The annual Eurovision Song Contest, one of the world’s most-watched non-sports events (and possibly #2 in Europe only to soccer), is weeks away from its finals, and is apparently worried about fan behavior in Lisbon’s Altice Arena.
Fans buying tickets for the event, broadcast all over Europe and beyond, have been given a long list of what not to bring, a list that’s already spurred thousands of social media protests and jokes.
Among the things not to bring are some that would seem obvious, like guns, bombs, crowbars, saw blades, handcuffs and chains. Among the less obvious are adhesive tape, rope, and ladders. And the one that’s provoked the most comment and laughter: supermarket shopping carts.
Organizers have warned that what is confiscated will not be returned, so leave your shopping for later.
The contest started 63 years ago as a project of the European Broadcasting Union, and now includes one contestant from each of 43 countries; the country whose champion wins gets the next year’s finals; the winning performer gets a moment in the spotlight, and a chance for something more; among winners who get their launch through Eurovision are ABBA and Celine Dion.
