History Heartwarming / EurovisionSongContest

** [[http://esctoday.com/149399/israel-ipbc-confirms-participation-eurovision-2018/ And they are!]]

* During the 2017 jury voting, the Israeli spokesman, Ofer Nachshon, announced that the IBA (the now-former broadcaster of the contest in Israel) would be shutting down right after the final. The hosts in Ukraine and the audience gave him a warm round of applause as he said he hoped to see Israel perform again in the future. Not only did they perform again the next year, they '''won''' with Toy by Netta Barzilai. Next year in Jerusalem!

* During the 2017 jury voting, the Israeli spokesman, Ofer Nachshon, announced that the IBA (the now-former broadcaster of the contest in Israel) would be shutting down right after the final. The hosts in Ukraine and the audience gave him a warm round of applause as he said he hoped to see Israel perform again in the future.

* In a similar example to others listed here, Austria's Cesar Sampson (who won the jury vote) congratulating 2018 winner Netta from Israel as the Israeli delegation made their way to the stage.

* The sudden influx of countries qualifying in 2018 that usually missed out led to some pretty heartwarming reactions from the commentators, particularly Finland's (who screamed with joy) and Ireland's (who remarked that the other commentators were waving to him).

* The uproarious cheering for Australia's spokesperson in the 2015 final.

* During the first semi-final of 2018, after the announcement of the qualifiers, Spain's Amaia & Alfred (who were in the building because Spain voted in this semi despite having an automatic pass to the finals due to its Big 5 status) darted to Iceland's table to console the country's representative Ari Ólafsson, who hadn't made the cut.

* The uproarious cheering for Australia's spokesperson in the 2015 final during the voting.

* During the first semi-final of 2018, after the announcement of the qualifiers, Spain's Amaia & Alfred (who were in the building because Spain voted in this semi despite having an automatic pass to the finals due to its Big 5 status) darted to Iceland's table to console the country's representative Ari Ólafsson, who hadn't made the cut.

** One charming moment was him inviting Frances Ruffelle, the British competitor in '94, up to the commentator's booth after her performance to congratulate her. They had a nice chat before the German entry, both admitting they [[INeedAFreakingDrink needed a freaking drink.]]

* Whenever the [[DeadpanSnarker notoriously snarky]] Creator/TerryWogan showed a softer side in his commentaries. Deep in his heart, he did enjoy covering the contest (and admitted as much a few times), and moments where he was clearly enjoying himself were always fun. His showing a particular liking to different vote presenters was quite endearing (on one occasion, when the person giving the votes skipped six points and had to start over, he remarked that it was OK and she was trying her best) as was his quick admission when a song he disliked placed high that he missed something everyone else saw in it.

** After the winner's reprise, Nilsson then led all of the contestants in a rendition of the winner from twenty years prior, "Hallelujah," as a tribute to the victims of the Balkan War.

** Similarly, the UK's Sonia being very classy when Ireland's Niamh Kavanagh won over her entry in 1993.

* In 1999, Sweden's Charlotte Nilsson and Iceland's Selma were neck-in-neck for the win. The moment Sweden started pulling away and their victory was clear, Nilsson ''immediately'' went to Selma and gave her a hug.

** The grand finale was a medley of classic songs, capped off by Conchita Wurst and Dana International singing the first verse of [[Music/{{ABBA}} "Waterloo"]]. This was already sweet as a way to ShoutOut the major LGBT fanbase Eurovision has (two winners, one openly gay and the other transgender, performing a song by a group with its own major LGBT fanbase). Then they were joined by all the night's performers (except, ironically enough, the Swedish Loreen) - even rockers Lordi and [[TheVoiceless the members of Riverdance]] - to finish the song. The diorama of different performers, from all over the country (and, in Israel's case, the world), all different kinds of music, united together to celebrate music and how it brings people together - it's a good summation of why Eurovision is still beloved today. They're like a big, very silly but ultimately lovable family. A continent brought together by a common desire to laugh and sing. Who says Europe's divided?

** He also wore a jumper reading "SOS refugees", to lobby for an improved application system for the benefit of asylum seekers, so that they don't have to require an application form, at the qualifiers press conference [[http://wiwibloggs.com/2017/05/12/eurovision-odds-portugal-passes-italy-become-favourite-win-grand-final/189467/]].

* Dana performing for Ireland in 1970. With the nation suffering during UsefulNotes/TheTroubles, her performance - simple and charming - was a happy break in the drama. She won, and received an enormous outpouring of support upon her return to Ireland.

* The day before the 2015 final, Ireland had a historic referendum on legalising gay marriage. The vote passed and Ireland received a massive applause from the crowd in Vienna.

* In January 2016 Terry Wogan who had commentated United Kingdom for over 30 years died. At the contest his successor Graham Norton toasted him at song nine along with many in the UK.

* In 2017, Portugal sent Salvador Sobral, a singer with a hipster hairstyle and a very delicate health. When Sobral won the Portuguese selection with Louis Armstrong-Esque Own Language ballad "Amar Pelos Dios" (love for both), he had to have hernia and heart operations, couldn't partake in overseas promotion gigs, and had to miss technical rehearsals, where his sister Luisa, also the song's writer, performed on his behalf. When Salvador was able to perform, he became the first Portuguese song in the final in 7 years and many tastemakers think he could be their first top 5 placing at the 47th attempt.
** He also wore a jumper reading "SOS refugees", to lobby for an improved application system for the benefit of asylum seekers, so that they don't have to require an application form, at the qualifiers press conference [[http://wiwibloggs.com/2017/05/12/eurovision-odds-portugal-passes-italy-become-favourite-win-grand-final/189467/]].
** He wasn't just their first top 5 finisher - Sobral ended up [[CrowningMomentOfAwesome winning the whole thing]], Portugal's first Eurovision winner ever. And making it even more heartwarming, he then performed the winner's reprise as a duet with his sister.

* During the 2017 jury voting, the Israeli spokesman, Ofer Nachshon, announced that the IBA (the now-former broadcaster of the contest in Israel) would be shutting down right after the final. The hosts in Ukraine and the audience gave him a warm round of applause as he said he hoped to see Israel perform again in the future.

** Earlier that night she had announced her pregnancy through the introductory postcard before her performance

* In 2017, Portugal sent Salvador Sobral, a singer with a hipster hairstyle and a very delicate health. When Sobral won the Portuguese selection with Louis Armstrong-Esque Own Language ballad "Amar Pelos Dios" (love for both), he had to have hernia and heart operations, couldn't partake in overseas promotion gigs, and had to miss technical rehearsals, where his sister, also the song's writer, performed on his behalf. When Salvador was able to perform, he became the first Portuguese song in the final in 7 years and many tastemakers think he could be their first top 5 placing at the 47th attempt.

** He wasn't just their first top 5 finisher - Sobral ended up [[CrowningMomentOfAwesome winning the whole thing]], Portugal's first Eurovision winner ever.

** He wasn't just their first top 5 finisher - Sobral ended up [[CrowningMomentOfAwesome winning the whole thing]], Portugal's first Eurovision winner ever.