The competition is run by an opaque Swiss organization that wants to sidestep controversies that could spoil the fun.

Competition in the Eurovision Song Contest has kicked off with the first of two semifinals. Ten acts from among 15 countries that performed were voted through by voters to the final of the pan-continental music extravaganza.

Celine Dion made a surprise video appearance at Eurovision on Tuesday, 37 years after winning the song contest for this year’s host nation, Switzerland.