Eurovision equals syrupy sound

Legions of Europeans are expected to watch the Eurovision Song Contest today, a durable expression of the continent’s unity -- and, to critics, its appreciation of saccharine music.

The pan-European musical talent show, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in the Ukrainian capital, Kiev, is a cavalcade of camp, kitsch and dubious taste with a TV audience of 150 million.

First staged in 1956, Eurovision introduced the world to ABBA -- 1974 winners with “Waterloo” -- and Canadian chanteuse Celine Dion, who won under a Swiss flag in 1988. More recent winners have tended to sink without a trace.

But that has not lessened the appeal of the competition. Seven countries participated in the first one; 39 entered this year, with 24 making it to today’s final.