MELODIFESTIVALEN Meaning and
Definition
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Melodifestivalen is a Swedish music competition that serves as the country's national selection process for the Eurovision Song Contest. Derived from the words "melodi" (melody) and "festivalen" (festival), Melodifestivalen literally translates as "The Melody Festival." It has gained significant popularity and become an integral part of Swedish culture since its inception in 1959.
The competition follows a televised format, wherein a variety of professional and popular artists compete against each other with original songs, hoping to represent Sweden at Eurovision. Melodifestivalen consists of a series of semi-finals, a second chance round, and a grand final. Each semi-final features around seven artists, out of which two directly advance to the final. The remaining artists get another opportunity in the second chance round, where they compete for four additional spots in the final.
The grand final of Melodifestivalen is the pinnacle of the competition, featuring a selection of the best performers from the semi-finals and the second chance round. The winner is determined by a combined voting system, where both the viewers at home and an international jury panel contribute their votes. The victorious artist secures the honor of representing Sweden at the Eurovision Song Contest, earning the opportunity to perform on an international stage.
Melodifestivalen has become an important platform for Swedish music and artists, as participating in the competition can bring significant exposure and potential success in the music industry. The event attracts millions of viewers and is highly anticipated each year, making it a significant cultural event in Sweden.
Etymology of MELODIFESTIVALEN
The word "Melodifestivalen" is a combination of two terms: "melodi" and "festivalen", both of Swedish origin.
- "Melodi" derives from the Greek word "melos" meaning "song" or "tune". It was likely borrowed into Swedish during the 17th or 18th century.
- "Festivalen" stems from the Latin word "festivus", which means "festive" or "joyful". It entered Swedish through Old French and later Middle Low German influences during the medieval era.
When combined, "melodi" and "festivalen" create "Melodifestivalen", which describes a specific annual music competition in Sweden, often referred to as "The Melody Festival" in English.
