2016-03-16 13:22Press release

EUROPEAN BROADCASTING UNION PARTNERS WITH ABBA THE MUSEUM ON NEW EUROVISION SONG CONTEST EXHIBITION – PREMIERS 7 OF MAY

ABBA The Museum and the European Broadcasting Union are excited to announce the opening of a new exhibition, dedicated to The Eurovision Song Contest. The interactive ”GOOD EVENING EUROPE!” exhibition will celebrate the history of the world’s longest running annual television competition that was first held in 1956. On May 7 2016 the exhibition has its premier with international and national guests attending. The project has been initiated by ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus together with the EBU’s Eurovision Song Contest Executive Supervisor, Jon Ola Sand.


The visitor will be able, for the first time, to delve into hundreds of hours of Eurovision Song Contest Shows. Every existing Contest has been digitalized and displayed in a fun, TV-like setting for visitors to access. From the first winner, Switzerland’s Lys Assia in 1956 to Sweden’s Måns Zelmerlöw in 2015, visitors can immerse themselves in 60 years of great performances, nail-biting moments and classic television moments.

Björn Ulvaeus says; “The Eurovision Song Contest occupies a special place in my heart. It is a pleasure to be able to display the long and in many ways astonishing history of the largest running TV show in the world, where music is at the centre. And I couldn’t think of any better place to do it than at ABBA The Museum in Stockholm.”

A special wall will also honour the Sweden’s six Eurovision winners; ABBA, Herreys, Carola, Charlotte Perrelli, Loreen and Måns Zelmerlöw with stories written by Christer Björkman, the King of Sweden’s Melodifestival. Visitors can test their Eurovision Song Contest knowledge with an interactive quiz too.

Jon Ola Sand says: “We are really excited to be working with ABBA The Museum on this unique exhibition celebrating 60 years of great music and television. It is fitting that, as the Contest returns to Stockholm for the 3rd time, the history of the world’s biggest music event can now be explored alongside that of its most successful winners.”

The exhibition has been curated by ABBA The Museum Director Ingmarie Halling and set designer Bengt Fröderberg together with Anna Söderberg.

Ingmarie Halling says: “I believe everyone has heard the words ”Good Evening Europe!” coming from a TV set nearby at some point in their lives. A song contest so old, so hot and so loved by so many viewers is unique. It ́s a real honour for ABBA The Museum at Pop House that together with the EBU get the chance to show this colourful exhibition for fans, friends, media and artists from back in the day until now.”

In the exhibition there will also be the chance to sing favourite songs on the Eurovision stage itself as well as see original costumes from selected artists who have taken part in Europe’s favourite TV show over the past six decades.

And the winner is...
The exhibition will feature an empty space to be filled by the winner of the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest which will be held in Stockholm on 10, 12 &14 May. After the Grand Final, the winning artist is invited to visit the museum the next day and place one item from their performance in the exhibition.

PRESS CONTACT
ABBA THE MUSEUM and POP HOUSE
Ebba Lindqvist PR
brev@ebbalindqvist.se
+46-70-480 33 00

ABBA THE MUSEUM och POP HOUSE
Catarina Falkenhav Försäljnings- och Marknadschef
E: press@abbathemuseum.com
M: +46-733603117

EUROPEAN BROADCASTING UNION
Dave Goodman Senior Communications Officer
goodman@eurovision.net
T +41 22 717 2415
M +41 79 634 9097

ABOUT THE EBU
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is the world’s foremost alliance of public service media (PSM). Our mission is to make PSM indispensable. We have 73 Members in 56 countries in Europe, and an additional 34 Associates in Asia, Africa and
the Americas. Our Members operate over 1,800 television and radio channels, broadcasting in more than 120 different languages. They reach audiences of more than one billion people around the world. Our television and radio services operate under the trademarks of Eurovision and Euroradio. Eurovision is the media industry’s premier distributor and producer of top-quality live news, sport, entertainment, culture and music content. Euroradio enhances public service radio with music and news exchanges, professional networking, and by promoting digital and hybrid radio. We have offices in Brussels, Rome, Moscow New York, Washington DC, Singapore, and Beijing. Our headquarters are in Geneva. Discover more about the EBU on www.ebu.ch.

ABOUT ABBA THE MUSEUM & POP HOUSE
In May 2013 Pop House opened its doors and the house has since then welcomed over 1 million visitors. Pop House is home to the world-renowned ABBA The Museum exhibition, which presents the history of Sweden’s all-time greatest pop group. The building also houses the History of Swedish Popular Music exhibition, featuring Roxette, Robyn, Ace of Base, Europe and some 400 other Swedish artists. Here, there is also the Swedish Music Hall of Fame, with new contributors to Sweden’s music heritage inducted each year. On the 7th of May European Broadcasting Union and ABBA The Museum will inaugurate the new exhibition about Eurovision Song Contest. Tickets are
valid for all exhibitions. Find out more at pophouse.se  Pop House also comprises a hotel, a restaurant & bar with over 130 seats, a café and a shop. Explore the pop house world and make sure you get the latest news from Pop House at pophouse.se


About ABBA The Museum

ABBA is one of the most successful pop groups of all time, having sold more than 380 million albums. At ABBA The Museum you can experience the band’s history, while taking part in it too by trying on virtual ABBA stage costumes, singing in the Polar Studio or mixing original music. You can also get up on stage with ABBA avatars and become the fifth member of ABBA. Your admission ticket has a QR code, which you can scan to activate the interactive features in the exhibition. You can also choose to save your visit, allowing you to download your material from our website and relive your visit when you get home. Enhance your museum experience with our unique Audioguide, featuring Agnetha, Benny, Björn and Frida narrating stories from their career. Our latest addition to the museum is “Arrival The Experience”, a virtual helicopter ride from ABBA The Museum out to the island of Viggsö in the Stockholm archipelago, where all the music magic started! Walk In. Dance Out.