Representation of National Images at the Eurovision Song Contest (Using the Example of the Netherlands and Norway)

The article examines the Eurovision Song Contest as a platform for cultural diplomacy and representation of national identity. Using an imagological approach, the performances of the Netherlands (Duncan Lawrence, “Arcade”) and Norway (KEiiNO group, “Spirit in the Sky”) at the 2019 contest are analyzed as examples of various strategies of national self-presentation. The research focuses on the visual (set design, costumes, choreography) and musical (arrangement, text) elements of performances. Special attention is paid to the differences in the ratings of the jury and the audience, which allows us to identify the success factors at the competition and the peculiarities of perception of national images. The results of the study demonstrate how Eurovision serves as a tool for intercultural interaction, contributing to the deconstruction of stereotypes and the strengthening of national identities on the world stage.