See link: http://www.eurovision.tv/page/stockholm-2016/all-participants

Eurovision Song Contest

Eurovision Song Contest 2016

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Eurovision Song Contest 2016 Come Together
Dates
Semi-final 1 date	10 May 2016
Semi-final 2 date	12 May 2016
Final date	14 May 2016
Host
Venue	Ericsson Globe, Stockholm, Sweden
Presenter(s)	Petra Mede Måns Zelmerlöw
Director	Sven Stojanović
Executive supervisor	Jon Ola Sand
Executive producer	Johan Bernhagen Martin Österdahl
Host broadcaster	Sveriges Television (SVT)
Opening act	Semi-final 1: "Heroes" performed by Måns Zelmerlöw[1]
Participants
Number of entries	42
Debuting countries	None
Returning countries	Bosnia and Herzegovina  Bulgaria  Croatia  Ukraine
Withdrawing countries	Portugal  Romania
Participation map[hide]      Participating countries     Countries that participated in the past but not in 2016
Vote
Voting system	Each country awards two sets of 12, 10, 8–1 points to their 10 favourite songs: one from their professional jury and the other from televoting.
Eurovision Song Contest
◄2015 • 2016 • 2017►

The Eurovision Song Contest 2016 will be the 61st edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. It will take place in the Ericsson Globe in Stockholm, Sweden, following Sweden's victory at the 2015 contest in Vienna with the song "Heroes", performed by Måns Zelmerlöw. This will be the third time the contest has taken place in Stockholm, after 1975 and 2000, the latter also being held at the Globe. The contest will consist of two semi-finals on 10 and 12 May and the final on 14 May 2016. The three live shows will be hosted by Zelmerlöw and Petra Mede.

Forty-two countries will participate. Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia and Ukraine will return after absences from recent contests, while Australia will also return after debuting as a special guest in 2015. Portugalwithdrew, largely due to their national broadcaster's insufficient promotion of their music-based media, as well as a poorly structured selection process, while Romania had originally planned to participate, but was forced to withdraw due to repeated non-payment of debts by their national broadcaster to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). The contest will also be the first to implement a new voting system since 1975, with each country now awarding two sets of points: one from their professional jury and another from tele voting.

Walpurgis Night

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Walpurgis Night (Valborgsmässoafton in Swedish, Vappu in Finnish, Volbriöö in Estonian, Valpurģu nakts or Valpurģi in Latvian, Walpurgisnacht in German), Čarodějnice in Czech is a holiday celebrated on April 30 or May 1, in Finland, Sweden, Bohemia(Czech Republic), Estonia, Latvia and Germany.

Origins[change | change source]

The festival is named after Saint Walburga (known in Scandinavia as "Valborg"; alternative forms are "Walpurgis", "Wealdburg", or "Valderburger"), born in Wessex in 710 a niece of Saint Boniface. According to legend, she was a daughter to the Saxonprince St. Richard. Together with her brothers she travelled to Württemberg, Germany where she became a nun and lived in the convent of Heidenheim, which was founded by her brother Wunibald. Walburga died on 25 February 779 and that day still carries her name in the Catholic calendar. However she was not made a saint until 1 May in the same year, and that day carries her name in the Swedish calendar.

Historically the Walpurgisnacht is derived from Pagan spring customs, where the arrival of spring was celebrated with bonfires at night. Viking fertility celebrations took place around April 30 and due to Walburga being declared a saint at that time of year, her name became associated with the celebrations. Walburga was worshipped in the same way that Vikings had celebrated spring and as they spread throughout Europe, the two dates became mixed together and created

St. Patrick's Day in Ireland

St Patrick's Day (Lá Fhéile Pádraig) is Ireland's national holiday. People hold parades and festivals to celebrate Irish culture on the day.

The shamrock is a popular symbol that is seen on St Patrick's Day.

©iStockphoto.com/donna rae moratelli

What Do People Do?

People throughout Ireland hold parades and festivals that celebrate Irish culture. The largest parade is in Dublin. Many towns and villages also have their own parade. Local musicians often perform during the parades. Week long festivals of Irish visual and performing arts and music are held in many regions. The atmosphere is welcoming and friendly.

Public Life

Banks, post offices and many other businesses and organizations are closed in Ireland on St Patrick's Day. However, stores and pubs are generally open, although they may open later and close earlier than usual. Public transport service schedules vary depending on where one lives and intends to travel. There may be some local disruption to traffic because of the parades and large scale celebrations, particularly in Dublin. If March 17 falls on a Sunday, the public holiday is on Monday, March 18.

Background

St Patrick was born in 387 CE and grew up near the present day border between Scotland and England. He was taken to Ireland as a slave when he was 16. He fled back to Great Britain after six years before returning to Ireland as a missionary later in his life. He played an important role in converting Ireland's inhabitants to Christianity. According to legend, he drove all snakes from the island, although these "snakes" probably represent a particular group of pagans or druids.

Many Christians believe that Patrick died on March 17 in the year 461 CE or 493 CE. He is buried under Down Cathedral in Downpatrick, County Down. He was never formally canonized but many Christian churches view him as a saint. St Patrick, St Brigid of Kildare and St Columba are Ireland's patron saints.

St Patrick's Day became a public holiday in Ireland due to the Bank Holiday (Ireland) Act 1903. It is also celebrated around the world, particularly in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States. 

Symbols

The shamrock, the Republic of Ireland's flag, and the colors green, white and orange are St Patrick's Day symbols. The shamrock is the leaf of the clover plant and an Irish Catholic symbol of the Holy Trinity. It is also a symbol of Ireland and a registered trademark of the Republic of Ireland. The Republic of Ireland's flag is twice as wide as it is high and consists of three vertical bars colored green, white and orange.

February 28 2016

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Martin Luther King Day in United States

Martin Luther King Day is a federal holiday held on the third Monday of January. It celebrates the life and achievements of Martin Luther King Jr., an influential American civil rights leader. He is most well-known for his campaigns to end racial segregation on public transport and for racial equality in the United States.

"The Stone Of Hope" memorial by master sculptor Lei Yixin was opened to the public in West Potomac Park, Washington DC, on August 22, 2011. 

©iStockphoto.com/Camrocker

What Do People Do?

Martin Luther King Day is a relatively new federal holiday and there are few long standing traditions. It is seen as a day to promote equal rights for all Americans, regardless of their background. Some educational establishments mark the day by teaching their pupils or students about the work of Martin Luther King and the struggle against racial segregation and racism. In recent years, federal legislation has encouraged Americans to give some of their time on this day as volunteers in citizen action groups.

Martin Luther King Day, also known as Martin Luther King’s birthday and Martin Luther King Jr Day, is combined with other days in different states. For example, it is combined with Civil Rights Day in Arizona and New Hampshire, while it is observed together with Human Rights Day in Idaho. It is also a day that is combined with Robert E. Lee’s birthday in some states. The day is known as Wyoming Equality Day in the state of Wyoming.

Public Life

Martin Luther King Day is a federal holiday, but has slightly different names in some states. Non-essential Government departments are closed, as are many corporations. Some schools and colleges close but others stay open and teach their students about the life and work of Martin Luther King.

Small companies, such as grocery stores and restaurants tend to be open, although a growing number are choosing to close on this day. Some compensate by opening on Washington's Birthday instead. Recent federal legislation encourages Americans to give some of their time on Martin Luther King Day as volunteers in citizen action groups. Public transit systems may or may not operate on their regular schedule.

Background

Martin Luther King was an important civil rights activist. He was a leader in the movement to end racial segregation in the United States. His most famous address was the "I Have A Dream" speech. He was an advocate of non-violent protest and became the youngest man to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. He was assassinated in 1968.

In 1968, shortly after Martin Luther King died, a campaign was started for his birthday to become a holiday to honor him. After the first bill was introduced, trade unions lead the campaign for the federal holiday. It was endorsed in 1976. Following support from the musician Stevie Wonder with his single "Happy Birthday" and a petition with six million signatures, the bill became law in 1983. Martin Luther King Day was first observed in 1986, although it was not observed in all states until the year 2000. In 1990, the Wyoming legislature designated Martin Luther King Jr/Wyoming Equality Day as a legal holiday.

Quick Facts

Martin Luther King Day marks the anniversary of the date of birth of the influential American civil right leader of the same name. 

Martin Luther King Day 2016

Monday, January 18, 2016

The Story of Thanksgiving