingers – 2 on the right hand and 3 on the left. He is also missing his right hip, has a shorter right leg, and walks with the aid of a prosthetic. Despite these complications, Redo never allowed his situation to negatively affect his life.

Gerben Bakker, Head of Show of the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest, says: “We would like to show Dutch talent in all its facets. Redo’s enormous talent and story fit perfectly with the inclusivity and diversity of this year’s contest and the theme Open Up!”

At age 14, Redo spotted a group of people b-boying (breakdancing) at his high school. It was love at first sight and he decided to take dance classes, despite his physical condition. Initially, he had a hard time learning the basics because he wasn’t able to manage all of the steps. However, through creativity, determination, and the encouragement of his friends, he was able to create a style of his own.

While Redo is familiar with international competitions and performing in front of big crowds, he considers this opportunity to be “next level”. Redo proves to anyone who thought of disabilities as limitations that anything is possible.

Details on the remaining opening and interval acts for the 3 live shows will be revealed in the weeks to come, so stay tuned for more information as we open up to the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 in Rotterdam!