The music superstar delivered a pre-recorded message to the multi-national singing competition as Dion continues to battle a rare neurological disorder called Stiff Person Syndrome.

BASEL, Switzerland (AP) — Competition in the 69th Eurovision Song Contest kicked off Tuesday, with sauna-loving Swedish entry KAJ gaining a place in the final and five countries going home after the first of two semifinals of the pan-continental music extravaganza.

Céline Dion surprised Eurovision 2025 fans with a special appearance to share a pre-recorded message during the annual song contest, which she previously won for Switzerland in 1988.

The Eurovision Song Contest is here! The 69th annual music competition event features nearly 40 countries starting on Tuesday, May 13. Want to watch Eurovision 2025? Here’s what you need to know. When Is Eurovision Song Contest 2025?

With fans from more than 80 countries arriving in Basel, Switzerland, for the 69th Eurovision Song Contest (ESC), the city is prepared not only to host the world’s largest live music event, but also to unlock a wave of economic, cultural, and social benefits.

The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 is in full swing. Occurring in three rounds, the First Semi-Final was held on May 13, the Second Semi-Final will be on May 15 and the Grand Final will take place on May 17. Each round streams exclusively on Peacock.

Countries from across Europe — and a few beyond, like Israel and Australia — have sent an act to Eurovision. The performers will take the stage at St. Jakobshalle arena in semifinals on Tuesday and Thursday that will choose 20 acts to go through to the final.

Contestants from Malta, Sweden, Estonia, and the Netherlands are among those favored to win Eurovision this year.

Pro-Palestinian protesters have planned to walk the streets of Basel "silently" to demonstrate against Israel's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest.