Eurovision 2011 in Düsseldorf: a ceremonial opening at the Tonhalle, participation of 43 countries, semi-finals and the final at Arena 10, the contest’s budget, and Ukraine’s representative Mika Newton.
The international song contest Eurovision 2011 has officially entered its final preparation phase. The opening ceremony took place on Saturday on the picturesque embankment of the Rhine, at one of Düsseldorf’s main cultural landmarks — the concert hall and planetarium Tonhalle Düsseldorf.
According to the contest’s press service, the final competition week was officially launched by Düsseldorf Mayor Dirk Elbers and Eurovision Executive Supervisor Jon Ola Sand. They formally welcomed the delegations of all 43 participating countries, highlighting the international scale and cultural significance of the contest.
Traditionally, the opening ceremony was accompanied by a parade of delegations along the red carpet. Around 1,200 accredited journalists from all over the world covered the event. Special identification wristbands were prepared for media representatives, granting access to key venues.
The main competitive shows — the semi-finals and the final — were held at Arena 10 (also known as the Düsseldorf Arena). The semi-finals took place on May 10 and 12, while the grand final was held on May 14. Organizers also allowed audiences to attend the contestants’ dress rehearsals, with tickets available for public sale.
Germany earned the right to host the contest after Lena Meyer-Landrut won Eurovision 2010 in Oslo, marking a significant cultural event for the country.
According to German media reports, the budget of Eurovision 2011 amounted to approximately €23–25 million. The projected economic return was estimated at around €140 million, including tourism, media exposure, and related revenues. These figures were previously announced by the contest’s chief PR agent, Christian Huppertz.
The 2011 contest became the 56th edition in Eurovision history. Ukraine was represented by singer Mika Newton (real name — Oksana Hrytsai), whose performance attracted heightened attention from both audiences and the professional jury.
Eurovision 2011 in Düsseldorf once again confirmed the contest’s status as one of Europe’s largest music and media events, uniting culture, technology, and a multi-million global audience.
