EUROVISION'S 30 MOST CONTROVERSIAL MOMENTS. 
Part 15: 1999 (A Sample Of Croatia)
Continues tomorrow.

THE BIGGEST CONTROVERSIES

Of the

EUROVISION SONG CONTEST

(1956 - 2019)  

From its inaugural year, the Eurovision Song Contest has had more than its fair share of controversial moments. This is a special look back on 30 significant upsets in chronological order.

1999

A Sample of Croatia

The Eurovision Song Contest returned to Jerusalem in 1999 following Dana International’s win with “Diva” in the previous year. This was a year that ushered in many lasting changes.

Firstly, new rules allowed countries to sing in any language that they preferred. As a result of this change, the vast majority of songs at Eurovision are now performed in English.

1999 also marked the end of an era: no more live orchestra. Entries could now use a backing tape for the music, but not the vocals. This change displeased many ESC purists. 

It was also announced that (as Eurovision’s 4 biggest financial contributors): France, Spain, the UK and Germany would automatically pre-qualify, unlike all of the other participating countries.

As the evening got underway, Norway protested against the Croatian entry. “Marija Magdalena”, performed by Doris Dragovik, featured a choir that was not on stage with him. The Croatians argued that they had used a synthesized sample. As a result, a third of Croatia’s points were deducted.